Heritage Building Fire Safety Consultancy

A fire risk assessment remains a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, regardless of the age or historic significance of the building.

However, heritage properties require a different approach to modern commercial premises.

Many historic buildings contain:

• Traditional timber construction
• Historic staircases and circulation routes
• Original doors and architectural features
• Lath and plaster construction
• Concealed voids and roof spaces
• Complex layouts developed over centuries
• Limitations on structural alterations
• Conservation restrictions imposed by Listed Building Consent

A generic fire risk assessment often fails to properly consider these challenges.

Our assessments identify fire hazards, evaluate existing precautions and develop practical recommendations that are proportionate to both the risks present and the significance of the building.

In addition to fire risk assessments, we provide specialist fire safety consultancy for heritage and listed buildings.

This may include:

• Fire safety strategies
• Means of escape reviews
• Fire compartmentation advice
• Fire door surveys and assessments
• Liaison with Fire and Rescue Services
• Advice regarding fire detection and alarm systems
• Emergency lighting reviews
• Management procedures and evacuation planning
• Conservation-sensitive fire protection solutions
• Support during refurbishment and change of use projects

Our aim is always to achieve compliance without unnecessarily impacting the historic character of the property.

 We have experience supporting churches and places of worship across Staffordshire, Cheshire and the surrounding region.

Historic churches often present unique challenges including:

• Large open worship spaces
• Bell towers and roof voids
• Historic timber structures
• Community use and mixed occupancy
• Limited fire compartmentation
• Heritage restrictions

We provide practical fire risk assessments and consultancy that recognise the importance of preserving these buildings while ensuring they remain safe for congregations, visitors and volunteers.

Historic hotels, guest accommodation and visitor attractions frequently require a balance between life safety, business continuity and heritage conservation.

Our consultancy services assist owners and operators with:

• Fire risk assessments
• Fire safety management systems
• Emergency planning
• Fire alarm and detection strategies
• Fire door assessments
• Staff fire safety procedures
• Compliance reviews

We understand that many heritage properties remain operational businesses and recommendations must be practical, proportionate and achievable.

We recognise that heritage buildings cannot always accommodate modern fire safety measures in the same way as new-build properties.

Where appropriate, we consider:

• Enhanced management controls
• Improved detection systems
• Alternative means of warning
• Evacuation procedures
• Compensatory fire safety measures
• Risk-based approaches aligned with heritage guidance

Our recommendations are designed to protect occupants while minimising unnecessary impact on historic fabric.

We understand that preserving historic character is often just as important as achieving compliance.

Our assessors hold recognised fire risk assessment qualifications and maintain ongoing professional development within the fire safety sector.

We focus on realistic, proportionate solutions rather than generic recommendations that may be difficult or impossible to implement within a heritage environment.

Fire safety is rarely a one-off exercise. We can provide continued consultancy support as projects develop and buildings evolve.

Our experience includes work within:

• Grade I and Grade II listed properties
• Historic churches and chapels
• Heritage guest accommodation
• Country houses and estates
• Community buildings
• Historic mixed-use premises

We understand the unique challenges these environments present and the importance of achieving a balance between life safety, compliance and conservation.

Based in Staffordshire, we regularly provide heritage fire risk assessments and consultancy throughout:

• Stoke-on-Trent
• Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Leek
• Stafford
• Lichfield
• Tamworth
• Burton upon Trent

• Crewe
• Nantwich
• Congleton
• Macclesfield
• Northwich
• Chester
• Winsford

• Shrewsbury
• Telford
• Bridgnorth
• Ludlow
• Market Drayton
• Oswestry

• Greater Manchester
• Lancashire
• Merseyside
• Cumbria

• Wrexham
• Flintshire
• Denbighshire
• Conwy
• Gwynedd
• Anglesey

For larger heritage projects we are happy to travel further afield.