Managing a small shop requires balancing stock, staff, and customer needs, often pushing fire safety down the priority list. Nevertheless, if you control a retail premises in the UK, compliance is non-negotiable. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 mandates a fire risk assessment for all business premises. You must document this assessment if your business employs five or more people.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO), the person responsible for a business premises must carry out a fire risk assessment. This applies to almost all non-domestic premises in England and Wales. There is no exemption based purely on the size of the business. Even a small corner shop or a boutique must have an up-to-date assessment in place.
Who is the Responsible Person?
For most small shops, the "Responsible Person" is straightforward. If you are the employer, the owner, or the landlord, the duty likely falls to you. If you share the building with other businesses, you may need to coordinate with other responsible persons to ensure safety is maintained across common areas, such as shared corridors or escape routes.
The law requires the Responsible Person to take "general fire precautions" to ensure the safety of employees and relevant persons (such as customers and delivery drivers). This means you must actively consider fire risks and how to remove or reduce them.
What does the assessment involve?
A fire risk assessment is a practical exercise that helps you identify fire hazards and people at risk. It is not about filling in complex forms for the sake of bureaucracy; it is about looking at your shop realistically and deciding how to keep people safe.
The process generally follows five key steps:
- Identify fire hazards: Look for sources of ignition (like cookers in a bakery or overloaded sockets), sources of fuel (packaging, stock, paper), and sources of oxygen (air conditioning or medical oxygen supplies).
- Identify people at risk: Consider staff, customers, and anyone who may be particularly vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with mobility issues.
- Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk: Assess how likely a fire is to start and how dangerous it would be. Remove hazards where possible and take steps to reduce remaining risks.
- Record, plan, inform, instruct and train: Write down your significant findings. Prepare an emergency plan and ensure staff know what to do in the event of a fire.
- Review: Update your assessment regularly or if there is a significant change in the workplace, such as a change in layout or stock levels.
Common hazards in small retail environments
Every shop is different, but small retail units often face similar issues. One of the most common problems is the storage of combustible materials. Cardboard packaging, paper goods, and certain textiles can act as fuel for a fire if not stored correctly. It is vital to keep escape routes clear and avoid storing stock in corridors or behind doors that might be needed for evacuation.
Electrical safety is another major concern. In small shops, it is common to see trailing cables, overloaded extension leads, or portable heaters used inappropriately. These are frequent causes of fire and should be managed through regular testing and sensible usage policies.
Do I need a professional assessor?
The law does not explicitly state that you must hire a professional to carry out the assessment. If your shop is very small, with simple layout and low risks (such as a newsagent with minimal stock), you may be able to complete the assessment yourself using guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or your local Fire and Rescue Service.
However, you must be "competent" to do so. Competence means having the necessary knowledge, training, and experience. If your shop has complex layouts, specific hazards (like flammable liquids), or if you simply do not have the time to fully understand the legal requirements, seeking professional help is the safest option.
Keeping your assessment current
A fire risk assessment is a living document. It is not a one-time task that you can tick off and forget. You must review it regularly. The HSE recommends a review every 12 months, but you must also conduct a review immediately if there is a change to your premises.
Changes that trigger a review include:
- Alterations to the internal layout, such as moving shelving units.
- Increasing the amount of stock stored on the premises.
- Changes to the number of staff employed.
- Introduction of new machinery or work processes.
How HawkSwift can help
Ensuring your shop is compliant does not have to be a burden. At HawkSwift, we specialise in providing practical, UK-compliant fire risk assessments tailored to small businesses. Our team includes NEBOSH-qualified assessors who understand the nuances of the RRO 2005 and current best practice.
We offer a streamlined service with reports delivered within 48 hours, giving you peace of mind quickly. Pricing is transparent and affordable, with fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT. We focus on clear, actionable advice that helps you protect your business without confusing jargon.
If you are unsure whether your current assessment meets legal standards, or if you need a new assessment for a small shop, get in touch with us today. You can book a fire risk assessment directly through our website.
Quick answers
Q: Do small shops need a fire risk assessment?
Yes, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all non-domestic premises in England and Wales must have a fire risk assessment. There is no exemption based purely on the size of the business.
Q: Who is responsible for fire safety in a small shop?
The employer, owner, or landlord is usually the "Responsible Person" under the law. If the building is shared with other businesses, you must coordinate with other responsible persons to manage safety in common areas.
Q: What are the five steps of a fire risk assessment?
You must identify fire hazards and people at risk, then evaluate, remove, or reduce these risks. Finally, you must record your findings, create an emergency plan, and review the assessment regularly.
