HSE inspections up 47% - HSE carried out over 13,200 workplace inspections in 2024/25.
Fire Safety
Compliance & Risk Assessment
RRO · PAS 79 · Fire Safety Act 2021 · Building Safety Act 2022
Fire risk assessments, fire safety audits, and compliance reviews by competent fire risk assessors. Expert support with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and post-Grenfell legislation.
Free Health & Safety Gap Analysis
30-minute Compliance Call Valued at £750+
What Happens on Your Free Gap Analysis Call:
- 1.30-minute consultation
- 2.We review your current H&S arrangements
- 3.We identify 1-10 critical compliance gaps you're missing
Identify 1+ gaps, or you receive a £50 gift card. Only 20 consultations are available every month.
Fire Risk Assessment & Fire Safety Management Services
Protecting People, Property & Legal Compliance
Fire safety is one of the most critical legal responsibilities placed on employers, building owners, and the Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO). The Grenfell Tower tragedy underscored a hard truth: fire safety failures have devastating consequences and are almost always preventable. Arinite provides professional fire risk assessments, fire safety reviews, fire warden training, and ongoing fire safety management support — helping UK organisations meet their legal duties, protect building occupants, and maintain robust fire safety management systems.
Book a Free Fire Safety Gap AnalysisWhy Fire Safety Remains a Critical Workplace Issue
Fire safety legislation in the UK has evolved in response to past tragedies, yet serious failures continue to occur when fire risks are not adequately assessed, managed, and reviewed.
High-profile incidents such as:
Bradford City Football Club Fire (1985) — 56 deaths
King's Cross Underground Fire (1987) — 31 deaths
Grenfell Tower Tragedy (2017) — 72 deaths
Each led to significant regulatory reform, improvements in fire prevention standards, and more transparent legal accountability for the Responsible Person.
Despite these reforms, HSE enforcement data and fire authority investigations continue to show that inadequate fire risk assessments, poor fire safety management, and lack of competence remain the most common root causes of fire safety failures.
The Legal Framework for Fire Safety in England & Wales
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO)
In England and Wales, fire safety in non-domestic premises is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO). This legislation replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law and places clear legal duties on the Responsible Person to manage fire risks proactively. The Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Act 2022 extended these duties to the external walls and common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings.
Who Is the Responsible Person for Fire Safety?
Under the RRO, the Responsible Person for fire safety is the person who has control of the premises. You are likely the Responsible Person if you are:
An employer in respect of any workplace
A building owner or landlord
A managing agent or facilities manager
An occupier who has control of the premises or part of it
Any other person with control to any extent over the premises
The Responsible Person is legally accountable for ensuring that suitable and sufficient fire safety arrangements are in place. In multi-occupied buildings, multiple Responsible Persons may share duties.
Your Core Fire Safety Duties Under the RRO
As the Responsible Person, you must:
Carry Out a Fire Risk Assessment
Identify all fire hazards and ignition sources
Identify people at risk — including vulnerable occupants, disabled persons, and visitors
Evaluate existing fire precautions and control measures
Determine what additional measures are needed
Record your findings (mandatory for 5+ employees or if premises are licensed)
Ensure Occupant Safety
Provide adequate means of escape and keep escape routes clear
Install and maintain appropriate fire detection and warning systems
Provide emergency lighting where required
Display fire safety signage and emergency action notices
Consider vulnerable occupants, night-time use, and building complexity
Use a Competent Fire Risk Assessor
Ensure a competent person carries out fire risk assessments
Competence requires relevant knowledge, training, and practical experience
Consider using assessors certified by recognised bodies (e.g. IFE, BAFE)
Review Fire Safety Arrangements Regularly
Review fire risk assessments at least annually — or more frequently for higher-risk premises
Review immediately after significant changes to the building, occupancy, or work activities
Review following any fire incident, false alarm, or near miss
Document all reviews with dates and any changes made
Penalties for fire safety non-compliance include unlimited fines, up to 2 years' imprisonment (or life imprisonment in cases involving death), enforcement and prohibition notices, and prosecution of individuals including directors and building managers.
