How quickly is fire risk assessment required for new buildings

[Guest Bruno]

Hi Peter,

 

I would like to find out how quickly do  newly built property have to be Fire Risk Assessed. Mainly referring to residential properties. Some say its four weeks within occupation, I have heard others say within 6 months of occupation. Is the a rule on this?

 

Thanks

[Tom Sutton]

As far as I am aware there is no set time and I would think it is as soon as the premises is handed over. Once the completion certificate has been finalised and the fire strategy document is handed over you should begin preparing to have a fire risk assessment started. This will take some time but I would suggest it is done as soon as possible and if building control has done their job properly there should be little to do, however from what I hear this is not always be the case. I hear the fire safety strategy document is not always available and in relation to fire safety there can be short comings of the Building Control Officers/Approved Inspectors.