Retail Fire Risk Assessment
The legally compliant way for shop owners to produce a written fire risk assessment. Covers the specific risks of retail premises — public evacuation, fitting room arson, stock fuel loads, and after-hours security. Free to complete. £45 for the PDF report.
How it works
Produce a legally compliant retail fire risk assessment in three steps.
Complete the assessment
Answer structured questions covering fire hazards, escape routes, detection systems, fitting room safety, stock combustibility, basement storage, customer evacuation training, and after-hours arson prevention.
Review findings & action plan
FRASafe generates a prioritised action plan for any deficiencies found. Review, sign your declarations as Responsible Person, and pay £45 to generate your report.
Download your PDF report
Your fire risk assessment PDF is ready to keep on file, share with your insurer, landlord, or fire service on request.
Built for retail premises
Not a generic template — FRASafe addresses the specific fire risks of retail shops.
Public evacuation
Questions covering customer evacuation training — staff must know to actively direct, not follow, customers to exits. Includes customer-visible signage checks.
Fitting room arson risk
Dedicated fitting room smoke detection checks — fitting rooms are a statistically documented arson risk not covered by corridor detection systems.
Works offline
Complete your assessment on site — even without Wi-Fi. Data syncs automatically when you reconnect.
After-hours arson prevention
Covers the leading cause of serious retail fires — combustible waste left adjacent to the building overnight and after-hours CCTV provision.
Simple pricing
No subscription. No hidden fees. Pay once per report.
- PAS 79-1:2020 aligned methodology
- Retail-specific: fitting rooms, stock fuel loads, arson risk
- Customer evacuation and after-hours security checks
- Legally compliant PDF instantly downloadable
- Action plan with statutory references
- Free to complete — pay only when you download
No card required to start — pay only when you download
Frequently asked questions
Does my shop legally need a fire risk assessment?
Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO 2005) applies to all retail premises. As the employer or person in control of the premises, you are the Responsible Person and must carry out a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment. Since October 2023, the Building Safety Act 2022 requires the assessment to be recorded in writing for all businesses.
How is a retail fire risk assessment different from a standard one?
Retail premises have specific fire safety considerations not present in residential or office settings: customers who are unfamiliar with exit routes must be actively directed to exits by trained staff; fitting rooms and changing areas carry a statistically significant arson risk and require specific smoke detection; stock combustibility (particularly clothing and textiles) significantly affects fire spread speed; and unmanned premises overnight face a higher arson risk requiring after-hours security measures.
What is the main fire risk in retail premises?
Deliberately set fires (arson) are the leading cause of serious fires in UK retail, particularly in clothing and fashion retail. Combustible waste left adjacent to the building overnight is the most common initial fuel source. FRASafe's retail questionnaire specifically addresses after-hours arson prevention as a required management measure.
Do I need smoke detectors in my fitting rooms?
Yes. Fitting rooms and changing areas are a documented arson risk — they are enclosed, relatively unmonitored, and often contain highly combustible clothing. Smoke detectors in fitting rooms are not covered by corridor detection systems and should be installed separately.
What standard does FRASafe's retail assessment follow?
FRASafe's retail assessment is structured in accordance with PAS 79-1:2020 — the BSI code of practice for fire risk assessments in premises other than housing. The government's own guidance document ('Fire safety risk assessment: offices and shops') covers retail and office premises under the same framework.
How much does it cost?
The assessment is completely free to complete. You pay £45 once you're ready to download your finished, signed PDF report.
How long does it take?
Most shop owners complete it in 25–40 minutes depending on the size and complexity of the premises. Progress is saved automatically — you can pause and return at any time.
Protect your shop and meet your legal duty
Free to complete. £45 for the PDF report. No subscription.
Start Your Retail Assessment Free