Record the finding
State the deficiency, affected area, risk and the outcome that needs to be achieved.
After-the-assessment guide
How to read a fire risk assessment report and action plan
The report is a working management document, not a certificate to file away. Its value comes from checking the scope, understanding the risk and closing actions with evidence.
Action-plan lifecycle
A finding is not closed until the outcome is verified
A useful action plan turns assessment findings into controlled, evidenced work and feeds completed changes back into the FRA and fire-safety records.
Prioritise and control
Set urgency and introduce proportionate interim measures where risk cannot wait.
Assign and complete
Name the responsible owner, due date, dependency and competent person needed for the work.
Evidence and verify
Keep certificates, photographs, drawings, test results and competent confirmation where appropriate.
Close and review
Confirm the intended outcome, update records and reconsider the FRA when the change is significant.
Scope note: An invoice or “done” marker is not always proof of risk reduction. Closure evidence should match the nature and importance of the finding.
On receipt
Check the report is complete and factually accurate
Confirm the address, building description, use, occupancy, responsible persons, assessment date, assessor and areas inspected. Errors in these basics can undermine later conclusions.
Read the scope and limitations before relying on the report. Note inaccessible areas, missing records, assumptions, sampling and recommendations for specialist investigation.
- Correct premises, uses, storeys and occupancy
- Responsible persons and control boundaries
- Assessment and inspection dates
- Named assessor and organisation
- Areas included, excluded, sampled or inaccessible
- Documents relied upon and important evidence gaps
Interpretation
Understand findings, ratings and recommendations
Reports use different risk-rating and priority systems. Read the methodology and the finding itself instead of assuming that labels such as moderate, medium or priority two have a universal definition.
A useful finding explains the condition, location, people affected, reason it matters and outcome required. It should distinguish a confirmed issue from further investigation needed.
Overall risk
A summary judgment that does not cancel individual urgent findings.
Action priority
The order or urgency assigned under the report’s stated method.
Recommendation
The risk-control outcome sought; design may require a competent specialist.
Limitation
Something that restricted the assessor’s evidence or conclusion and may need follow-up.
Immediate control
Triage urgent actions and interim measures
A deadline is not permission to leave an intolerable risk unmanaged until that date. Where permanent work cannot be immediate, consider proportionate interim controls and record who authorised and monitors them.
Seek clarification promptly if urgency, location or required outcome is unclear. Call 999 for an emergency; an FRA report is not an emergency-response channel.
- Identify findings requiring immediate attention
- Confirm whether an alarm, escape or compartmentation defect changes safe use
- Restrict or suspend unsafe activities or areas where necessary
- Increase checks, supervision or other interim controls where justified
- Notify affected responsible persons and relevant occupants
- Set escalation and monitoring until permanent closure
Controlled delivery
Turn recommendations into an accountable action plan
Keep the assessor’s finding intact, then add management fields for ownership, target date, status, dependencies, interim controls, evidence and verification. Large projects may need procurement and design stages without losing sight of the original risk.
Prioritisation should reflect risk, but quick low-priority improvements need not wait simply because larger work is underway.
Owner
A named person with authority to progress the action.
Target
A risk-based completion date and interim milestones.
Evidence
Photos, invoices, certificates, drawings, reports or records showing the outcome.
Verification
A competent check that work solved the finding and did not create another risk.
Right specialist
Use competence appropriate to each action
The FRA assessor may identify an outcome without designing or certifying remedial work. Match contractors and specialists to the alarm, doors, compartmentation, emergency lighting, electrical, structural or fire-engineering task involved.
When competence evidence is relevant to risk assessment work, consider both BAFE SP205 at organisation level and NFRAR for the individual assessor. For remedial systems, use the appropriate certification and competence evidence for that exact service rather than treating FRA credentials as universal.
- Define the required outcome and design responsibility
- Obtain comparable written scopes
- Check relevant experience, insurance and certification
- Control changes, access and system impairments during work
- Collect completion evidence and update drawings or records
- Return unresolved or changed risk to the responsible person
Closure and review
Close actions with evidence and update the FRA
Marking an action complete should mean the risk-control outcome has been verified, not merely that an invoice was paid. Record residual issues, recurring maintenance and any change to the emergency plan, training or inspection regime.
Review the FRA when actions or further investigations materially change the understanding of the premises. Retain the report, action history and evidence so decisions can be explained to other dutyholders and enforcing authorities.
Related guidance and support
Continue with premises and local guidance
Choose the closest property guide, then use the relevant London or Surrey route when you are ready to compare local assessment support.
Frequently asked questions
How to read a fire risk assessment report and action plan FAQs
Does a moderate-risk FRA mean the building is compliant?
No. Rating terms depend on the report method, and individual findings may still require urgent action. An FRA is not a compliance certificate.
Must every recommendation be completed immediately?
Actions should be prioritised by risk. Urgent risks need prompt control, while longer projects may use justified interim measures, milestones and monitoring.
Can I challenge an FRA finding?
You can ask the assessor to explain evidence, reasoning, scope and intended outcome. Resolve factual errors, but do not delay necessary protection simply because a preferred solution or price is disputed.
What proves an FRA action is complete?
Evidence depends on the action and may include photographs, certificates, reports, updated drawings, training records and competent verification that the required outcome was achieved.
Do I need a new FRA after remedial work?
Review the assessment. Significant work or new information may require revision or reassessment, while limited verified actions may be recorded within the existing review process.
London and Surrey support
Ask about a professional assessment
Tell us what premises you are responsible for and what prompted your enquiry. Your details can be reviewed and passed to an assessor serving your area.
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- Use the details box for risks, changes or deadlines
Sources and limitations
Guidance reviewed 3 August 2026
This page provides general information for England. It is not legal advice or a building-specific assessment. Fire Safety Services is independent and is not affiliated with the Government, enforcing authorities, BAFE, NFRAR or IFSM.