Why You Need a Fire Risk Assessment in Wigan
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 under regular review. Wigan has a significant stock of older terraced housing and commercial buildings, particularly around areas like Pemberton and Swinley, and it’s exactly this kind of building where fire risk assessments most often uncover gaps that a quick visual check would miss.
A Reminder of Wigan’s Fire Risk
Wigan has seen how long and difficult a serious commercial fire can be to bring under control. In May 2026, a fire broke out at a commercial building on Leopold Street in Pemberton, with flames visible through the roof and thick black smoke spreading as far as the Billinge Road area. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service crews remained in attendance for around 14 hours, working through the night and into the following morning to fully extinguish the blaze and damp down hot spots. Police warned nearby residents that the smoke was toxic and advised them to stay indoors with windows and doors closed. It’s a clear reminder of how disruptive and dangerous a commercial fire can be, and why identifying fire risks before they escalate matters so much.
Our Fire Safety Services in Wigan
Fire Risk Assessment
A thorough, structured inspection of your Wigan 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 Wigan Council’s planning and licensing teams.
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 Wigan?
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 Wigan
- A managing agent responsible for the shared areas of a converted block or flats
- Running a shop, office or other non-domestic premises across the borough
Wigan Council operates Article 4 Directions removing permitted development rights for small HMOs in specific areas of the borough. Originally covering Swinley and Central Leigh from 2020, the council expanded this in August 2025 to include Pemberton as well, meaning any change of use to a small HMO of four to six occupants in these areas now needs full planning permission rather than happening automatically. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies borough-wide for properties with five or more occupants from two or more households, regardless of planning status, so it’s worth checking both your planning and licensing obligations if you’re converting a property in Wigan.
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 Wigan 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.
