
Case Study
Property: Vulnerable social housing sector
Industry: Residential
Contract Awarded to: RiskFire Ltd
Type of Contract: FRA
Location: N/A
Project Duration: 1 day
Project Overview and Scope
RiskFire was appointed to undertake a Fire Risk Assessment for a residential building accommodating vulnerable young adults. The assessment focused on resident safety, identification of regulatory compliance gaps, and evaluation of the building’s fire safety arrangements against the Fire Safety Order (2005), Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998, and relevant British Standards including BS5839 and BS5266. The aim was to ensure appropriate levels of protection for occupants and provide clear recommendations to strengthen life safety measures throughout the premises.
Project Controls and Documentation Provided
- The assessment was completed using the Firehub app, with all findings and recommendations formally documented and issued to the client.
Challenges and Solutions
The assessment identified several areas requiring immediate improvement. No evidence was available of an annual Gas Safe inspection or service records for the boiler and heating system, presenting a compliance risk under Gas Safety regulations. Compartmentation within the building was weakened due to bedroom doors lacking intumescent seals, reducing the effectiveness of fire separation. Fire action signage at the main entrance was limited, offering insufficient guidance for residents and visitors during an evacuation.
A further challenge was the absence of a formal written fire safety policy. Responsibilities at board and management levels were not defined, no Responsible Person had been formally designated for the premises, and there were no appointed roles for the maintenance and testing of life safety systems. Servicing of the fire detection and alarm system was not being carried out to the frequencies required by BS5839, while emergency lighting systems had not undergone the required annual discharge test or routine functional testing in line with BS5266. Record-keeping was also fragmented, with no central file containing compliance certificates, maintenance documentation, or servicing records.
RiskFire developed a coordinated approach to resolving these issues. Immediate Gas Safe inspections were recommended to verify the safety of all appliances, pipework, and flues, with ongoing annual servicing advised to maintain compliance. Intumescent seals were installed to all bedroom doors, strengthening compartmentation and improving fire resistance across the building. Additional fire action notices were installed at the main entrance to support occupant awareness and provide clear evacuation instructions.
To address organisational gaps, RiskFire assisted in establishing a comprehensive fire safety policy, defining board-level accountability, appointing the premises manager as the Responsible Person, and assigning roles for routine maintenance, testing, and emergency procedures. Periodic servicing of the fire detection and alarm system was scheduled in accordance with BS5839, while emergency lighting systems were subject to the required annual discharge testing and a new monthly functional testing regime. A centralised fire safety file was introduced, positioned near the main entrance, enabling all inspection records, test certificates, and maintenance documentation to be securely stored and easily accessible.
Outcome and Outputs Achieved
The measures implemented through the assessment delivered full compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998 and strengthened the building’s fire safety infrastructure. Compartmentation was enhanced through upgraded fire door protection, and improved signage supported better occupant awareness. The establishment of a written policy created clear, accountable fire safety management across the organisation. Regular servicing of life safety systems ensured ongoing compliance with BS5839 and BS5266, while centralised record-keeping provided transparent evidence of maintenance and testing. Collectively, these improvements significantly increased the safety and resilience of the residential environment.







