Every office in England and Wales must have a current fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — no matter how small. It identifies fire hazards, evaluates the risk to staff and visitors, and records the actions needed to keep your workplace safe.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Do offices legally need a fire risk assessment?
Yes. There is no size threshold — the duty applies from a single serviced desk to a multi-floor headquarters. If you are the employer, occupier or building manager, you are the Responsible Person and the assessment is your legal duty. In shared or multi-tenant buildings, each occupier is responsible for their own demise, and the building owner or managing agent for the common parts.
The assessment must be suitable and sufficient and kept under review. A generic template completed years ago and never revisited is unlikely to be considered adequate at the point of an inspection.
What an office fire risk assessment covers
Means of escape
Travel distances, exit widths, final exits and whether routes stay clear and usable.
Detection & alarm
Smoke and heat detection, the alarm system and whether warning reaches everyone.
Emergency lighting
Lighting on escape routes for a safe exit if the power fails.
Ignition & fuel sources
Electrical equipment, kitchens, server rooms, storage and combustible materials.
Signage & extinguishers
Fire-action notices, exit signage and the right firefighting equipment, maintained.
Management & training
Evacuation plan, drills, records and a named person responsible for fire safety.
How much does it cost for an office?
A straightforward single-floor office typically costs £200–£500; larger or multi-floor offices generally fall between £500 and £900. Open-plan layouts, server rooms, kitchens and shared escape routes can move the figure. See our full pricing guide for the detail.
When should you review it?
Review your office assessment at least once a year, and sooner after any of these:
·An office fit-out, refurbishment or change of layout
·A notable increase in staff or a change in how the space is used
·New equipment, storage or processes that change the fire risk
·A fire, near-miss, or contact from the fire authority or your insurer
Get a fixed quote for your office
An accredited assessor confirms your price and books a visit — no obligation.
The building operator usually assesses the common parts and shared escape routes, but you remain responsible for fire safety within your own demised space — and for cooperating with the building’s Responsible Person. For anything beyond a single desk, your own assessment is sensible.
Typically the employer or occupier for their own floor or suite, and the landlord or managing agent for shared areas. Where control is split, each party is a Responsible Person for the parts under their control and must coordinate.
For a small, low-risk office a competent employer with access to guidance may be able to. For most offices of any complexity, an accredited assessor gives a more reliable, defensible result and removes the risk of missing a hazard.