Second Sight Risk Management

14/05/2026

We've been a bit quiet lately, but we've not gone anywhere!

We've been getting started on a large design project with a new customer, helping them to navigate the joys of BS9999 and Approved Document B to ensure life safety in their new warehouse.

Also really pleased to work again with a previous customer in ensuring that one of their new properties is compliant and fire risk mitigated. Fantastic to see them carry over lessons from our fire risk assessment of their other property, a bed and breakfast, before our visit - always nice to be listened to 😅

The CPD continues, more formally this time with two FireQual certificates arriving in the post, and our trainee preparing for their final assignment for their fire risk assessment diploma with National Safety Academy | NSA. We've got everything crossed for them🤞

But of course, there's no such thing as being too busy - if you need any assistance with fire risk assessment, fire strategy or insurance risk management, do get in touch!

30/04/2026

And who said CPD can't be fun?!

Second Sight Risk Management took a road trip to the NEC, Birmingham yesterday for the Fire Safety Event (FSE) - it was great to meet suppliers and witness the innovation being brought to the industry, as well as attending some fascinating lectures. We'll definitely be bringing this knowledge to our future assessments.

And while there were representatives of various accrediting bodies at the show, Hannah won the highest accolade of all - stacking five boxes in the right order in 10 seconds 😅 Only 7 people had done it in two days so she's definitely one to watch!

27/04/2026

Is doing your own fire risk assessment REALLY saving money? 🔥💰

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires fire risk assessments to be undertaken in commercial and multiple occupancy residential properties. It doesn’t matter if you have clients in your home or you’re in a large industrial unit, you still need a fire risk assessment!

To be compliant with law and protect lives, these assessments must be suitable and sufficient and be completed by a person with a suitable level of competency.

The complexity of a premises, including the nature of is occupants, usage and construction affect the level of competency needed, and if you’re not experienced in this field, it’s easy to overlook essential information.

Afterall, you don’t know what you don’t know!

But what you don’t know can also increase the risk of a fire at your premises and the safety of those using it, having a huge impact on your business and its reputation.

At Second Sight Risk Management, we’ve been assessed as competent by the Institute of Fire Safety Managers, and are registered on the National Fire Risk Assessors Register (NFRAR) for Tier 2 fire risk assessments, so you know you’re getting quality advice.

So, if you’d like to discuss fire risk assessments or need help with your health and safety compliance, get in touch with Second Sight Risk Management today!

We don’t do hard sell and can provide no obligation quotes, as well as advise on suitable guidance to help reduce your fire risk.

23/04/2026

We're delighted to have been invited to exhibit at Mid Devon District Council's Landlord Networking Event 2026! 🏠

We've got our banner ready and are looking forward to meeting local landlords soon, offering fire risk assessment, and health and safety compliance guidance for residential and commercial properties alike.

If you're attending, come and have a chat on 13th May at Upton Barn & Walled Garden, Cullompton.

Tickets are still available: https://www.middevon.gov.uk/residents/private-sector-housing/private-landlords/landlord-networking-events/

15/04/2026

How many policy conditions is too many? 👀

A recent survey saw us discussing THIRTY ONE individual conditions with a simple hospitality risk. 🤯

We’re all guilty of not ‘reading the small print’ at some point in our lives, only for it to come back and bite us later. But when it comes to your Insurance Policy, adhering to conditions can be pivotal in deciding whether you receive a payment at arguably one of the most crucial and stressful times that your business could face.

Can you honestly say that you’re aware of ALL of your conditions?

Here’s some examples that have caught clients out recently:

🛖 3 yearly EICR required because of the presence of a thatched roof. Insured’s electrician had recommended 5 yearly intervals as would likely be recommended by most under BS 7671.

⚠️ Door mats MUST be present at all entrances to the property in order to prevent slips and trips.

🍟 Kitchen extraction ducting must be cleaned 6 monthly, despite the Insured’s contractor advising annual cleaning based on wet film thickness tests.

So even though you may be adhering to industry best practice or regulations, you could accidentally be breaching policy conditions and risk not receiving a payout in the event of a loss at your property.

This is an example of where risk engineering can be crucial for the Insured as well as the Insurer – taking time to discuss policy conditions, although not the most exciting, makes clients aware of how they can ensure they’re compliant and receive the compensation they deserve should they need it.

This shouldn’t be an exercise in informing on clients to Insurers, rather a means to help potential oversight for very busy people who often have better things to do!

Whatever your opinion on policy conditions – sensible risk mitigation or ‘traps’ to prevent payouts – the fact is that unless you negotiate these out of your policy, you need to toe the line.

If you feel that you might benefit from someone casting an eye over your policy conditions, helping with compliance or undertaking a fire risk assessment at your premises, we can help – just get in touch.

