The 'advice' provided was vague, dismissive, and ultimately unhelpful
I recently received a fire risk assessment from this company and I am deeply disappointed and concerned by the lack of professionalism and the potentially dangerous advice provided.
Firstly, regarding the placement of smoke and heat detectors, the assessor simply stated, 'The electrician who installs the detectors will know the correct locations.' This is a blatant abdication of responsibility. While electricians are qualified to install detectors, the assessor should have provided specific, informed guidance based on the property's layout and the risk assessment itself. Deferring entirely to the electrician is a cop-out and suggests a lack of thoroughness.
Furthermore, the assessor's response to my questions about fire extinguishers and door adjustments was equally vague. When asked which doors needed to be fireproofed, I received an evasive answer. The question about the door between the stairs and the living room was completely ignored.
Most alarmingly, the assessor's response regarding evacuation procedures was shockingly inadequate. They stated, 'As the property will be a self-catering property, it will be up to the guests to evacuate themselves and rely solely on the emergency services.' This is a major red flag. Even in self-catering properties, I have a duty of care to provide basic fire safety information and guidance, especially for vulnerable guests like the elderly, disabled, and children. The assessor's dismissal of this responsibility is not only unprofessional but potentially life-threatening. They failed to provide any guidance on assembly points, evacuation steps, or how to assist those needing extra support.
The entire response lacked specificity and demonstrated a clear attempt to deflect responsibility. The 'advice' provided was vague, dismissive, and ultimately unhelpful. I strongly advise anyone seeking a professional and responsible fire risk assessment to look elsewhere. Based on this experience, I cannot recommend this service and strongly urge others to prioritize their safety by seeking a second opinion and conducting their own thorough research on fire safety regulations.
February 25, 2025
Unprompted review