Fire risk assessments in Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells is a historic spa town and one of the most important retail centres between London and Hastings. Around 51,000 people live in the town.
- Fire authority
- Kent Fire and Rescue Service
- Local council
- Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
- Who attends
- Our own IFSM-member assessors
- Distance
- about 14 miles from our office
- Accreditation
- BAFE SP205, ID 303595
Hotels, restaurants and retail have long been the town's largest employers, centred on the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre and the Pantiles, the 18th-century colonnade that grew up around the chalybeate spring. Finance and business services are the other major sector.
Away from the centre, many of the town's Victorian villas have been converted into flats, offices and care homes. These conversions often need extra attention to fire separation and to protecting the shared stairs that residents rely on to escape.
We assess retail, hospitality, offices and historic buildings across the town.
Who needs a fire risk assessment in Tunbridge Wells
- Shopping centre and high-street retail
- Royal Victoria Place and the surrounding streets bring large floorplates and high footfall. Stockrooms and fire exits shared with neighbouring units need managing.
- Restaurants, bars and hotels
- Hospitality is one of the town's biggest sectors, with many venues in older buildings. Outdoor seating and late opening add to the risk.
- Historic buildings on the Pantiles
- Listed buildings with restaurants and shops need fire precautions that respect their character. Colonnades and cellars can complicate escape routes.
- Offices
- Finance and business services occupy both modern offices and converted period buildings. Period buildings often have narrow stairs and inner rooms.
Your local fire authority
Business fire safety in Tunbridge Wells falls under Kent Fire and Rescue Service, the authority for Kent and Medway. Its fire safety officers can inspect, advise and, where needed, issue alteration, enforcement or prohibition notices.
Rules that apply in Tunbridge Wells
- Your fire risk assessment must be recorded in writing, whatever the size of the business. What this means
- Residents in any block of two or more flats must be given fire safety information. What this means
Tunbridge Wells fire safety questions
Can you assess restaurants on the Pantiles?
Yes. We look at commercial kitchens, escape routes and separation in older, listed buildings.
Can you assess a unit in Royal Victoria Place?
Yes. We assess your unit and how it fits into the centre's wider evacuation arrangements.
Do you cover Southborough and Rusthall?
Yes. We cover the whole Tunbridge Wells borough.
Do converted Victorian flats in Tunbridge Wells need an assessment?
Yes, for the shared areas. We check fire separation between flats and the protection of the common stairs.
How often should a fire risk assessment in Tunbridge Wells be reviewed?
The law says it must be reviewed regularly and whenever something significant changes, such as a refit, a change of use or a new tenant. For most premises we recommend a review at least once a year.
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 Tunbridge Wells 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