A fire risk assessment looks at a building a works out what could start a fire, who it would put at risk and what needs to be changed to reduce that risk. It’s a legal requirement for all buildings and so much be actioned properly and efficiently.
Who Needs One?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), the ‘responsible person’ has to ensure one is carried out for any workplace or shared buildings, either by doing it themselves if they’re competent to, or by appointing someone who is. That’s the business owner, employer, landlord or whoever is responsible for controlling the building.
It applies to any workplace or shared parts of a building. That includes offices, shop and other commercial properties and the communal areas of residential blocks, such as corridors and stairwells. It doesn’t cover a person’s individual home, but it does cover a landlord who owns a block of flats.
What Happens During An Assessment?
A fire risk assessment covers five steps set out by the government:
- Identifying potential fire hazards
- Identifying the people those hazards can put a risk, including children, elderly and disabled people, as well as visitors who do not know the building.
- Evaluating and reducing those risks
- Recording any significant findings, preparing an emergency plan and training staff.
- Reviewing and updating the assessment regularly
It’s important to remember that one size does not fit all. An office and a hospital don’t carry the same risks, so the assessment should reflect the building it’s actually written for, not a generic checklist.
How Often Should It Be Reviewed?
An annual assessment from a professional is the general recommendation, but this shouldn’t be the only time. Any changes to the building, its layout or how it’s used or the number of people using it should prompt a new assessment to ensure the building is covered.
What Happens If You Don’t Get A Fire Risk Assessment Done?
Non-compliance under the RRFSO can lead to fines and in serious cases where failures prove fatal, imprisonment. In practice, most responsible persons who fall short do so through oversight rather than intent, which is exactly what a scheduled, professional assessment is there to prevent.
The government’s latest figures show how often things can fall short. Of the 50,195 fire safety audits carried out in England in the year to March 2026, 40% had an unsatisfactory outcome. For purpose-built flats of four or more storeys, only 51% were satisfactory.
Such low figures indicate a greater need to ensure fire risk assessments are conducted regularly as a mandatory part of the building’s maintenance. Working with the right providers could drastically reduce a building’s chance of reaching an unsatisfactory outcome.
Who We Work With For Fire Risk Assessments
We carry out fire risk assessments across residential, industrial, commercial, education, healthcare, leisure, transport and defence sectors, UK-wide.
If your sector isn’t mentioned, we may still be able to arrange a fire risk assessment for you.
Get in touch with us to discuss or book a fire risk assessment, or call 0800 035 6827
