Can I copy this fire risk assessment example for my premises?

No. The example demonstrates structure and reasoning only. Your assessment must reflect the actual construction, use, occupants, hazards, precautions, management and evidence at your premises.

Does a fire risk assessment give a pass or fail?

Not normally. It evaluates risk and the adequacy of precautions, records findings and identifies actions. A summary rating can help communicate priority but must not replace the underlying evidence and reasoning.

What should a fire risk assessment action plan contain?

Each action should state the problem and required outcome, its priority, any interim control, who owns it, a target date, status and evidence used to verify completion.

Are all findings significant findings?

The assessment must now be recorded in full. Significant findings are the material conclusions and measures arising from the assessment, but recording should not be artificially limited to a short list or to premises with five or more employees.

Would this example be suitable for an HMO or block of flats?

No. Sleeping residential buildings raise different construction, occupancy, evacuation and management questions. Use a premises-specific guide and appoint competence appropriate to the building.

Fire Risk Assessment Example | Completed FRA & Action Plan

Premises and scope

Fictional office profile

Example House is a converted two-storey commercial building occupied by one professional-services business. The assessment covers the office accommodation, kitchenette, internal stair and final exits.

Use: Office with reception and meeting rooms
Occupancy: Normally 14; maximum 18 staff plus visitors
Operating hours: 08:00–19:00, Monday to Friday
Sleeping risk: None
Storeys: Ground and first floor
Approximate area: 320 m²
Assessment scope: Visual, non-destructive inspection and record review
Excluded: Concealed construction and detailed system servicing

Assumptions and limitations

No opening-up was undertaken. Fire resistance concealed above ceilings was not verified. Maintenance records were sampled, and an unavailable alarm service certificate is recorded as an action rather than assumed satisfactory.

People at risk

Who may be harmed, and why?

Most staff know the building and can use the internal stair independently. The assessment also considers visitors, contractors, lone workers and anyone who may need assistance temporarily or permanently.

Employees

Usually familiar with the alarm and two final exits, but refresher records are incomplete.

Visitors

May not recognise the alarm or routes and depend on their host for information.

People needing assistance

No current employee has declared a need, but the visitor process does not reliably identify or communicate one.

Lone workers and contractors

Occasional out-of-hours work requires the alarm, access and emergency arrangements to remain effective.

03 · Findings

Hazards, precautions and required improvements

Each row records an observation, explains the required outcome and assigns an initial priority. A real report would include locations, evidence and photographs where useful.

Subject	Example observation	Required outcome	Priority
Electrical equipment and extension leads	Portable equipment is used throughout. One workstation has two multiway extension leads connected together.	Remove the daisy-chained arrangement immediately. Provide sufficient fixed sockets or a suitable single distribution arrangement following competent electrical advice.	High
Kitchenette and combustible items	Microwave, toaster and kettle are on a non-combustible worktop. Packaging is sometimes stored beside the toaster.	Introduce a marked clear zone around cooking appliances and include it in the closing check.	Medium
Rear final exit	The rear exit opens without a key, but two archive boxes narrow the approach route.	Remove the boxes immediately and mark the route as a no-storage area.	High
Fire door to kitchenette	The nominal fire-resisting door does not fully close into its frame from every position.	Arrange competent inspection and adjustment; keep the kitchenette use controlled until repaired.	High
Fire alarm and testing	A suitable alarm appears present and weekly tests are recorded. The latest service certificate was not available during the visit.	Obtain and verify the current service record; arrange servicing if it cannot be evidenced.	Medium
Evacuation assistance	A visitor sign-in system exists, but no written method records or communicates assistance needs.	Introduce a proportionate visitor and employee assistance process and brief relevant staff.	High
Emergency lighting records	Emergency lights are installed. Monthly function-test records have not been maintained for the last three months.	Resume and record routine testing; escalate faults and retain competent service evidence.	Medium
Fire-safety information	Induction covers the alarm and assembly point. Refresher training is not scheduled or recorded consistently.	Set a risk-based refresher and drill programme, including new starters and changes in duties.	Medium

Evaluation

Example overall conclusion

The office has established escape routes, an alarm, emergency lighting and basic management arrangements. Several shortcomings reduce confidence that those arrangements will remain effective for every foreseeable occupant.

Illustrative risk summary

Improvements are required, with four high-priority actions

The escape-route obstruction and unsafe extension-lead arrangement should be corrected immediately. The fire door and assistance arrangements require prompt action. Medium-priority record and management improvements should follow within the stated periods.

This wording does not declare the premises to have “passed” or “failed”. It communicates the assessor’s reasoned conclusion, the limits of available evidence and what the responsible person must manage next.

05 · Action plan

Turn findings into accountable work

Target dates should reflect risk and practical delivery. Where permanent work cannot be immediate, the responsible person should record and maintain suitable interim controls.

Ref	Action	Priority	Owner	Target	Status
A01	Remove extension-lead daisy chain and provide safe power arrangement	High	Office manager	Immediate	Open
A02	Clear rear escape route and introduce no-storage marking/check	High	Facilities lead	Immediate	Open
A03	Competently inspect and repair kitchenette fire door	High	Building manager	14 days	Open
A04	Create and brief evacuation-assistance arrangements	High	HR and fire lead	14 days	Open
A05	Verify current alarm service record or arrange service	Medium	Facilities lead	30 days	Open
A06	Resume emergency-lighting test records and verify defects	Medium	Facilities lead	7 days	Open
A07	Set documented refresher training and drill programme	Medium	Office manager	30 days	Open
A08	Introduce kitchenette clear-zone closing check	Medium	Office manager	7 days	Open

Completion needs evidence

Changing “Open” to “Complete” should require suitable evidence, such as a photograph, invoice, service record, revised procedure, training record or responsible-person verification. The action log should retain the completion date and reviewer.

Review

When this example assessment would be revisited

The responsible person sets and records a proportionate planned review programme, but does not wait for that date when a change or new evidence may affect validity.

After the high-priority actions are completed, to verify closure and reconsider the conclusion
After significant layout, occupancy, use or construction changes
Following a fire, near miss, enforcement concern or important system failure
When new information suggests an assumption or existing precaution is unreliable
Regularly as part of the organisation’s fire-safety management arrangements

Fire risk assessment example

Evidence, judgement and action should connect

Describe

Evaluate

Act