Why You Need a Fire Risk Assessment in Salford
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, whoever is responsible for a non-domestic property, or for the shared parts of a house in multiple occupation, must carry out a fire risk assessment and keep it under regular review. Salford’s housing and commercial stock ranges from converted terraces in Broughton and Pendleton to industrial units and modern apartment blocks nearer the Quays, and each of these building types brings its own specific fire risks that a generic, one-size-fits-all assessment simply won’t catch.
A Reminder of Salford’s Fire Risk
Salford has seen how devastating an industrial fire can be. In March 2020, a major fire broke out at Langley Industrial Park on Langley Road, engulfing a single-storey building roughly 50 metres by 50 metres. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service scaled its response up to five pumps and two aerial appliances, with additional support from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, and crews remained on scene through the night and into the following day. Despite the scale of the blaze, firefighters managed to save four of the seven businesses on the site – but three were lost. It’s a powerful illustration of why fire risk assessments for commercial and industrial premises need to take spread-of-fire risk seriously, not just the immediate unit in question.
Our Fire Safety Services in Salford
Fire Risk Assessment
A full, methodical inspection of your Salford 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 Salford City 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 Salford?
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 Salford
- A managing agent responsible for the communal areas of a converted block or flats
- Running a shop, office, industrial unit or other non-domestic premises across the city
Salford City Council operates more than one selective licensing scheme across the city, and the areas covered vary street by street, so it’s essential to check which one applies to your property. As well as the Eccles, Barton and Winton scheme, the council also runs a separate selective licensing scheme covering Broughton, Kersal and Broughton Park. If your rental property sits within either designated area, you’ll need a selective licence in addition to meeting your fire risk assessment obligations – and because Salford’s licensing boundaries are genuinely more complex than many neighbouring boroughs, we’d always recommend checking your specific address against the council’s current area maps rather than assuming either way.
How the Process Works
1. Initial Consultation
We talk through your property, how it’s used 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 Salford 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.
