High‐rise buildings pose unique and serious fire safety challenges. The greater height, multiple floors, larger occupancies, complex evacuation routes, and increased risk to vulnerable occupants mean that a generic fire risk assessment is not enough. At Embershield, our High Rise Fire Risk Assessments are specifically tailored to meet these challenges. We aim to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) 2005, the Fire Safety Act, and any relevant guidance, while providing a clear strategy for both prevention and mitigation.
High Rise Fire Risk Assessments
Overview
What the Assessment Covers
- A thorough inspection of evacuation plans, including escape routes, adequacy of signage, emergency lighting, and access for fire services.
- Evaluation of compartmentation, ensuring fire‐resistant walls, floors, and doors are intact and conform to required standards to prevent fire spreading.
- Fire door testing and sampling, to check that doors close properly, seals are in good condition, and ratings are maintained.
- Verification of means of fire detection, alarm systems, and suppression systems (if installed), and how they integrate with the building’s oversight.
- Assessment of fire safety management: procedures, staff training, maintenance schedules, documentation, drills, and how responsibility is allocated.
- Identification of vulnerable persons (children, elderly, disabled) and how their needs are incorporated into evacuation plans.
Why It Matters
High‐rise buildings can severely amplify the risk and consequences of fire incidents. Issues that may be small in lower buildings (e.g. a blocked escape route or delayed detection) can become catastrophic when many floors are involved. Ensuring every element—from structure to procedures, is assessed keeps occupants safe, protects property, and reduces liability for owners/managers. Regulatory enforcement is increasingly strict for high‐risk buildings: failing a compliance audit or fire authority inspection can lead to sanctions, forced closures, and reputational damage.
Deliverables from Embershield
- A comprehensive written report detailing all findings, with photographs, measurements, and where applicable, testing results for doors/compartments.
- An action plan: prioritised list of recommended remedial works or changes (with timelines and severity categorised).
- Advice on ongoing maintenance, staff training, and schedule for reviews.
- Supportive documentation you may need to submit to fire authority or insurers.
- Follow-up visit(s) if required, to ensure that remedial actions have been correctly implemented.
Who Should Use This Service
- Owners, freeholders, or managing agents of tall residential or mixed‐use buildings.
- Property management companies responsible for building safety.
- Local authorities or housing associations with high‐rise stock.
- Developers or landlords upgrading or refurbishing high‐rise buildings to comply with current law.
Timing, Cost & Coverage
- Embershield covers the South of England & London region.
- Timelines depend on building size, occupancy, and complexity—assessment typically takes several days on site plus follow-up analysis.
- Costs will vary by building height, number of units/floors, complexity of systems, and whether remedial work is needed. We’ll provide a free quote after an initial scoping discussion.
Conclusion
A High Rise Fire Risk Assessment from Embershield is more than just a compliance exercise, it’s a detailed safety assurance process. We combine technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and practical advice to help you protect lives, reduce risk, and meet your legal responsibilities. If you manage or own a building with multiple storeys, investing in this service could make the difference between readiness and disaster.
Experienced, Certified Assessors providing Tailored Solutions
With Embershield, you get more than just a fire risk assessment — you get a partner who understands the nuances of fire safety in your premises. We evaluate current safeguards, identify gaps, and deliver bespoke action plans to keep your building compliant, your people safe, and your liability protected.