Expert Fire Risk Assessment Services Across Lancashire, Merseyside & Greater Manchester

Fire can spread rapidly, risking lives, disrupting operations, and causing huge financial loss. A thorough fire risk assessment is the most reliable way to identify hazards early and ensure your building has the right protections in place.

In the UK, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a “responsible person” (usually an employer, owner, landlord, or facilities manager) to carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment. This applies to nearly all non-domestic buildings, including offices, shops, warehouses, hospitality venues, schools, HMOs, and public buildings.

But compliance is only the start. A high-quality assessment can:

• Prevent fires before they begin

• Reduce the likelihood of injuries or fatalities

• Protect critical assets and equipment

• Support staff confidence and wellbeing

• Minimise disruption and downtime

• Strengthen insurance and audit readiness

CityGroup’s approach combines legal compliance with real-world safety improvements, helping you protect the people inside your building and the future of your business.

What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A Fire Risk Assessment is a structured review of a building to:

1. Identify fire hazards

2. Evaluate who could be harmed and how

3. Examine existing fire safety controls

4. Recommend improvements

5. Document findings and create an action plan

6. Review frequently to maintain compliance

CityGroup delivers assessments that are clear, prioritised, and tailored to your specific environment. We don’t rely on generic templates. Instead, we look at how your premises are used—from day-to-day workflows to occupancy patterns—so that every recommendation makes sense for your business.

CityGroup Fire Risk Assessments: What We Cover

1. Identifying Sources of Ignition, Fuel, and Oxygen

Every assessment begins with a full fire hazard survey. CityGroup will inspect your premises to locate potential ignition sources such as:

• Electrical systems and distribution boards

• Portable appliances and machinery

• Heating equipment and boilers

• Kitchen or catering areas

• Hot-work processes (welding, grinding, soldering)

• Smoking zones and disposal points

We also check for fuel sources and combustible materials, including:

• Paper, packaging, and stored stock

• Cleaning chemicals and aerosols

• Flammable liquids

• Waste management areas

• Upholstered furnishings and textiles

• Storage rooms and racking systems

Finally, we consider air flow and ventilation that could intensify fire spread. This complete hazard-mapping gives you a true picture of where risk sits inside your site.

2. Assessing the Risk to People

Next, we evaluate who may be at risk if a fire occurs and how quickly they could evacuate. This includes consideration of:

• Employees working across different zones

• Customers, visitors, or members of the public

• Lone workers or contractors

• People sleeping on site (hotels, HMOs, supported living)

• Individuals with disabilities or limited mobility

We also assess how the layout affects safe escape, including:

• Travel distances to exits

• Potential bottlenecks in corridors and stairwells

• Restricted routes or locked doors

• High-risk rooms adjacent to escape paths

• Signage visibility and lighting clarity

This is vital for sites in high footfall areas like Liverpool city centres, busy commercial units in Preston, or multi-occupancy buildings in Greater Manchester.

3. Reviewing Existing Fire Safety Measures

CityGroup examines all current fire precautions to confirm that protection is adequate, compliant, and well-maintained. That includes:

• Fire alarm systems and detection coverage

• Manual call points and sounder audibility

• Emergency lighting placement

• Fire extinguishers and blanket provision

• Fire doors, seals, and closers

• Compartmentation and fire stopping

• Exit routes, signage, and assembly points

• Staff training and drill frequency

If gaps exist, we explain them clearly and advise how to close them efficiently.

4. Fire Detection and Warning System Evaluation

Early warning saves lives. We review the type and effectiveness of your detection systems, including:

• Detector suitability for each room type

• Coverage of bedrooms, plant rooms, kitchens, and storage areas

• Proper spacing and ceiling positioning

• Testing records and maintenance schedules

• Alarm zoning and control panel condition

If you’re operating older systems in Blackburn, expanding a premises in Chorley, or moving into a new unit in Lytham, we’ll ensure your system is appropriate for the current condition and usage of the building.

