We can provide you with all of your fire risk assessment requirements.
The responsible person for the premises (usually the employer, owner or occupier) needs to carry out this assessment or appoint a competent person to carry it out on their behalf.
Find Out MoreThe Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 require a health and safety risk assessment to be conducted on a regular basis in order to ensure that the health and safety of residents and visitors...
Find Out MoreSummer brings longer days, warmer weather, and — if you're not paying attention — a significant increase in fire risk. Whether you manage a commercial premises, a block of flats, or a business with outdoor space, the change in season brings a fresh set of hazards that are easy to overlook.
Here's what you need to be aware of.
It's the most obvious one, but it causes serious fires every year. Disposable barbecues placed directly on dry grass, portable gas units left unattended, and embers that haven't been fully extinguished before disposal — all of these are genuine ignition risks.
For businesses with outdoor areas — pub gardens, hospitality venues, care home grounds — this needs to be part of your fire risk assessment. Staff should know the procedures, and designated barbecue areas should be clearly defined and managed.
Statistically, arson incidents rise in the summer months. Longer evenings, more people out and about, and dry vegetation around the perimeter of buildings all contribute.
Review your external security arrangements. Bins and recycling should never be stored directly against a building — they are one of the most common arson targets. Good external lighting and clear sightlines around your premises reduce opportunity.
A dry summer turns grass verges, hedgerows, and landscaped areas into tinder. If your premises has any significant amount of green space, consider how close it sits to the building and whether a fire in that vegetation could spread.
This is particularly relevant for rural businesses, schools, care homes, and industrial sites on the edges of towns.
As temperatures rise, so does the risk of electrical equipment overheating. Server rooms, plant rooms, and areas housing electrical panels all need adequate ventilation. Air conditioning units running at full capacity for extended periods can develop faults.
It's worth doing a walk-round of your electrical and mechanical plant during a hot spell, not just as a tick-box exercise but with fresh eyes.
People leave windows and doors open in hot weather — completely understandably. But fire doors propped open to let air circulate destroy the compartmentation your building depends on. A fire that might have been contained to one room can spread rapidly through a building when fire doors are held open.
If overheating is a genuine problem in your building, address it properly — through ventilation, cooling, or management controls — rather than accepting propped fire doors as the default.
Summer is peak season for building works, refurbishment, and maintenance. Hot works — cutting, grinding, welding — are a leading cause of fires in commercial premises. Contractors don't always understand your building the way you do.
Make sure any hot works permit system is being followed, that contractors are briefed on your fire procedures, and that adequate fire watch arrangements are in place after work finishes each day.
If your premises hosts summer events — outdoor markets, fetes, open days — the temporary change in how your building is used needs to be reflected in your fire risk arrangements. Escape routes may be altered, additional people unfamiliar with the building will be present, and additional cooking or electrical equipment may be brought on site.
A temporary or event-specific fire risk review is good practice before any significant change in use.
Many businesses treat fire risk assessments as an annual paperwork exercise. But your fire risk changes with the seasons, with the weather, and with how your building is being used. Summer is a good prompt to revisit your assessment — or to commission one if it's overdue.
Whale Fire provides professional fire risk assessments for commercial premises, landlords, and businesses across the UK. Get in touch to find out how we can help you stay compliant and keep your people safe. Contact Us - Whale Fire
To date, Whale Fire have carried out fire safety risk assessments at a number of our premises in central London and also at Gatwick, Southend and Bristol Airports. Richard provides us with a prompt, reliable and efficient service and I would be happy to recommend his services.
MoneyCorp - Ian Silverstone - Facilities & Premises Manager
Whale Fire completed a fire risk assessment and extinguisher installation on our training centre in Southwark. I found their service to be prompt and efficient as well as aware of the needs and restrictions of our site. They were quick to respond to our needs, despite delays from our end, the service was friendly throughout and they replaced only the necessary equipment. The risk assessment itself was detailed and has formed a large part of our on going risk assessments for the site. Construction Youth Trust will unquestionably use Whale Fire again.
Construction Youth Trust - George Dunstall - London & South East Manager
We used Whale Fire for our Fire Risk Assessment and their service was excellent. They took time to understand our business and explained the reasoning behind their recommendations. We will be using Whale Fire again and highly recommend them.
Alfra TV – Helen
Whale Fire Ltd has provided EastendHomes Ltd with a comprehensive batch of Fire Risk Assessments. Each assessment is unique and is site specific. Whale Fire Ltd has worked tirelessly to work within our deadlines offering valuable critic on document layout and fire safety matters. The Fire Risk Assessments are evaluated by our scrutiny panel – which we receive positive feedback. I feel Richard (Whale) is always there to discuss and advise on any matters relating to the Fire Risk Assessments and other fire related issues. His service has been professional and supportive. We are committed to ensure our residents are safe, and that we comply to the RRO(FS) 2005, and with Whale Fire's assistance this is being achieved.
East End Homes (Tower Hamlets) - Keiron Carroll - Housing Officer
We called Whale Fire after having used them for some Fire risk assessments to look at aspects of our testing and extinguishers and found them very professional and helpful with information on Fire alarms and how to test call points etc.
I would recommend them anytime.
Mark Rudling H&S Manager Wilcomatic.
The service from Whale Fire was professional, efficient and thorough. Great value for money for a well qualified and high quality Fire Risk Assessment. Our needs and considerations were taken into account and the assessor conducted a detailed and fair survey without disrupting the day-to-day work of the office. Highly recommended as a professional company.
Amy Johnson - Spectrum Enforcement Support Officer - Ofcom
I required the services of a professional assessor for a fire risk assessment on a new property for use as my private fitness facility. Richard was the first personal to contact me and his professionalism right from the start was excellent. He assisted me step by step through the process and has answered all questions relating to the procedure. Extremely professional - Thank you
Joel – Performance 18 Gym - NW London
Whale Fire are currently carrying out fire risk assessments across our residential portfolio. The reports are all site specific, easy to read and provide clear recommendations when further action is required. Richard (Whale) is both friendly and professional, and always happy to provide further advice when needed. I would not hesitate to recommend his company - they provide clarity and reassurance in a potential minefield for residential landlords.
Anna Nicholls - Marston Properties
We are extremely happy with the service provided by Whale Fire, and in particular the Fire Risk Assessment we were presented with. The service from start to finish has been exemplary and on a professional, knowledgeable, yet friendly level. We requested our Assessment at very short notice and Whale Fire were more than happy to fulfil our request and presented us with an exceptional report which was detailed and clear to understand. We would highly recommend Whale Fire and will be using their services in future".
Stacey – Scaffold UK Limited
Whale Fire were bought in to do a fire risk assessment on our new warehouse. The gentleman that visited our site was professional and most importantly very informative in everything he was explaining.
This helped greatly in guiding us in taking step to ensure our workers are safe. 10/10 - Would use again. Thank you for all the help Richard.
Luke