The biggest fire risk to Essex businesses in 2025

As a Business Engagement Team we have witnessed first hand the challenges and hazards that businesses face in our community. As we enter 2025, we are increasingly concerned about a critical issue: the lack of suitable and sufficient recorded fire risk assessments across commercial properties in Essex.

Our data since 2022 shows that over 1,600 properties we visited did not have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment in place. This is, in our view, the biggest risk to Essex businesses in the coming year.

A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for all workplaces, public buildings, and buildings with two or more sets of domestic premises. It’s not just a regulatory requirement; it is an essential process that identifies potential fire hazards and establishes measures to mitigate them.

When we visit a property and find that no assessment has been carried out, we see a significant oversight that can have disastrous consequences. Without knowing the fire risks specific to their premises, business owners, are essentially leaving themselves, their occupants, employees, and their customers unprotected.

We have spent countless hours on the ground, assessing various sites, and the recurring absence of these vital assessments is alarming. The implications are far-reaching.

Firstly, there is the legal aspect. Businesses and other premises are legally obligated under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order to have a suitable and sufficient recorded fire risk assessment. Failure to do so can result in severe legal consequences, including, prosecutions.

It is possible that non-compliance could lead to significant financial losses and operational shutdowns, impacting not only the business owner but the wider community as well. The lack of having a suitable and sufficient recorded fire risk assessment may also have a negative effect on insurance.

Beyond the legal ramifications, there is the human cost. Every day, we see the potential dangers that an un-assessed property can harbour.

Employees might be exposed to life-threatening risks, and in the unfortunate event of a fire, the lack of a proper safety strategy can lead to tragic outcomes. It is heartbreaking to consider that simple preventive measures, if taken in time, could save lives and prevent irrevocable damage.

Moreover, the economic impact on a business following a fire incident cannot be understated. The downtime, loss of valuable assets, and disruption of services can tarnish a company’s reputation permanently.

We have met business owners who, after experiencing a fire incident, faced long-term challenges in rebuilding trust with their clients and the local community. In today’s competitive market, even a short interruption can lead to long-lasting negative effects on profitability.

We urge all Essex business owners and property managers to take fire risk assessments seriously.

We understand that running a business is challenging, and it might seem like an additional burden to invest time and resources into such assessments. However, it is a small price to pay compared to the potential cost of a fire incident. A thorough suitable and sufficient recorded fire risk assessment will help identify hazards, recommend practical measures to mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with the law.

In our opinion, the biggest risk to Essex businesses in 2025 is the oversight of proper fire safety measures. Our data is clear, and our experience on the ground confirms that too many commercial properties are vulnerable due to the absence of fire risk assessments.

We urge you to act now, safeguard your business, protect your employees, and contribute to a safer Essex for everyone.

By Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Business Engagement Team