Fire safety advice for businesses in Reigate

Fire safety law for a small business does not start with a thick folder of paperwork. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places one requirement at the centre: identify what could cause a fire, decide who is at risk, and take steps to remove or reduce that risk. A cafe on Bell Street or an office near Reigate station must do this before opening its doors.

The specialist firm carrying out a [fire risk assessment in Reigate](/checks-and-training/fire-risk-assessment-reigate) examines escape routes, alarm systems, storage habits and staff routines. Workplace fire safety in Surrey follows the same legislation as anywhere else in England, but local building types matter. Victorian terraces converted into shops behave differently from modern units on a retail park.

Leaflets often stop at generalities. The real obligation is to produce a written record if five or more people work there, keep it current, and act on what it says. That written record is the assessment itself.

Every non-domestic premises has a responsible person. For a shop on Reigate High Street that employs staff and has a flat above it, the duty usually falls on the employer for the retail space. The flat adds another layer. If the building is mixed-use, the freeholder or managing agent may hold duties for shared parts like stairwells and landings.

Understanding [responsible person fire safety duties](/who-needs-what/responsible-person-duties) means knowing where one obligation ends and another begins. A landlord renting rooms to students faces different requirements from someone running a hair salon. When boundaries blur, a [nominated fire safety person](/checks-and-training/nominated-person-service-reigate) can take on the coordination so nothing slips between two parties.

If you run a business and also own the building, you likely hold both roles. If you lease only part of it, your duty covers the area you control. The specialist maps this out during the visit.

A common worry is disruption. A commercial premises fire assessment does not require closing the doors to customers. The assessor walks through the building, checks fire doors, looks at extinguisher placements, notes exit signage and observes how staff move through the space. They ask questions about routines, deliveries and waste storage.

Most of this happens in the background. Customers in a Reigate bookshop or a sandwich bar will barely notice. The specialist might need access to a back room, a riser cupboard or the roof void, but they work around trading hours. If you need [fire safety help in Redhill](/reigate-and-redhill/redhill) or Horley, the same applies: the visit fits around your day.

Preparation helps. Having floor plans available and knowing where your alarm panel sits saves time. But even without those, the assessor builds the picture on site.

After the visit, the written assessment usually arrives within a few working days. It sets out the hazards found, the people at risk, the measures already in place and the actions required. Each action carries a priority and a suggested timescale.

The report is not a certificate to file away. It is a working document. If it recommends installing additional emergency lighting or replacing a damaged fire door seal, those jobs need doing. A [fire door inspection](/checks-and-training/fire-door-inspection-reigate) might form part of the follow-up if gaps or broken hinges were spotted.

For larger buildings, the report may recommend a [compartmentation survey](/checks-and-training/compartmentation-survey-reigate) to check whether walls and floors will hold back smoke long enough for people to leave. The specialist explains every recommendation so you know why it matters.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service can inspect any non-domestic premises. If they find something missing, such as blocked exits or no written assessment, they can issue an enforcement notice. In serious cases, they can restrict use of the building until the problem is fixed. Having a current assessment and evidence that you acted on it changes that conversation entirely.

Insurers routinely ask for proof of a recent assessment at renewal. Most expect it to be less than twelve months old, or reviewed since any significant change to the building or how it is used. An outdated report is treated the same as having none.

How often should you review it? For an office or salon in Reigate where nothing has changed, an annual review keeps the document valid. If you alter the layout, add staff or change your opening hours, review it sooner. The guidance on [how often to review a fire risk assessment](/who-needs-what/how-often-reviewed) explains the triggers.

Once the report lists actions, the next step is to plan them. Some are quick fixes, like moving stock away from a heater. Others need contractors. Staff may need [fire safety awareness training](/checks-and-training/fire-safety-awareness-training-reigate) or a designated person might need [fire warden training](/checks-and-training/fire-warden-training-reigate) to manage evacuations. The specialist can advise on what fits your situation.