Separation from flats
Whether fire separation between commercial and residential parts is intact.
Commercial & Mixed Use
Both sides of the boundary
Commercial premises range from a single shop to an office building with several tenants. Where a business sits below flats, a fire in one part of the building can affect people living above it.
We assess commercial premises under the Fire Safety Order following PAS 79-1:2020, and look at both sides of the boundary in mixed-use buildings: the business, and the people living above it. Since October 2023, every Responsible Person must record their fire risk assessment in writing, whatever the size of the business.
How we help
What we pay particular attention to
Shared escape routes
Routes shared between businesses, or between a business and residents.
Shared responsibilities
Where several Responsible Persons need to co-operate and co-ordinate.
Kitchens and storage
Commercial kitchens, stock and waste storage.
Detection and warning
Whether the alarm system suits how the building is used.
Staff and training
Fire wardens, training and testing records.
Commercial & Mixed Use
A practical plan for your premises
The report is written so business owners and landlords know what to do and in what order.
- Actions in priority order, with timescales
- Notes on who is responsible for what in shared buildings
- Photos of the main issues
- A recommended review date
Services
All services Services for this sector
Fire Risk Assessments
Type 1 to Type 4 fire risk assessments under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, following BS 9792:2025 (housing) or PAS 79-1:2020 (other premises), with a prioritised action plan you can work through.
Find out moreFire Door Surveys
Detailed condition surveys of flat entrance and communal fire doors by an FDIS Diploma-qualified inspector, with photos and recommendations to repair, adjust or replace.
Find out moreRemedial Action Planning
Consolidating and prioritising fire safety actions into a clear programme of works for contractors and managing agents.
Find out moreFire Safety Consultancy
Advice on evacuation strategies and PEEPs, enforcement notices and fire authority letters, fire safety policies and log books, and refurbishment or change-of-use projects.
Find out moreWho is the Responsible Person in a mixed-use building?
There may be more than one: for example the business owner, the landlord and whoever manages the flats. The Fire Safety Order requires them to co-operate and share information.
Do you assess the residential parts as well?
Yes. We assess the common parts of the flats using BS 9792:2025, alongside the commercial parts.
Does a small shop need a written fire risk assessment?
Yes. Since October 2023 every Responsible Person must record their fire risk assessment in writing, regardless of size.
Need an assessment or fire door inspection?
Tell us about your premises, location and the work you need.