At Key Fire Ltd, fire safety isn’t just a service — it’s a responsibility we take personally. Founded by Keith Bankhead, a former firefighter with over 15 years of experience in the fire industry, our company is built on a foundation of real-world knowledge, professional integrity, and a deep commitment to protecting lives.

Keith served for over a decade on the front lines of the UK Fire & Rescue Service, gaining firsthand insight into how fire behaves — and the consequences when systems fail. Since leaving operational duty, he has delivered major fire remedial projects under MOD scrutiny, managing compliance across secure military environments nationwide. This includes complex upgrades to fire compartmentation, fire door strategies, and life safety systems across barracks, high-security installations, and heritage military estates.

At Key Fire Ltd, we specialise in:

Fire Risk Assessments

Fire Door Surveys

Compartmentation Inspections

Every assessment is carried out by a fully qualified professional, holding the Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment, using PAS 79 methodology and current legal frameworks. Our reporting is clear, prioritised, and supported with photographic evidence, helping clients act quickly and confidently.

Although we’re based in County Durham, we work across the North and travel UK-wide when needed. Our experience spans a wide range of sectors — from MOD and defence to residential housing, education settings, commercial units, and healthcare environments. We understand how each site brings its own risks, challenges, and legal responsibilities, and we tailor every survey accordingly.

But it’s not just about compliance — it’s about doing what’s right.

At Key Fire Ltd, our values come first. We believe in being honest, straightforward, and professional, with a genuine desire to protect the people behind the properties we assess. Our work isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about ensuring people get home safe, and that buildings are genuinely prepared for the worst. That means no upselling, no scare tactics, and no shortcuts — just solid fire safety advice from people who care.

We remain a small, specialist team, proudly rooted in fire service culture. Everyone involved — from assessors to admin — has either served or currently serves in the Fire & Rescue Service. Fire safety isn’t just something we do. It’s who we are.

our vision is to grow the business steadily, bringing in more assessors who share our background, ethics, and standards. We want to raise the bar in this industry — and we’ll do it by staying grounded in what matters: people, protection, and professionalism.