All workplaces (e.g. offices, educational premises, places of assembly, factories and warehouses, sleeping accommodation, care homes, healthcare premises, theatres/cinemas, transport premises), and buildings containing 2 or more sets of domestic premises (e.g. blocks of flats, and HMOs)

 For workplaces, the fire risk assessment process is broadly the same for all premises types. For buildings containing 2 or more sets of domestic premises (e.g. blocks of flats, HMOs) there are 4 types of FRAs:

Type 1 is non-destructive and covers the common areas only (and the status of the flat entrance doors from the common areas)

Type 2 is destructive and covers the common areas only

Type 3 is non-destructive and covers the common areas and individual dwellings,

Type 4 is destructive and covers the common areas and individual dwellings.

SAMS can only carry out Type 1 and Type 3 fire risk assessments.

Any non-domestic premises, and any residential building that is below 18m in height and/or is less than 7 storeys.

SAMS do not carry out FRAs on high-rise residential buildings.

Yes, the assessor will need to meet with and liaise with a designated site contact during the assessment visit, who has good knowledge of the premises and is able to provide available fire safety documentation, and answer the assessors questions as best as they can.

The cost varies significantly depending on the type and size of the premises, so there is no fixed price. However typically we would suggest that prices tend to start at £440+VAT for smaller FRAs in Kent, and increase according to the size and complexity, and distance of the premises.

For small holiday lets, the cost is lower than this.

SAMS have a network of competent fire risk assessors that hold a relevant Fire Safety Risk Assessment Qualification, and are either registered with the National Fire Risk Assessors Register (NFRAR) at Intermediate Level, accredited as members of either the IFSM, FPA or IFPO or a combination of both.

 Southeast England (Kent, Surrey, Sussex, London, Essex etc.)

Typically within 1 week, although for significantly larger/ more complex premises it may be slightly longer.

Fire risk assessments are not simple pass/fail exercises, the premises will receive an overall Risk Rating depending on the severity of the fire risk. This is from Trivial, Tolerable, Moderate, Substantial, Intolerable.

All actions issued will be clearly set out within the action plan of the assessment, and the assessor will brief the designated site contact on the actions identified at the time of the visit.

Yes, the Responsible Person is required to have a fire risk assessment completed on their premises by a competent person, regardless of how many employees they have.

No, SAMS strongly argue that fire risk assessments need to be carried out physically in person at the actual premises being assessed, and should not be carried out online.