Postcode districts covered: CM21
Fire risk assessments in Sawbridgeworth
Fire risk assessments for listed buildings, riverside premises, flats above shops and small commercial units in Sawbridgeworth, on the Hertfordshire and Essex border.
Is Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire or Essex?
It is in Hertfordshire, even though CM is an Essex postcode area. That matters, because the fire and rescue service responsible for enforcing the Fire Safety Order follows the county boundary rather than the postcode. In Sawbridgeworth the enforcing authority is Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. If your premises are a little way across the boundary, it may be Essex County Fire and Rescue Service instead, so confirm the county before you rely on either. The Hertfordshire service publishes fire safety advice for businesses on the county council website.
What buildings are typical of the town?
Sawbridgeworth lies beside the River Stort, with a long main street of old shops, pubs and houses, and a good number of listed buildings in the centre. Brick warehouses and former mills recall the river trade, and housing estates of different ages surround the old core. The railway station links the town with Cambridge and London.
What matters in a listed or timber-framed building?
Older buildings can hide voids in walls and roof spaces, and their staircases are sometimes the only way out. An assessor looks at how fire could travel through hidden gaps and at how the exit can be protected without damaging historic features. Work that alters the character of a listed building can need consent, so mention a listing when you enquire. East Hertfordshire Council deals with listed building consent.
What about flats above shops and small units?
A shop on the ground floor with a flat above shares a building, and an escape route may pass through the shop or a back room. Assessors check the separation, the alarm link between the two and what is stored near the stair. Small business units around the town often hold stock or equipment that changes from tenant to tenant, so a new occupier is a good moment for a fresh look.
Are riverside premises different?
Yards and old outbuildings by the water can be cramped, with timber, fuel or equipment stored close to the main building. Bins, pallets and fuel kept against a wall can carry a fire from the yard into the building, so an assessor will ask how far they are stored from doors and windows, and who moves them when they build up. Tell the assessor about anything outside as well as inside.
How does an enquiry from Sawbridgeworth work?
Send one form and tick the consent box.
Who you will hear from
We pass your enquiry to one local fire risk assessor, if one covers your postcode. It is never sent to a list of companies. If nobody covers your postcode, we will tell you and will not pass your details on.