[email protected]

08/04/2026

Annnnnnd we’ve done it! 🥳

We’ve been assessed by the The Institute of Fire Safety Managers - IFSM as suitably competent to undertake Intermediate/Tier 2 Fire Risk Assessments and our listing on the National Fire Risk Assessor Register (NFRAR) has been upgraded.

This means we can now assess more complex and higher risk buildings such as mid-rise residential blocks, hotels, small manufacturing environments, public venues and schools.

If you need a fire risk assessment or simply a no obligation quote, get in touch today via messenger or on our website:

www.secondsightrm.co.uk

01/04/2026

We’ve very much enjoyed working with local Tiverton businesses recently!

Following continued growth, Diamond Estate Agents came to us for help completing a fire risk assessment, as well as for health and safety advice & documentation production. It was great meeting the team and seeing behind the scenes of a premises we’ve passed hundreds of times.

We’ve also been working with Five Cedars Health & Beauty to produce their fire risk assessment, ensuring customers are both pampered and safe. Definitely one of the nicer environments that we’ve worked in – it’s not often our work is accompanied by a soothing ambient soundtrack!

Travel takes Second Sight Risk Management all over the country, so being able to walk down to a client is a welcome change.

No travel time also means we can offer very competitive rates, and we’re always nearby if you need us again.

If you need any support with your fire risk assessment or occupational health & safety, get in touch today via messenger or our website:

Fire risk assessments for businesses, residential complexes & holiday let owners, plus insurance risk surveys. National Fire Risk Assessor Registered. Based in Tiverton, Devon.

24/03/2026

Plug-in photovoltaic panels - climate and financial dream, or fire risk nightmare? ☀️ 🏡 🔥

One of today's big news stories is about the rewriting of BS 7671 to allow for the retail and installation of 'plug-in' photovoltaic panels which are described as being a mainstay in Europe and according to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, will be part of the the government's mission to 'roll out clean power so we can give our country energy sovereignty.'

This change is proposed following studies into the safety of such devices, however by removing the requirement for a competent installer, will there inadvertently be an increase in photovoltaic panel fires from poorly installed or maintained panels?

Furthermore, there have been calls for these systems to be supplemented with battery energy storage systems to ensure any excess energy produced can be stored for later use. Such systems already present a significant hazard through the introduction of lithium ion batteries into premises, often as an after thought and therefore shoved in storage cupboards lacking adequate compartmentation.

Take the examples in these images:

-One system, installed at a commercial location, has been installed externally in timber housing. The image shows that even with the doors closed, water has been entering this installation. The remainder of the building is timber clad; a battery fire therefore has potential to spread out of its housing to the main building and cause a total loss.

-The other image shows a battery and inverter installed in an understairs cupboard in a sleeping risk. A high fire load in close proximity to this infrastructure increases the likelihood of fire development and spread, whilst inadequate compartmentation would allow a fire to spread to the timber stairs which are the only form of escape from the first floor. There is therefore a serious risk to life.

Photovoltaic systems are undoubtedly part of the solution to ongoing issues with energy generation, but education and firm guidance will be needed alongside their supply to ensure life and property safety.

17/03/2026

Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh pair of eyes 👀

During a recent insurance risk management survey, we spotted this set up and at first glance, it may not look like much. Correct fire extinguishers and fire blankets in place, as well as a regular safety audits. However a closer look revealed that the electrical isolation switch in the kitchen was located immediately behind deep fat fryers, a common cause of kitchen fires.

If the fryer ignited, there would be no immediately safe way to isolate the electricity requiring staff to seek out the correct distribution board in a panicked situation and costing valuable time in which the fire can grow and spread.

This endangers life and property alike and can be fixed easily by simply relocating the fryers.

If you need a fire risk assessment, health and safety advice or a premises audit, let Second Sight Risk Management help today.

09/03/2026

An unusual fire risk assessment for us today - Greenlands Bed & Breakfast, a welcoming property with a view of Britain's second largest stone circle, Stanton Drew AND a Nissen Hut in the grounds.

Two preserved pieces of history, albeit from eras separated by around 4500 years and with different levels of risk! 😅

If your premises (historical monuments optional) needs a fire risk assessment, get in touch today for a no obligation quote, or have a look at our website:

https://www.secondsightrm.co.uk/

02/03/2026

Our FREE Resources Page is now LIVE! 🥳

We've sifted through the hoard of risk guidance documentation made available by various different bodies and brought what we feel are the most pertinent topics together for our customers, all in one place.

There are sections covering fire, environmental perils, security and business interruption, as well as some of our very own bespoke templates for download.

This section will keep growing as we do, with more of our exclusive resources available to download so don't forget to check back every now and then!

https://www.secondsightrm.co.uk/resources

P.S. If there's anything anything you'd like to see added to this page, let us know and we'll do our best to help!

Knowledge is power, and when it comes to risk management, being informed is the first step in preventing property damage and personal injury at your premises. We’ve pulled together a selection of educational resources, including industry guides and in-house produced videos, to help you mitigate ag