Fire risk assessments in Ashford
Ashford has been earmarked for growth in government plans since the 1960s. Around 83,000 people now live in the town, and new housing, flats and commercial space continue to go up around it.
- Fire authority
- Kent Fire and Rescue Service
- Local council
- Ashford Borough Council
- Who attends
- Our own IFSM-member assessors
- Distance
- about 21 miles from our office
- Accreditation
- BAFE SP205, ID 303595
Its position on HS1 and the M20, with direct trains to London and the Channel Tunnel, has made it a base for food manufacturing, distribution and offices, alongside a historic market-town centre. Premises range from large factory sites in Willesborough to converted buildings around St Mary's Church.
Growth on this scale means a steady flow of new premises: blocks handed over by developers, units taking on their first tenants and older buildings being converted. Each change of use or occupancy is a point where the fire risk assessment needs to be done or reviewed.
We assess all of them in person and give you a written report with clear, prioritised actions.
Who needs a fire risk assessment in Ashford
- Food manufacturing and industrial sites
- Large production sites such as the Premier Foods site (formerly Batchelors) in Willesborough bring process, storage and lone-working risks. Packaging stores and cold rooms add combustible loads that need managing.
- Warehousing and distribution
- Easy access to the M20 and the Channel Tunnel makes Ashford a logistics hub with high-racking storage. Mezzanines and 24-hour shifts often change escape arrangements over time.
- New-build flats and apartment blocks
- Rapid growth means many recent blocks with communal areas the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 now cover. Developers' handover packs rarely include an assessment for day-to-day management.
- Town-centre retail and hospitality
- A medieval market town centre where shops and restaurants often trade from older, altered buildings. Upper floors used for storage are a common gap.
Your local fire authority
Kent Fire and Rescue Service is the enforcing authority for Ashford. If an inspector calls, the first thing they will ask for is a current, written fire risk assessment, and they can serve notices where precautions fall short.
Rules that apply in Ashford
- Residents in any block of two or more flats must be given fire safety information. What this means
- Your fire risk assessment must be recorded in writing, whatever the size of the business. What this means
Ashford fire safety questions
Do new-build blocks in Ashford still need a fire risk assessment?
Yes. Once residents move in, the common parts need a written assessment from the managing agent or freeholder, even in a brand-new building.
Can you assess warehouses with high-bay racking?
Yes. We look at storage height, sprinkler coverage where fitted, escape distances and how goods-in areas are managed.
Do you cover the villages around Ashford?
Yes. We cover the whole Ashford borough, including the surrounding villages and rural business units.
We've just taken on a new unit in Ashford. When do we need the assessment?
Before you start trading. The previous occupier's assessment doesn't transfer to you, and your layout, stock and staffing will be different.
How quickly can you carry out a fire risk assessment in Ashford?
Our Larkfield office is about 21 miles away, so we can usually attend within a few working days. Urgent visits are often possible sooner.
I have worked with Gary on a few projects now, he has always been very professional, knowledgeable and always keen to help where he can. I will continue to use Gary and have no problem recommending his services.
Nearby areas we cover
Get a free quote
Tell us about the building in Ashford and we'll come back to you with a free, no-obligation quote.
- Phone07810 861397
- Emailadmin@thefirenetwork.co.uk
- Office36 Laburnum Drive, Larkfield, ME20 6LU