You’re Not Alone If You Thought Your Small Business Didn’t Need a Fire Risk Assessment.
Most small business owners feel the same way — until they discover it’s a legal requirement. At 21fire, we help you sort it simply and confidently.
The Truth Most Small Business Owners Don’t Know. In 2014, a survey revealed that 90% of small business owners were unaware they are legally required to have a fire risk assessment. Even today, thousands of responsible owners like you still believe:
• “We’re too small — it doesn’t apply to us”
• “Our landlord takes care of it”
• “We’ve never had a problem, so we’re fine”
You’re in very good company. Recent Fire & Rescue Service audits (year ending March 2025) showed that only 58% of premises passed their first fire safety check. That means a huge number of businesses — many of them small — are still not fully compliant.
What the law actually says.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “responsible person” (usually the business owner or manager) must ensure a suitable fire risk assessment is carried out for almost all non-domestic premises.
Important update from the Building Safety Act 2022 (Section 156):
Since October 2023, every responsible person must record their fire risk assessment in full, along with the fire safety arrangements. This applies to all premises — there is no longer any exemption based on the number of employees.
The good news?
For most small, low-risk premises, the process is still straightforward and far less complicated than many people expect.
At 21fire, we make it simple, clear, and stress-free.
Why Get It Done with 21fire?
At 21fire, we specialise in clear, practical fire risk assessments for small businesses just like yours. No confusing jargon, no over-the-top requirements — just expert, proportionate help that protects your team, your customers, and your business. We make compliance easy, affordable, and stress-free.
With over 25 years of experience in the fire safety industry and trained to BS8674:2005 Level 3, you can be sure you are choosing a competent person to carry out your assessment. And our assessors are security vetted to BS7858 and DBS checked, giving you peace of mind to who you are letting into your premises.