How to Plan a Fire Risk Assessment for Multiple Retail Units
Last Updated: November 9, 2026
Quick Summary
A fire risk assessment for multiple retail units must cover each shop separately, because hazards, layouts and occupancy levels differ between units. Each tenant is usually the responsible person for their own unit, while the landlord or managing agent covers shared areas like corridors, stairwells and service yards.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person is whoever controls the premises.
One document covering a whole parade rarely holds up to scrutiny.
Cooperation between responsible persons in shared buildings is a legal expectation, not a courtesy.
The most common mistake is treating the checklist as a one-off tick-box.
A completed assessment should name the responsible person and set a review date.
Running more than one retail unit?
Certified fire risk assessments for shops and shared buildings, with bookings handled personally.
Table of Contents
Fire Safety in Multi-Tenant Buildings: Who Is Responsible
A fire risk assessment for multiple retail units starts with one question: who is legally in charge of each part of the building? In multi-tenant retail, the answer is rarely one person. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person is whoever controls the premises. That usually means each shop tenant for their own unit, and the landlord or managing agent for shared areas like corridors, stairwells and service yards. If you run several shops, each unit needs its own assessment because hazards, layouts and occupancy levels differ. One document covering a whole parade rarely holds up to scrutiny. Our guide to responsible person fire safety duties sets out exactly what each party must do, from risk assessments and fire doors to records and training.
Astutis Health, Safety and Environmental Training
The duties are practical, not theoretical. The responsible person must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of fire risks, identify who could be harmed, and put fire prevention measures in place (Your responsibilities - Fire Risk Assessments). They must also keep means of escape clear, maintain fire detection and alarm systems, and provide emergency lighting where needed. Shared buildings add a layer of complexity: compartmentation between units, shared escape routes and fire doors in common corridors all need coordinating. The official fire safety guidance for premises is clear that cooperation between responsible persons is a legal expectation, not a courtesy.
Your Shop Fire Risk Assessment Checklist
Here is the practical sequence we would work through for each retail unit:
Identify fire hazards. Look for ignition sources, fuel sources and oxygen. Think faulty wiring, heaters, cardboard stock and waste.
Identify people at risk. Staff, customers, contractors, and anyone who may struggle to evacuate.
Evaluate and reduce risk. Remove hazards where possible, then add fire prevention measures and protection.
Record findings. Write down hazards, actions and who owns each one.
Plan for emergencies. Set out an evacuation strategy, emergency exit signage and staff roles.
Review and update. Revisit the assessment on a set cycle and after any change.
Watch out: the most common mistake is treating the checklist as a one-off tick-box. A shop that changes its layout, stock or staffing without updating the assessment leaves gaps an enforcement notice will find. Our fire safety risk assessment checklist and template walks through each step in more detail. If you are unsure what counts as a hazard, this guide on how to identify fire hazards in your building helps you spot the risks before you start.
Work through these steps for each retail unit in the building.
Step | What to do |
1 | Identify fire hazards: ignition sources, fuel sources and oxygen |
2 | Identify people at risk: staff, customers, contractors, those who struggle to evacuate |
3 | Evaluate and reduce risk: remove hazards, add prevention and protection |
4 | Record findings: hazards, actions and who owns each one |
5 | Plan for emergencies: evacuation strategy, exit signage, staff roles |
6 | Review and update on a set cycle and after any change |
Using a Fire Risk Assessment Template for Shops
A template saves time, but it only works if you understand what a completed assessment should contain. At its core: hazards identified, people at risk, risks evaluated and reduced, findings recorded, and an emergency plan. It should also name the responsible person and set a review date. The Home Office fire safety risk assessment guidance gives a solid structure to follow. Before filling anything in, read what a fire risk assessment should include so you know which sections matter most. Digital records are easier to update and share with tenants than paper files, and they make a fire safety logbook simpler to maintain. If you would rather have a certified consultant handle it, our fire risk assessment service covers shops, offices and shared buildings. To see what a completed assessment should contain before you start, read what a fire risk assessment includes.
Coordinating fire safety across several retail units is where compliance usually slips. Kent and Sussex FRA provides certified fire risk assessments, fire door assessments and compartmentation surveys, with bookings handled personally. We identify hazards and help you stay compliant with current regulations. Get started with Kent and Sussex FRA and protect your premises, your staff and your customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does each retail unit need its own fire risk assessment?
Yes, in most cases. Each retail unit is a separate premises with its own responsible person, so each needs a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment covering its layout, ignition sources and means of escape. One document cannot cover multiple tenants because hazards and occupancy differ from unit to unit. The landlord or managing agent also needs a separate assessment for shared areas such as corridors, stairwells and service yards.
Who is responsible for fire safety in a multi-unit retail building?
Responsibility is split. Each tenant is the responsible person for their own unit under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The landlord, freeholder or managing agent is responsible for communal areas, structural compartmentation and shared systems such as fire detection and emergency lighting. Good practice is a written agreement setting out who maintains what, so duties do not fall between the two parties.
How often should a fire risk assessment for multiple retail units be reviewed?
Review annually as a minimum, and sooner if anything changes: a new tenant, a refit, altered stock levels, a change in occupancy or a fire incident. The review is a check that the assessment still reflects the premises, not a full rewrite each time. Keep a dated record of every review in your fire safety logbook so an enforcement officer can see the assessment is live.
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