Why You Need a Fire Risk Assessment in Rochdale
Every person responsible for a non-domestic property, or for the shared parts of a house in multiple occupation, has a legal duty under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to carry out a fire risk assessment and keep it up to date. Rochdale’s borough has a substantial stock of converted terraces, former mill buildings and town centre commercial premises, and it’s exactly this kind of older, repurposed building where fire risk assessments most often uncover gaps in compartmentation, escape routes and detection that were never properly addressed at the time of conversion.
A Reminder of Rochdale’s Fire Risk
Rochdale has seen how quickly a commercial fire can escalate. On a Saturday afternoon in June 2024, a serious fire broke out at a commercial property on Summer Street, on the edge of the town centre. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service sent eight fire engines from stations across the borough and beyond – Rochdale, Heywood, Littleborough, Oldham, Hollins, Blackley and Ashton – along with a turntable ladder, to bring the blaze under control and stop it spreading to neighbouring buildings. Smoke was visible for miles, with residents as far away as Wardle and Norden reporting the smell, and people living nearby were advised to keep their doors and windows closed. It’s a clear illustration of how fast fire can take hold in Rochdale’s older commercial buildings, and why prevention through a proper fire risk assessment matters far more than relying on a fast response after the fact.
Our Fire Safety Services in Rochdale
Fire Risk Assessment
A comprehensive, structured inspection of your Rochdale property covering fire hazards, means of escape, detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting and the people most at risk, with a clear, prioritised action plan at the end of it.
Fire Assessment Certificate
Documentation confirming your property meets its fire safety obligations, ready to show tenants, insurers, mortgage lenders or Rochdale Borough Council’s licensing team.
Fire Safety Inspection
Regular or one-off inspections to check fire doors, alarms, extinguishers and escape routes remain in good working order between full assessments.
Who Needs a Fire Risk Assessment in Rochdale?
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 anywhere in the borough
- A managing agent responsible for the communal areas of a converted block or flats
- Running a shop, café, office or other non-domestic premises in Rochdale town centre or the wider borough
Rochdale Borough Council operates a borough-wide Additional Licensing Scheme covering HMOs with three or more unrelated occupants forming two or more households, as well as buildings converted into self-contained flats (Section 257 buildings) – a licence under this scheme currently costs £1,011 as a base fee plus £53 per habitable room, and lasts five years. Selective licensing, which is a separate scheme covering smaller privately rented properties more generally, has not yet been introduced across Rochdale, though it’s always worth checking the council’s current position given how often licensing policy is reviewed.
How the Process Works
1. Initial Consultation
We discuss your property, its use and any concerns you already have, then arrange a convenient time to visit.
2. On-Site Assessment
Our assessor carries out a thorough, room-by-room inspection of your Rochdale 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.
