Fire Risk Assessments Manchester

If you own, manage or run a building in Manchester or Greater Manchester, the law says you need a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Whale Fire carries them out for landlords, managing agents and businesses across the city.

Our work is led by Richard Whale, a serving Fire Service Watch Commander with 27 years' service and 20 years' experience assessing buildings. You get a clear, prioritised report that tells you what matters, what it will cost, and what can wait.

Manchester buildings we assess

Manchester's buildings range from new city-centre towers to Victorian terraces and converted cotton mills. Each brings its own fire risks.

City-centre apartment blocks. Communal areas, escape routes, flat entrance doors and the checks required by the Fire Safety (England)
Regulations 2022. Many blocks have been through cladding remediation, so we look at how any interim measures fit into your assessment.
Student HMOs and shared houses. Areas such as Fallowfield, Withington and Rusholme, where high tenant turnover, shared kitchens and e-bike charging all add risk.
Converted mills and warehouses. Ancoats and the Northern Quarter are full of conversions, where hidden voids and old alterations can leave gaps in fire separation.
Offices, shops, bars and restaurants. Busy premises where staff and customers need to get out quickly from a building they may not know.
Warehouses and industrial units. From Trafford Park to sites near the airport, including high storage and lithium-ion batteries.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and the law

In Greater Manchester, fire safety law is enforced by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS). Its inspectors can ask to see your fire risk assessment and can serve enforcement or prohibition notices.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: the Responsible Person must carry out a fire risk assessment, act on it and review it regularly.
Since October 2023: the whole assessment must be recorded in writing, and the person carrying it out must be competent.
Blocks of flats: the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 add duties such as giving residents fire safety information and checking fire doors.
Taller residential buildings also have duties under the Building Safety Act 2022.
This is a plain-English summary for England, not legal advice. We'll explain exactly what applies to your building.

How we cover Manchester

Assessments are carried out by our qualified team. We plan Manchester visits in advance, so when you book we'll agree a fixed date with you. On the day, we'll walk the building with you and explain anything urgent before we leave. Your written report follows, with every finding ranked by risk.

Why choose Whale Fire

A firefighter's view: 27 years in the Fire Service means we know how fire really spreads and what the fire service looks for.
Independently checked: certified under the NSI Fire Risk Assessment Scheme (FRAS). Richard is an Associate Member of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (AIFSM) and is listed on the National Fire Risk Assessor Register (NFRAR).
Practical reports: findings ranked by risk, with costs and timescales taken into account.
No tie-in contracts: a free, fixed, no-obligation quote.

Manchester fire risk assessment FAQs

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. It covers all ten Greater Manchester boroughs, including Manchester, Salford, Trafford and Stockport.

Yes, for the shared parts of the property, such as hallways, stairs and kitchens. If your HMO is licensed, Manchester City Council may also set fire safety conditions.

Yes. Major building work is a significant change, so your fire risk assessment should be reviewed once it's finished.

Regularly, and whenever something significant changes. For most premises, a yearly review is sensible. Your report will give you a review date.

It depends on the size and use of the building. Tell us about yours and we'll send a fixed quote, with no obligation.

Get a free quote for your Manchester building

Call 0800 772 0738, email info@whalefire.co.uk, or fill in the form below. Tell us the building type, its postcode and roughly how big it is, and we'll come back with a fixed price.