Why Every Business Needs a Fire Risk Assessment

Fire safety is a legal responsibility — not a tick-box exercise. Whether your business is based in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment is a vital part of protecting your people, your premises, and your operations. In this blog, we’ll explain what a fire risk assessment involves, who needs one, and how Lagom Safety provides expert support across both sides of the border.

What is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A Fire Risk Assessment is a structured review of your premises to identify fire hazards, assess the level of risk, and put suitable measures in place to reduce or eliminate them. It should include:

• Identification of fire hazards (e.g. flammable materials, faulty wiring)
• People at risk (employees, visitors, contractors)
• Evaluation of current fire precautions
• Recommendations for improvement
• A written record (required for most businesses)
• Regular reviews and updates, especially after changes in staff, layout, or operations

Legal Requirements in NI and ROI

• In Northern Ireland, fire safety duties are covered by the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
• In the Republic of Ireland, fire safety is governed by the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003, and supported by building and workplace safety regulations.

In both regions, the responsible person (usually the employer or landlord) is legally obliged to ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and acted upon.

Who Needs a Fire Risk Assessment?

Any business or organisation that occupies a non-domestic premises must have a fire risk assessment in place. This includes:

• Offices
• Shops
• Warehouses and industrial units
• Hospitality venues (cafés, restaurants, hotels)
• Schools, nurseries, and healthcare settings
• Shared premises and HMOs

Even small or low-risk premises must complete an assessment — size does not exempt a business from responsibility.

Cross-Border Compliance

Lagom Safety works with businesses throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, offering fire risk assessments tailored to the regulations in each jurisdiction.

For companies operating across both, we ensure a unified approach to safety with fully compliant documentation and practical recommendations.

What We Offer

*Ongoing support for annual reviews or post-incident updates

*Site visits by qualified fire safety consultants

*Professionally written fire risk assessment reports

*Recommendations that are proportionate, practical, and industry-specific

*Assistance with implementing fire safety measures

*Fire door inspections and maintenance advice

Ensuring Compliance

Lagom Safety Ltd provides compliance support to businesses, helping them meet their legal obligations and maintain workplace safety. To learn more, get in touch and call 028 9099 9477 or alternatively email us @ hello@lagomsafety.com