Commercial Fire Risk Assessments | Office & SME

What commercial clients need

Done properly. Not over-complicated.

A commercial office, retail unit or SME premises is not a low-stakes fire safety environment — the FSO applies, the Responsible Person has legal duties, and enforcement can and does happen in this sector. But it is also not a care home or a higher risk building. A well-managed commercial office carries a manageable risk profile, and a proportionate assessment reflects that.

SimplyNeat does not treat every commercial assessment as a complex instruction requiring extensive narrative. It provides a clear, complete report — an accurate picture of the fire safety position, a risk rating that reflects reality, and an action plan the Responsible Person can actually implement. No padding. No findings inflated to demonstrate thoroughness.

The fixed fee model is part of that. The fee is agreed in advance, before the assessment takes place. What SimplyNeat charges for an office assessment is not adjusted upward after the fact because the building turned out to be slightly larger than expected. The quote is the fee. That applies nationwide and to commercial fire risk assessments throughout Hampshire, where SimplyNeat is based.

An honest position on this sector

SimplyNeat's primary specialism is in higher-complexity sectors — care homes, HRBs, licensed premises, industrial. Commercial offices and SME premises are assessed to the same professional standard — personally by Brian Neat — but at fees that reflect their relative risk profile. The Responsible Person for a commercial office gets the same quality of assessment and report. They do not pay for specialist complexity they don't need.

What the assessment covers

Hazard and risk identification — ignition sources, fuel loads, structural risk and occupancy factors relevant to the specific premises

Means of escape — escape routes, travel distances, exit provision, corridor and stairwell arrangements, final exit suitability

Fire detection and alarm — type, coverage and adequacy of detection and alarm systems for the premises and its occupancy

Emergency lighting and signage — coverage, condition and adequacy for the escape routes and occupied areas

Fire-fighting equipment — extinguisher type, provision, siting, condition and maintenance records

Structural fire protection — fire doors, compartmentation and service penetrations where relevant to the premises configuration

Management procedures — fire action plan, emergency procedures, staff training, contractor management and fire log arrangements

Full written report — overall risk rating, prioritised action plan and photographic evidence of findings, written for the Responsible Person and suitable for production to the enforcing authority

Fees: SimplyNeat Fire Solutions Ltd is not VAT registered. Fees are as quoted. Commercial assessments are quoted on the basis of premises size and complexity. The fee is fixed and agreed in advance.

Common questions

Commercial fire risk assessments — frequently asked.

Does a small office, shop or SME really need a fire risk assessment?

Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to virtually all non-domestic premises, including offices, retail units and small business premises. The Responsible Person must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and kept up to date — the duty does not depend on the size of the business.

We have fewer than five employees — do we still need one?

The duty to assess applies regardless of headcount. What changes at five or more employees is that the significant findings of the assessment must be recorded in writing. Below five you are not strictly required to record it, but doing so is strongly advised — a written assessment is the practical way to demonstrate compliance if the fire and rescue service ever asks.

How often does a commercial fire risk assessment need reviewing?

It must be kept up to date rather than renewed on a fixed calendar date, but a yearly review is the sensible working rule for most offices and SME premises — and it should be reviewed sooner after a change of layout, use or occupancy, or a significant alteration to the building.

Will the assessment be over-engineered for a low-risk office?

No. A well-managed office carries a manageable risk profile and the assessment should reflect that. Every SimplyNeat assessment is carried out personally by Brian Neat to the same professional standard, but findings are proportionate to the actual risk — no padding, no findings inflated to look thorough — and the fee is fixed and agreed in advance.

Commercial Offices & SME

Done properly. Not over-complicated.

Commercial fire risk assessments — frequently asked.

Get a fixed fee for your commercial premises assessment.

Commercial Offices & SME

Done properly. Not over-complicated.

Commercial fire risk assessments — frequently asked.

Related premises types

Get a fixed fee for your commercial premises assessment.