Fire Risk Assessment for Offices in Leicester
Every Leicester office needs a written fire risk assessment, whatever its size. Since October 2023 the old “five or more employees” rule for writing it down no longer applies. For a small or medium office the assessment usually costs £200 to £350. In a shared building, the landlord and each tenant have their own part to cover.
Updated September 2026
Where Leicester offices go wrong
Leicester’s offices fall into a few types, and each one has a typical weak spot.
Georgian and Victorian buildings on New Walk and around Friar Lane
Handsome listed and period buildings now used as offices by solicitors, accountants and agencies. The stairs are usually open and the doors are original panelled doors that cannot simply be swapped for fire doors. The answer is often a mix: better detection, upgraded doors where it is allowed, and a clear evacuation plan. The assessment has to work with the building rather than against it.
Multi-let blocks in the city centre
Around Granby Street, Charles Street and the station, 1960s to 1980s blocks are let floor by floor. The common stair, alarm panel and lift belong to the landlord. The kitchen, server cupboard and storeroom belong to each tenant. Problems appear where no one has agreed who tests what.
Business parks on the edge of the city
Modern offices at the business parks around the M1 and the outer ring road tend to have good built-in protection. Findings are usually about management: alarm servicing out of date, fire doors propped open for air, too few trained fire marshals now that people work from home on some days.
Offices above shops
Small offices over retail units on the high streets share an entrance with the flat above or a stair with the shop. The separation between uses and the second way out are the key questions.
What happens when an office assessment is left to drift
Town-centre office block
The owner of a Bedford office building was fined £40,000 plus £10,525 costs. The fire risk assessment had not been reviewed since 2015. It is a neighbouring fire service area, but the same law applies in Leicester.
An office assessment is not a one-off. New layouts, more desks, a server room, e-bike charging and changes to who works in the building all mean it needs another look.
Real questions from office managers
“I think it falls on me to get this sorted and it makes me really nervous having to plan all this and not 100% what we need.”An office manager with 13 staff, Safelincs fire safety forum, September 2022
This is how most small offices start. The fire risk assessment is the plan. It tells you what you already have that works, what to fix, who needs training and how often to test things. After that the job is keeping a simple log: alarm tests, a yearly drill, extinguisher servicing and a note of any changes.
“now that has been withdrawn stating lack of fire wardens in the building”An employee in a large office building, MoneySavingExpert forum, October 2023, on being called back into the office
Hybrid working changes fire marshal cover. If your marshals are home on Mondays and Fridays, the plan has to show who takes over on those days. The assessment should look at attendance patterns, not just the number of staff on paper.
What an office assessment covers
- Escape routes: travel distance to exits, door widths, whether routes stay clear, and signs.
- Fire alarm and emergency lighting: type, coverage and servicing records.
- Sources of ignition: kitchens, heaters, server and comms cupboards, e-bike and scooter charging.
- Fire doors and compartmentation: especially where a shared stair or lift serves several tenants.
- People: fire marshal cover including hybrid days, visitors, and anyone who needs help to evacuate.
- Records: drills, alarm tests, extinguisher servicing and training.
Office fire safety questions
Do small offices with fewer than 5 staff need a written assessment?
Yes. The exemption for businesses with fewer than five employees was removed on 1 October 2023. Every responsible person must now record the full assessment in writing.
How often should an office fire risk assessment be reviewed?
There is no fixed period. Most low-risk offices are reviewed every one to two years, and after any significant change such as a refit, new tenant or change in headcount.
How many fire marshals do we need?
Enough to cover the building on every day it is occupied, including hybrid days and holidays. The assessment sets the number based on your layout and how many people are in on a typical day.
We rent one floor. Is the landlord’s assessment enough?
No. The landlord’s assessment covers the common parts. You need your own for the space you control, and you should share information with the landlord.
How often should we hold a fire drill?
At least once a year, with the results recorded. Larger or more complex offices may need more.
Get a fixed quote for your Leicester office
Tell us the address or postcode, floor area or number of desks, and whether you share the building. A local assessor gets back to you with a fixed quote.
See the Leicester cost guide, or call 0116 497 6683.