Read ahead to learn about the four types of fire risk assessment that building proprietors must consider, and when a more thorough assessment is necessary.
Those overseeing buildings carry a legal obligation to arrange fire risk assessments. If you need the full picture on that legal duty, who’s responsible, and what it costs, our guide to fire risk assessments for businesses and property owners covers it in detail. This guide focuses specifically on the four types of assessment and how to know which one your building needs.
What determines which type of fire risk assessment you need?
The right type of fire risk assessment depends on the building’s purpose, how it’s used, and what earlier inspections have found. Most buildings only ever need the most basic type, more thorough versions are only triggered when something specific warrants a closer look.
Type 1 fire risk assessment: non-intrusive, common areas only
Type 1 is the most common fire risk assessment by far, and the one most buildings will need. It’s non-intrusive, meaning no sampling or opening up of the building’s fabric, and it evaluates common areas only, shared lobbies, stairwells, and corridors in a block of flats, for example, rather than individual dwellings.
A Type 1 assessment does sometimes look at construction points between individual dwellings, such as shared supporting walls, but this isn’t the norm. Its main job is confirming that shared spaces allow for safe evacuation, checking things like clear entry and exit signage, escape route width, and fire door condition.
If a Type 1 assessment turns up something it can’t fully resolve, it will recommend a more detailed assessment and explain exactly why.
Type 2 fire risk assessment: intrusive, common areas only
Type 2 assessments are far less common, and they’re only recommended after a Type 1 has flagged serious structural concerns that could let fire spread. Unlike Type 1, this is an intrusive assessment, meaning it involves destructive sampling, opening up walls, floors, or ceilings to check what’s behind them, so it needs a specialist contractor and carries a higher cost.
Type 3 fire risk assessment: non-intrusive, common areas and individual flats
Type 3 goes beyond what’s legally required. It’s non-intrusive, like Type 1, but it extends the assessment into individual dwellings as well as common areas, looking closely at escape routes, structural condition, and fire compartmentation throughout the whole building. It’s usually only carried out when there’s reason to believe fire risks exist inside individual flats, not just in shared spaces.
Type 4 fire risk assessment: intrusive, common areas and individual flats
Type 4 is the most thorough assessment available, combining intrusive, destructive sampling with full access to individual dwellings as well as common areas. It’s considerably more complex to carry out than the other three types, since it requires access into people’s homes and may need repair work afterwards to make good any damage caused by sampling.
Type 4 is only recommended in limited circumstances, typically where there’s reason to believe both the common parts and individual dwellings have serious underlying defects.
Which type of fire risk assessment does your building need?
Most buildings, especially older ones already assessed previously, will be adequately covered by a Type 1 assessment. The more thorough types are generally only warranted when a Type 1 assessment uncovers a risk, or an inaccessible area, that justifies a closer look. For example, if a Type 1 assessment can’t confirm what’s behind a wall that should provide fire separation, it may recommend a Type 2 or Type 4 assessment to physically check.
What happens after an intrusive fire risk assessment?
Intrusive assessments often lead to remedial building work to address whatever risk they’ve uncovered, additional fire compartmentation, upgraded fire doors, or improved ventilation, for example. It’s worth budgeting for this possibility before committing to a Type 2 or Type 4 assessment, since the assessment itself is often only the first cost.
Asbestos considerations before intrusive assessments
If a building was constructed before 2000, asbestos needs to be considered before any destructive sampling takes place. A refurbishment and demolition survey identifies asbestos risk in the areas that will be opened up, and should be arranged ahead of any Type 2 or Type 4 fire risk assessment.
Who can carry out a fire risk assessment?
The responsible person must appoint a competent person to carry out the assessment. Our team of fire safety risk assessors is trained across commercial retail spaces, residential communal areas, and care homes, and can advise on exactly which type your building needs before any work begins.
Fire risk assessments across London
We carry out fire risk assessments right across the capital, with local teams covering Central London, North London, South London, East London and West London.
FAQs
What’s the difference between an intrusive and non-intrusive fire risk assessment?
A non-intrusive assessment (Types 1 and 3) doesn’t involve opening up the building’s structure. An intrusive assessment (Types 2 and 4) involves destructive sampling to check what’s behind walls, floors, or ceilings.
Do I need a Type 4 fire risk assessment?
Only if a previous assessment has flagged serious concerns in both the common areas and individual dwellings. Most buildings never need to go beyond a Type 1 assessment.
Does an intrusive fire risk assessment cost more?
Yes. Type 2 and Type 4 assessments require specialist contractors for sampling, and often lead to repair or remedial work afterwards, so they cost significantly more than a Type 1 assessment.
Get in touch
Contact our team or request a quote to find out which type of fire risk assessment your building needs. Contact us or request a quote online.
