What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a structured review of a building or premises to identify potential fire hazards, determine who may be at risk, and evaluate whether adequate fire prevention and emergency measures are in place. It is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for most non-domestic premises in the UK.

Whether you manage a small retail unit, an office block, a care home, or a residential property with communal areas, a fire risk assessment is critical to protecting people and ensuring compliance with the law.

What Does a Fire Risk Assessment Involve?

The process is essentially a form of general risk assessment focused specifically on fire safety. It typically includes:

1. Identifying Fire Hazards

This is based on the fire triangle and the three elements required for a fire to occur:

• Sources of ignition: These include electrical equipment (most common), cooking appliances in kitchens, open flames, heaters, and arson.
• Sources of fuel: Paper, cardboard, rubbish in bins, poor housekeeping, textiles, packaging materials, and flammable liquids.
• Sources of oxygen: Normally just air, but can include oxygen cylinders, mechanical ventilation, or poorly managed airflow.

2. Identifying People at Risk

This includes:

• Staff who are familiar with procedures and exits
• Visitors or contractors who may not know how to escape
• Vulnerable individuals, such as elderly residents, children, or those with disabilities

Where appropriate, the responsible person must put in place:

• PEEPs (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans)
• GEEPs (General Emergency Evacuation Plans)

3. Evaluating Risk and Deciding Precautions

This means assessing how likely a fire is to start and whether your current systems are enough to protect life and property. Common precautions include:

• Fire alarms, emergency lighting, and signage
• Escape route design and clarity
• Fire doors and compartmentation
• Extinguishers and suppression systems
• Regular fire drills and training

4. Recording Findings and Creating an Action Plan

A written record is legally required if you have five or more employees.

• Simple premises can use Home Office templates
• Complex buildings may require more formal methods like PAS 79
• Newer guidance is also available under BS 9792, which supersedes PAS 79 in many settings and outlines a complete fire risk management system

5. Reviewing and Updating the Assessment

Contrary to popular belief, there is no requirement to review annually. Instead, the assessment should be reviewed when:

• There are significant changes to the building or its use
• Occupancy or risk levels change
• New fire safety regulations are introduced

Automatic annual reviews are common practice but not a legal requirement unless changes occur.

Who Needs a Fire Risk Assessment?

Under Article 3 of the Fire Safety Order, the duty lies with the “responsible person,” which may be:

• Employers
• Building owners
• Landlords
• Facilities managers
• Heads of departments or estate managers in public sector buildings

In multi-tenanted buildings, there may be multiple duty holders. In such cases, Article 22 requires them to cooperate and communicate to ensure collective compliance.

Not something you want to get wrong — you can find fire safety consultants and contact them directly.

Can I Do It Myself or Do I Need a Professional?

Technically, a responsible person can complete the assessment if they are competent but that’s a high bar to meet. Competence means:

• Understanding the relevant legislation
• Knowing how fires start and spread
• Being able to evaluate complex risks and building layouts

In practice:

• Low-risk buildings (e.g. small offices) might use templates
• Most businesses benefit from hiring a qualified and insured consultant
• Complex or high-risk premises should always use a professional

How Much Does It Cost?

Pricing varies depending on the size, complexity, and type of building:

Need Help Finding a Fire Risk Assessor?

We can connect you with a verified, insured fire safety consultant in your area. Whether you’re preparing for an inspection, managing multiple properties, or updating outdated documentation — we’re here to help.

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