Why You Need a Fire Risk Assessment in Oldham
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, anyone responsible for a non-domestic property, or the shared parts of a house in multiple occupation, has a legal duty to carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment. Oldham’s housing stock is dominated by older terraced properties and converted mill buildings, many of which have been split into flats or HMOs over the years – and older conversions are exactly where fire risk assessments tend to uncover the most serious problems, from inadequate compartmentation to escape routes that were never designed with multiple households in mind.
A Reminder of Oldham’s Fire Risk
Oldham has seen the real cost of fire spreading through commercial and industrial buildings. In March 2020, a serious fire broke out at a former mill building on Morton Street in Failsworth, with the blaze covering an area of around 50 metres by 50 metres at its height. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service sent eight fire engines, two aerial appliances and a hose layer unit to bring it under control, and the incident caused disruption on Oldham Road and to Metrolink’s Rochdale line for several hours. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly fire can take hold in the borough’s older industrial and mill-conversion buildings, and why a proper fire risk assessment matters long before an incident, not after one.
Our Fire Safety Services in Oldham
Fire Risk Assessment
A full, methodical inspection of your Oldham property covering fire hazards, means of escape, fire detection and warning systems, emergency lighting, and the people most at risk. You’ll get a clear, prioritised action plan, not just a list of problems.
Fire Assessment Certificate
Once your assessment is complete and any urgent actions addressed, we provide the documentation you need to demonstrate compliance to tenants, insurers, mortgage lenders or Oldham Council’s environmental health team.
Fire Safety Inspection
Ongoing or one-off inspections to check that fire doors, escape routes, extinguishers and alarm systems remain in good working order between full assessments.
Who Needs a Fire Risk Assessment in Oldham?
You’re legally required to have a fire risk assessment if you are:
- A landlord letting a house in multiple occupation (HMO)
- A business owner or employer with premises in Oldham
- A managing agent responsible for the communal areas of a block of flats
- Running a shop, restaurant, office or other non-domestic premises anywhere in the borough
Oldham Council operates a selective licensing scheme covering designated areas of the borough, and has done for several years. If your rental property falls within a designated area, you’ll need a licence in addition to your fire risk assessment obligations – the current combined licence fee is £582, split into a £340.34 processing fee and a £241.66 compliance fee, and you’ll typically need to provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), a current gas safety certificate, a written management statement, a copy of the tenancy agreement and proof of your address as part of the application. Given how frequently licensing boundaries and requirements change, it’s always worth checking directly with Oldham Council’s licensing team to confirm whether your specific property is covered.
How the Process Works
1. Initial Consultation
We discuss your property, its use and any specific concerns you have, then arrange a convenient time to visit.
2. On-Site Assessment
Our assessor carries out a thorough, room-by-room inspection of your Oldham property, checking everything from fire doors to escape routes.
3. Report and Action Plan
You receive a detailed written report with clear, prioritised recommendations, so you know exactly what needs doing and by when.
