Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs)
Professional fire safety assessments for landlords and property managers across all Edinburgh districts
Fire Risk Assessment Service
A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a systematic evaluation of your property to identify fire hazards, assess the risks to people, and determine what fire safety measures are necessary to minimize those risks.
At TotalTenantCare, our qualified fire risk assessors provide comprehensive FRAs for landlords and property managers across Edinburgh. We help you comply with fire safety legislation while ensuring the safety of your tenants and protection of your property investment.
What's Included in Our Fire Risk Assessment
- Identification of fire hazards and potential ignition sources
- Assessment of people at risk, including vulnerable occupants
- Evaluation of existing fire safety measures
- Inspection of fire detection and alarm systems
- Examination of escape routes, emergency lighting, and signage
- Assessment of fire-fighting equipment
- Review of fire safety management procedures
- Detailed written report with prioritized action plan
- Recommendations for improvements with timescales
Legal Requirements for Landlords
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
As a landlord or property manager in Edinburgh, you are legally required to:
- •Carry out a fire risk assessment of communal areas in buildings with multiple occupants
- •Identify and assess fire risks and hazards in the premises
- •Implement appropriate fire safety measures to minimize risk
- •Regularly review your fire risk assessment
- •Keep a written record of findings (mandatory for businesses with 5+ employees, but recommended for all)
Who Needs a Fire Risk Assessment?
Fire Risk Assessments are legally required for:
- •Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
- •Blocks of flats (for communal areas)
- •Shared houses
- •Commercial premises
- •Mixed-use buildings
While not specifically required for single-family rental properties, having an FRA is still considered best practice and provides evidence of due diligence regarding tenant safety.
Types of Fire Risk Assessments
Type 1: Common Areas Only (Basic)
Our standard fire risk assessment covering communal areas only, with non-destructive inspection:
- •Visual inspection of common areas
- •Assessment of escape routes
- •Fire doors and compartmentation check
- •Fire detection systems review
- •Suitable for most standard blocks of flats and HMOs
Type 2: Common Areas with Invasive Inspection
More detailed assessment including destructive inspection of common area construction:
- •All Type 1 elements plus:
- •Invasive inspection of walls, floors, and ceilings
- •Detailed fire compartmentation assessment
- •Verification of hidden fire safety measures
- •Recommended for older properties or where compartmentation concerns exist
Type 3: Common Areas and Units (Non-invasive)
Comprehensive assessment including inspection of individual flats/rooms:
- •All Type 1 elements plus:
- •Visual inspection of individual units
- •Assessment of means of escape from units
- •Smoke detector verification within units
- •Ideal for comprehensive safety assessment
Type 4: Common Areas and Units (Invasive)
The most thorough assessment, including destructive inspection of both common areas and individual units:
- •All Type 3 elements plus:
- •Invasive inspection within units
- •Detailed verification of fire stopping between units
- •Assessment of hidden structural fire protection
- •Recommended following fires or for high-risk buildings
Not sure which type of Fire Risk Assessment you need? Our fire safety experts can advise on the most appropriate assessment for your property type, age, and occupancy.
Contact Us for AdviceOur Fire Risk Assessment Process
Initial Consultation
We discuss your property's specific requirements, determine the type of assessment needed, and schedule a convenient time for the inspection.
On-Site Assessment
Our qualified fire risk assessor visits your property to conduct a thorough inspection, identifying fire hazards and evaluating existing fire safety measures according to the agreed assessment type.
Comprehensive Report
We produce a detailed Fire Risk Assessment report documenting all findings, including identified hazards, assessments of risk levels, and recommended actions with prioritization and timescales.
Recommendations Review
We walk you through the assessment findings and recommended actions, explaining prioritization and helping you understand what needs to be addressed immediately versus longer-term improvements.
Implementation Support
If desired, we can help implement the recommended fire safety improvements through our maintenance services or by connecting you with specialist contractors for more complex work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a Fire Risk Assessment be reviewed?
Fire Risk Assessments should be reviewed regularly, typically every 12 months, or sooner if there are significant changes to the property, its use, or occupancy. For high-risk premises, more frequent reviews may be necessary. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that FRAs are kept up to date, and many professional bodies recommend annual reviews as best practice.
How much does a Fire Risk Assessment cost?
The cost of a Fire Risk Assessment depends on the property type, size, complexity, and the type of assessment required. For a standard Type 1 assessment, prices typically start from £250 for a small HMO and increase based on property size and complexity. More comprehensive Type 3 or Type 4 assessments will be higher. Contact us for a customized quote based on your specific property requirements.
Who can carry out a Fire Risk Assessment?
Fire Risk Assessments must be carried out by a "competent person" with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge to identify fire risks and recommend appropriate measures. For complex properties, this should be a qualified fire risk assessor with recognized certifications. All our assessors hold qualifications from recognized bodies such as the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) or Fire Industry Association (FIA) and have extensive experience in the field.
What are the penalties for not having a Fire Risk Assessment?
Failure to have an adequate Fire Risk Assessment can result in serious penalties, including unlimited fines and up to two years imprisonment. Enforcement authorities can also issue prohibition notices that prevent a property from being used, resulting in lost rental income. Additionally, insurance policies may be invalidated if a proper FRA is not in place, potentially leaving landlords liable for all costs in case of fire damage.
Ensure fire safety compliance for your property
Our qualified fire risk assessors provide professional FRAs across all Edinburgh districts