Fire risk assessment in Manchester
Manchester has converted mills and warehouses, city-centre offices, shops and mixed-use buildings. A fire risk assessment needs to reflect the actual layout and use of your premises, rather than assuming that a Manchester address or a particular building size makes an online assessment suitable.
Serving Manchester businesses in the area covered by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. We are independent of the fire service.
Online from £25 + VAT (£30 total). PDF available after completion.
Fire safety duties in Manchester
Who is responsible?
For relevant premises in England, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. The assessment must consider people who may be affected, record significant findings and lead to action on the risks identified.
Local fire authority
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is the local fire and rescue service. Its guidance can help you understand your responsibilities, but this service is independent: a report bought here is not endorsed or automatically accepted by the fire service, an insurer or a solicitor.
Shared buildings
A shop or office in a shared building may depend on communal corridors, stairs, alarms and fire doors. Coordinate with the landlord and other occupiers. Do not assume that an assessment of your unit also assesses every common part or the whole building.
Is an online assessment suitable for your Manchester premises?
You need enough knowledge of the building, its occupants and activities to identify fire hazards and evaluate the precautions. An online assessment may help you document straightforward premises, but it does not inspect the building for you. If you cannot assess compartmentation, escape arrangements or risks to sleeping occupants confidently, get competent help. Do not select an online route solely because the premises are small.
Book a fire risk assessor in Manchester
The assessor visit option is £250 + VAT (£300 total) and includes an on-site inspection and written report. Use it when you need professional help with the assessment rather than only an online questionnaire. Describe the premises and the scope you need before booking if there are unusual or complex risks. Availability and the appointment must be confirmed separately; the visit report is not delivered instantly on payment.
Areas covered in Manchester
The online service is available for Manchester premises, including the city centre, Ancoats and the Northern Quarter. These areas contain a mix of older and newer buildings; location alone does not tell you whether self-assessment is appropriate. For a site visit, confirm that the appointment and assessment scope cover your exact address before relying on a booking.
Common Fire Risks in Manchester Properties
From Ancoats and the Northern Quarter to modern commercial developments, Manchester premises can have very different escape routes and construction. Inspect the building and record what you find. An online questionnaire is a way to document your assessment, not a substitute for understanding the premises or obtaining specialist advice.
Converted mills and warehouses
Changes of use can leave complex layouts, hidden voids or uncertainty about compartmentation. Where you cannot establish the condition or performance of construction, obtain competent specialist advice instead of guessing answers.
Mixed-use premises
Check how commercial activities interact with sleeping accommodation or neighbouring occupiers. Consider shared escape routes, kitchen and electrical ignition sources, storage and the arrangements for alerting everyone who may be affected.
Managing escape routes
Walk the actual routes used by staff and visitors. Check that exits are available while the premises are occupied, storage does not obstruct the route, and evacuation arrangements account for people who may need assistance.
Complete Your Manchester Fire Risk Assessment Online
- Inspect your premises and gather relevant maintenance, alarm and evacuation information before answering.
- Enter the property details and complete the guided assessment accurately. Seek competent advice where an answer is uncertain.
- After payment and completion, download the PDF. Review its findings and act on recommendations; the report does not itself remove hazards.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Online DIY: £25 + VAT (£30 total). Flats: £45 + VAT (£54 total). HMO: £80 + VAT (£96 total). An assessor visit is fixed at £250 + VAT (£300 total); appointment arrangements are confirmed separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I carry out the assessment myself?
You may carry out your own assessment if you have the knowledge, experience and understanding of the premises needed to identify hazards, evaluate risks and decide appropriate precautions. Straightforward premises may suit a guided online assessment. If you are unsure about escape routes, fire separation, sleeping accommodation or complex risks, seek competent help. Completing a questionnaire alone does not establish legal compliance.
Will a fire service, insurer or solicitor accept my report?
We cannot guarantee acceptance by a fire and rescue service, insurer, landlord or solicitor. Ask the organisation requesting the assessment what scope and competence it requires, including whether an on-site visit is needed. A building's small size or location does not establish suitability or acceptance.
What does the online PDF include?
The online report records your answers, a calculated risk score, identified findings and prioritised recommendations. The usefulness of the report depends on accurate information about the actual premises. Check the findings, assign actions and keep evidence of the precautions and maintenance you put in place.
How much does it cost?
The standard online DIY assessment costs £25 + VAT (£30 total). The separate flats assessment is £45 + VAT (£54 total), and the HMO assessment is £80 + VAT (£96 total). The advertised assessor visit is a fixed £250 + VAT (£300 total). Choose the appropriate scope before paying; contact us if the premises or required assessment are unusual.
When will I receive the report?
For the online option, the PDF is available after payment and completion of the assessment. Allow enough time to inspect the premises and answer accurately; there is no promised assessment duration. An assessor visit requires an appointment and a subsequent written report, not an instant online PDF.
How do I arrange an assessment in Manchester?
Use the existing online form to enter your Manchester premises details and choose the appropriate assessment. If you need professional help, use the assessor booking page instead. Booking availability and the appointment must be confirmed separately. Please contact support before buying if you are unsure which route meets your needs.
Further Guidance and Help
Read the government guidance on fire risk assessments and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This is general guidance for relevant premises in England, not an assessment of your building or a guarantee of acceptance.
For questions about the online service, contact support. Browse service areas or learn about fire risk assessment online.