Fire Risk Assessment for Leisure Centres in Southampton

Leisure centres are busy, public-facing buildings with a mix of environments under one roof. Pools, gym floors, studios, kitchens, changing rooms and plant areas all carry different fire risks, and a fire risk assessment needs to account for every one of them. 

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person for a leisure centre in Southampton must have a fire risk assessment in place and keep it up to date.

What a Fire Risk Assessment Looks at in a Leisure Centre 

A leisure centre is not a single-use building. Each area presents its own set of risks, and the assessment reflects that. Our accredited assessors review: 

• Chemical storage areas, particularly pool treatment rooms where chlorine and other substances are kept 

• Kitchen and catering facilities where heat sources and cooking equipment are in regular use 

• Plant rooms housing boilers, ventilation systems and electrical switchgear 

• Gym floors, studios and sports halls with high-density electrical equipment 

• Changing rooms and locker areas 

• Escape routes across multiple levels and open plan spaces, including poolside areas where floor surfaces are wet 

You receive a written report identifying each hazard, who is at risk, what action is needed and a recommended timeline for completion.

Fire Risk in High-Footfall Public Buildings 

Leisure centres welcome a wide range of people throughout the day. Children in swimming lessons, older adults in fitness classes, visitors unfamiliar with the building and staff working across different areas. A fire risk assessment takes all of this into account, looking at how people would exit the building in different scenarios and whether your current signage, alarm systems and escape routes support that. 

Buildings with pools also present specific challenges. Wet floors, limited clothing and echoing acoustics can all affect how quickly and safely people move during an evacuation.

Keeping Your Fire Risk Assessment Current 

A fire risk assessment is a working document. It needs reviewing regularly, and we recommend at least once a year. You should also review it if your building layout changes, you introduce new equipment or your operating hours shift. 

Hawkesworth sends reminders when your next review is due, so it stays on track without you having to manage it.

Fire Risk Assessments Across Multiple Leisure Facilities in Southampton 

If you operate or manage more than one leisure facility across Southampton and Hampshire, we coordinate assessments across all your sites. Digital reporting gives you a single view of every location’s compliance status, which makes life easier when reporting to trustees, council teams or insurers.

Arrange a Fire Risk Assessment for Your Southampton Leisure Centre 

Hawkesworth has experienced, accredited fire risk assessors covering Southampton and the rest of the UK. We provide a detailed written report with practical recommendations specific to your leisure environment. Request your fire risk assessment quote

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement for leisure centres?  

Yes, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all commercial and public premises including leisure centres must have one in place. 

How often should a leisure centre fire risk assessment be reviewed?  

We recommend at least once a year, or whenever your building layout, equipment or operations change. 

Does the assessment cover pool and chemical storage areas?  

Yes, all areas of the building are assessed, including pool plant rooms and chemical storage. 

Can you assess multiple leisure sites across Southampton?  

Yes, we coordinate fire risk assessments across multi-site portfolios with consolidated digital reporting.