Learning From Tragedy — Applying the Lessons of Grenfell
The Grenfell Tower tragedy led to:
A full public inquiry (Grenfell Tower Inquiry)
The independent Hackitt Review of Building Regulations and fire safety
The Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Act 2022
Increased scrutiny of fire risk assessment competence and building safety management
The key lesson is clear:
Fire safety must be actively managed, regularly reviewed, and never assumed.
Fire risk assessments must be:
Suitable and sufficient — proportionate to the fire risk
Site-specific — not generic templates
Kept up to date — reviewed regularly and after changes
Actively implemented — with actions completed and monitored
Fire Safety Services From Arinite
Arinite provides comprehensive fire safety services to organisations of all sizes and sectors across the UK:
Fire Risk Assessments
Conducted by competent fire risk assessors
Fully aligned with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Practical, site-specific assessments with clear risk ratings
PAS 79-compliant documentation
Premises Fire Safety Reviews
Detailed inspection of buildings, layouts, and compartmentation
Identification of fire hazards, ignition sources, and fuel sources
Assessment of escape routes, fire doors, and fire protection measures
Fire Safety Action Plans
Clear, prioritised recommendations with risk ratings
Time-bound actions with assigned responsibilities
Practical guidance on implementation and cost-effective solutions
Fire Safety Training
Fire awareness training for all staff
Fire warden and fire marshal training
Emergency evacuation procedures and drills
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for vulnerable occupants
Fire Safety Management Systems
Fire safety policies and procedures
Ongoing fire safety compliance monitoring
Fire log books and maintenance records
Integration with wider health and safety management systems
Expert Fire Safety Advice
Support for fire authority inspections and enforcement visits
Building Safety Act compliance guidance
Ongoing fire safety advisory and competent person support
Who Needs a Fire Risk Assessment?
Fire safety duties under the RRO apply to virtually all non-domestic premises and the common areas of multi-occupied residential buildings, including:
Offices and commercial premises
Retail premises, shops, and shopping centres
Industrial, manufacturing, and warehouse premises
Educational facilities — schools, colleges, and universities
Healthcare settings — hospitals, care homes, and clinics
Hotels, guest houses, and hospitality venues
Residential buildings with shared areas (flats, HMOs)
Places of worship, community centres, and leisure facilities
If people work in, visit, sleep in, or occupy your premises, the fire safety duties under the RRO apply to you.
Why Choose Arinite for Fire Safety?
IOSH Chartered Health & Safety professionals
Competent fire risk assessors with practical experience
Practical, proportionate fire safety advice — not over-engineered solutions
PAS 79 compliant fire risk assessment documentation
Clear reports suitable for fire authority inspectors and insurers
Ongoing support beyond the assessment — not just a one-off report
We focus on fire prevention, not just compliance paperwork.
Start With a Free Fire Safety Review
Not sure if your fire safety arrangements meet the requirements of the RRO? The fastest way to find out is a professional fire safety gap analysis from our IOSH Chartered consultants.
Book a Free Fire Safety Gap Analysis CallFire safety compliance review valued at £750+
The Arinite Transformation™
From Reactive Firefighting to Proactive Health & Safety Compliance
REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)
What It Looks Like:
No formal HSE systems in place. Everything is reactive, waiting for something to go wrong. Documentation is missing or outdated.
Why It's Dangerous:
- ✗£50K-£150K average fine when (not if) HSE inspects
- ✗Can't bid on contracts requiring HSE certification
- ✗One accident away from director prosecution
This isn't just "non-compliant." It's criminally negligent. Directors face personal prosecution.
REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)
What It Looks Like:
No formal HSE systems in place. Everything is reactive, waiting for something to go wrong. Documentation is missing or outdated.
Why It's Dangerous:
- ✗£50K-£150K average fine when (not if) HSE inspects
- ✗Can't bid on contracts requiring HSE certification
- ✗One accident away from director prosecution
This isn't just "non-compliant." It's criminally negligent. Directors face personal prosecution.
COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)
What It Looks Like:
Basic HSE documentation is in place. Minimum legal requirements met. You can pass a basic audit.
Why It's Better (But Not Enough):
- ✓Legal protection (no fines if inspected)
- ✓Can bid on contracts requiring certification
- ✓Pass basic client audits
- ✗Still reactive (problems arise, then you respond)
- ✗Compliance maintained by one person (bottleneck)
- ✗Systems don't run themselves
Compliance is where most consultants get you, then leave. You're legal, but you're not optimised.
COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)
What It Looks Like:
Basic HSE documentation is in place. Minimum legal requirements met. You can pass a basic audit.
Why It's Better (But Not Enough):
- ✓Legal protection (no fines if inspected)
- ✓Can bid on contracts requiring certification
- ✓Pass basic client audits
- ✗Still reactive (problems arise, then you respond)
- ✗Compliance maintained by one person (bottleneck)
- ✗Systems don't run themselves
Compliance is where most consultants get you, then leave. You're legal, but you're not optimised.
PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)
What It Looks Like:
Systems run proactively (prevent problems before they occur). Compliance is distributed (not dependent on one person). HSE becomes a competitive advantage, not a cost centre.
Why It's Transformational:
- ✓Win more contracts (HSE certification opens doors)
- ✓Save 20+ hours/week (systems run themselves)
- ✓Peace of mind (sleep soundly, without the fear of prosecution)
- ✓Focus on your core business while we handle compliance
That's why 95%+ of clients renew year after year.
PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)
What It Looks Like:
Systems run proactively (prevent problems before they occur). Compliance is distributed (not dependent on one person). HSE becomes a competitive advantage, not a cost centre.
Why It's Transformational:
- ✓Win more contracts (HSE certification opens doors)
- ✓Save 20+ hours/week (systems run themselves)
- ✓Peace of mind (sleep soundly, without the fear of prosecution)
- ✓Focus on your core business while we handle compliance
That's why 95%+ of clients renew year after year.
The Arinite Difference:
Other consultants get you to Stage 2 (Compliant) and disappear.
We get you to Stage 3 (Proactive) and keep you there.
That's why we call it transformation, not just compliance.
"We work with you to deliver peace of mind. We tailor our service provision to your business to provide proactive, pragmatic health and safety advice and that helps reduce costs by ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety legislation."
Robert Winsloe
Managing Director
From Hidden Gaps to Compliance
Our proven 3-step system has helped over 1,000 businesses eliminate enforcement risk, pass inspections, and protect directors from personal liability.
No guesswork. No generic templates. No box-ticking.
Free Health and Safety Gap Analysis Call
Identify what's missing before an inspector does.
A focused 30-minute health and safety assessment to expose weaknesses in your current arrangements.
What you get:
→ You leave knowing exactly where you're exposed and what to do about it.
Health and Safety Audit
Turn risk into documented compliance, fast.
We conduct a comprehensive health and safety audit of your workplace and ensure everything inspectors expect to see is in place. This covers risk assessments, workplace safety inspections, health and safety policy documentation, and every gap identified in Step 1.
What's included:
→ You move from exposed to defensible with evidence to prove it.
Outsource Your Health & Safety - The Arinite Partnership
We become your health and safety department. Your competent person. Your compliance team.
No chasing updates. No need to worry about changes in health and safety laws. No need to wonder if you've missed something. You focus on your core day-to-day business, Arinite handle the rest.
What we take ownership of:
→ Compliance handled. Risk controlled. Directors protected.
Why This Works
Most enforcement actions arise from systems being assumed rather than proven.
We don't advise. We don't hand over templates.
We build, implement, and maintain end-to-end health and safety compliance, and when we identify an action item, we proactively pursue and resolve it. That's the difference.
Find an Arinite Consultant Near You
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What 1,500+ Businesses Say About Their Health & Safety Consultants
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Trusted by Industry Leaders
Join 1,500+ organisations that trust Arinite as their health and safety consultants.
Join 1,500+ organisations that trust Arinite as their health and safety consultants.
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Get in Touch
Have a question or need expert advice? We're here to help.
Free Health & Safety Gap Analysis
30-minute Compliance Call Valued at £750+
What Happens on Your Free Gap Analysis Call:
- 1.30-minute consultation
- 2.We review your current H&S arrangements
- 3.We identify 1-10 critical compliance gaps you're missing
Identify 1+ gaps, or you receive a £50 gift card. Only 20 consultations are available every month.
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29 Throgmorton St
London EC2N 2AT
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