5. Emergency Evacuation Planning

Even the best system needs people to know what to do. CityGroup supports you in building or refining practical evacuation procedures, including:

• Clear step-by-step evacuation instructions

• Roles for fire marshals and duty managers

• Visitor and contractor evacuation control

• Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)

• Assembly point management

• Re-entry rules and emergency communication

We focus on real-life usability. A plan isn’t effective if it doesn’t reflect how your building is actually occupied.

6. Risk Mitigation Recommendations

At the end of your assessment, CityGroup delivers a professional report with prioritised recommendations. These may include:

• Upgrading alarms or detection layouts

• Introducing new extinguishers or specialist equipment

• Repairing fire doors or improving compartmentation

• Enhancing escape route signage or lighting

• Improving storage methods

• Increasing training and drill schedules

• Adjusting operational processes to reduce hazards

We also show which actions are legally urgent and which are best-practice improvements, helping you plan budgets and timelines confidently.

7. Ongoing Reviews and Support

Fire safety isn’t “done once and forgotten.” Changes to staff, layouts, equipment, or building use can create new risks. CityGroup provides ongoing support through:

• Scheduled reassessments

• Advice on upgrades or refurbishments

• Staff training refreshers

• Compliance support for audits or inspections

• Multi-site fire safety management

Whether you operate a single building in Lancashire or multiple sites across Merseyside and Greater Manchester, we help you stay protected long-term.

Who We Work With

CityGroup Fire Risk Assessment services are suitable for:

• Offices and commercial buildings

• Retail and shopping spaces

• Warehouses and industrial units

• Schools, colleges, and nurseries

• Care homes and supported living

• Hotels, guest houses, and HMOs

• Restaurants, pubs, and hospitality venues

• Public sector and community buildings

If you’re unsure whether your premises requires a fire risk assessment, the answer is almost always yes. We’re happy to guide you through your obligations.

Why Choose CityGroup Managed Services?

Local Expertise You Can Rely On

CityGroup is a trusted fire safety provider across Preston, Chorley, Blackburn, Lytham, and the wider Lancashire region—along with Liverpool, Merseyside, and Greater Manchester. We know the local building landscape, common compliance issues, and sector-specific challenges.

Fully Qualified Fire Risk Assessors

Our assessors are experienced professionals who stay up to date on UK fire safety legislation, British Standards, and industry best practices. You can be confident that your assessment is accurate, defensible, and inspection-ready.

Tailored, Business-Focused Solutions

No two buildings—or businesses—operate the same way. We deliver site-specific assessments based on your occupancy, work processes, risks, and physical layout.

Clear Reporting With Actionable Outcomes

CityGroup reports are written to be understood. You’ll get a structured breakdown of your risks, a compliance overview, and a prioritised improvement plan you can act on immediately.

Cost-Effective Safety

Preventing fire is far less expensive than recovering from one. A CityGroup Fire Risk Assessment helps reduce insurance risk, avoid penalties, and protect your operations.

Fire Safety Compliance: Your Legal and Moral Duty

Failing to complete a fire risk assessment can result in serious consequences, including:

• Enforcement notices

• Large financial penalties

• Criminal prosecution in severe cases

• Business closure

• Reputational damage

• Risk of injury or loss of life

But beyond fines and law, fire safety is about protecting people. Every safe escape route, properly placed fire door, and trained staff member could be the difference between a near-miss and a tragedy.

CityGroup helps you meet your obligations confidently and responsibly.

If you’re based in Preston, Chorley, Blackburn, Lytham, anywhere in Lancashire, or across Liverpool, Merseyside, and Greater Manchester, CityGroup Managed Services is ready to support you with professional Fire Risk Assessments that deliver real protection—not paperwork.

Whether you need a first-time assessment, a scheduled review, or support after building changes, our team makes compliance straightforward and effective.

Get in touch with CityGroup today to arrange your Fire Risk Assessment and take the next step toward complete fire protection.