Fire risk assessments in Gillingham
Gillingham is the largest town in Medway, with more than 110,000 residents. Two-thirds of the former Chatham Dockyard lay within its boundaries.
- Fire authority
- Kent Fire and Rescue Service
- Local council
- Medway Council
- Who attends
- Our own IFSM-member assessors
- Distance
- about 7 miles from our office
- Accreditation
- BAFE SP205, ID 303595
Since the dockyard closed in 1984, the town has rebuilt its economy around Gillingham Business Park, its marina and a mix of retail and services. It is also home to Gillingham FC at Priestfield Stadium.
The town's mix of large business premises and dense terraced housing means very different assessments within a short distance. We work with business park tenants, venue operators, landlords and managing agents across Gillingham and Rainham.
We assess business park units, sports and events venues, HMOs and residential blocks across the town.
Who needs a fire risk assessment in Gillingham
- Business park units
- Gillingham Business Park has offices, light industrial units and warehouses with different tenants and uses. Tenant changes mean assessments need regular review.
- Stadiums and event venues
- Match days bring large crowds and need clear stewarding and evacuation plans. Temporary structures and catering add to the risk on match days.
- HMOs and shared housing
- Parts of Gillingham are covered by Medway's 2026 Article 4 Direction because of HMO concentrations. Converted terraces often have inner rooms and a single escape stair.
- Marina and leisure
- Marinas combine boat storage, fuel and clubhouse facilities. Fuel storage and refuelling need specific controls.
Your local fire authority
Fire safety in Gillingham is enforced by Kent Fire and Rescue Service, which covers Kent and Medway. Its inspectors can visit premises, ask to see your fire risk assessment and issue enforcement notices under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Rules that apply in Gillingham
- Medway Council introduced an Article 4 Direction in 2026 covering parts of Chatham, Gillingham and Strood, so converting a house into a small HMO there now needs planning permission.
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties with 5 or more people forming 2 or more households. What this means
- Your fire risk assessment must be recorded in writing, whatever the size of the business. What this means
Gillingham fire safety questions
Can you assess units on Gillingham Business Park?
Yes. We assess individual units and, for landlords, the shared areas and site-wide arrangements.
Do HMOs in Gillingham need a fire risk assessment?
Yes. The landlord or managing agent must have a written assessment of the common parts.
Can you assess a sports club or event venue?
Yes. We look at crowd capacity, escape routes, stewarding and how temporary structures are managed.
Do you cover Rainham as well as Gillingham?
Yes. We cover Rainham, Gillingham and the rest of Medway, usually within a few working days.
Who enforces fire safety for businesses in Gillingham?
Kent Fire and Rescue Service enforces the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and can inspect premises and issue notices.
From the first conversation Gary was so professional and helpful. We have used them on numerous estates we manage and have no complaints. They are quick to respond to emails or telephone calls and very efficient.
Nearby areas we cover
Get a free quote
Tell us about the building in Gillingham 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