What Happens During a Holiday Let Fire Risk Assessment?

If you've never had a fire risk assessment carried out before, it's natural to wonder what the process involves. Will it take all day? Do you need to prepare anything? What happens at the end? In this post, I'll walk you through exactly what to expect when I carry out a fire risk assessment at your Norfolk holiday let — from the initial enquiry through to the written report and action plan. ## Before the Visit: Getting a Quote The process starts with a no-obligation quote. You can get in touch by phone, email, or through the contact form on this website. I'll ask you a few basic questions about the property — its size, type, and how many guests it sleeps — and I'll give you a fixed price. There are no hidden costs and no surprises. You'll know exactly what you're paying before I set foot in the property. I aim to respond to all enquiries within one working day. During busy periods it may be slightly longer, but I'll always get back to you as soon as I can. ## Arranging the Visit Once you've accepted the quote, we'll agree a convenient time for me to visit. I'll work around your letting schedule — I understand that holiday lets are often occupied at weekends, so I'm flexible about timing. You don't need to be present during the assessment if you'd prefer not to be, though many owners find it useful to be there so they can ask questions and get a feel for the findings as we go. ## What I Look at During the Assessment The assessment itself is a systematic walk-through of the property. I'm looking at the building through the lens of fire risk — identifying hazards, evaluating the risk they pose, and assessing what measures are already in place to manage that risk. Here's what I typically cover: ### Ignition Sources I'll look at anything that could start a fire — cooking appliances, heating systems (including open fires and wood-burning stoves), electrical equipment, and any other potential ignition sources. I'll assess whether they're in good condition and whether they're being used safely. ### Fuel Sources I'll consider what's available to feed a fire if one starts — furnishings, curtains, stored materials, and the construction of the building itself. Older Norfolk properties, particularly those with timber frames or thatched roofs, can present specific challenges here. ### Means of Escape This is one of the most critical areas. I'll assess whether guests can get out of the building quickly and safely in the event of a fire. That means looking at: - The number and location of exits - Whether doors open in the right direction - The width of corridors and stairways - Emergency lighting (if applicable) - Exit signage For holiday lets where guests may be unfamiliar with the layout, clear and well-maintained escape routes are particularly important. ### Fire Detection and Warning I'll check what smoke alarms and heat detectors are installed, where they're located, and whether the coverage is adequate for the size and layout of the property. I'll also check for carbon monoxide detectors, which are a legal requirement in rooms with solid fuel appliances. ### Fire-Fighting Equipment I'll assess whether appropriate fire-fighting equipment is in place — typically a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket in the kitchen — and whether it's in date and accessible. ### Sleeping Arrangements The number of guests the property sleeps, and the location of bedrooms relative to escape routes, is an important factor in the overall risk assessment. A property that sleeps twelve people on three floors presents a very different risk profile to a two-bedroom cottage. ### Existing Fire Safety Measures I'll take stock of what's already in place and give credit for measures that are working well. The goal isn't to find fault — it's to give you an accurate picture of the risk and what, if anything, needs to change. ## After the Visit: The Written Report Within a few days of the visit, I'll send you a written fire risk assessment report. This is a clear, plain English document — not a dense technical report full of jargon. The report will include: - **A summary of the findings** — what I found during the assessment - **An overall risk rating** — a straightforward indication of the level of risk at the property - **A prioritised action plan** — a list of recommendations, ordered by priority, so you know what to tackle first - **Guidance on timescales** — some actions may need to be taken immediately; others can be addressed over a longer period The report is yours to keep and to share with your letting agent, insurer, or the fire authority if required. ## What Happens Next? Once you have the report, it's over to you to work through the action plan. Most recommendations are straightforward and inexpensive to implement — things like repositioning a smoke alarm, replacing a fire extinguisher, or adding a fire blanket to the kitchen. If you have any questions about the report or the recommendations, I'm always happy to talk them through. I'm not a one-visit-and-done service — I'm here to help you understand the findings and get compliant. ## How Long Does It Take? For a typical holiday let, the on-site assessment usually takes between one and two hours. Larger or more complex properties may take longer. I'll give you an indication of the likely duration when we arrange the visit. The written report is usually with you within three to five working days of the visit. ## Ready to Get Started? If you own a holiday let in Norfolk and you'd like to arrange a fire risk assessment, I'd be happy to help. The process is straightforward, the price is fixed, and you'll come away with a clear picture of where you stand and what you need to do. [Get a no-obligation quote for your Norfolk holiday let](/lp/holiday-let-fire-safety?utm_source=blog-aab&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cmp_q8DBAmdtnxwttxaM9mQCycqAnsGaCjGIOPh6p7CwbxM&utm_content=act_-JHo2xyc9Q30cGGQFp3-FZG4x4yu9qYmyRf4jYQxXqQ&utm_term=topic_assessment-process) — I'll get back to you within one working day.