The foundation
What is a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment is a methodical examination of a premises, its fire hazards, the people who could be harmed and the measures needed to reduce risk and protect life.
It is not simply a checklist of extinguishers and alarms. A suitable and sufficient assessment considers how a fire might start, how it could spread, who may be affected, whether people can escape safely and how fire safety is managed day to day.
The findings should lead to practical action. Some risks may be removed immediately; others may require maintenance, changes to procedures, improved equipment or specialist advice. The responsible person remains accountable for making sure the assessment is suitable and the required precautions are put in place.
An assessment should explain what could cause a fire, who could be at risk, how well they are currently protected and what needs to improve.
Legal responsibility
Who needs a fire risk assessment?
In England, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to most non-domestic premises and to relevant parts of multi-occupied residential buildings. The person with duties is known as the responsible person.
Use the detailed premises and responsibility check
You may be a responsible person if you are:
- an employer responsible for a workplace;
- the owner, landlord or occupier of premises;
- a managing agent, facilities manager or building manager with control;
- responsible for a guesthouse, bed and breakfast or self-catering accommodation; or
- one of several people sharing responsibility for a multi-occupied building.
More than one responsible person can have duties in the same building. They must cooperate, coordinate their fire-safety measures and record relevant information about the extent of their responsibilities.
Read the detailed guide to who is responsible for a fire risk assessment
Fire risk assessments for landlords and blocks of flats
For a block of flats, the Fire Safety Order covers the building’s structure, external walls, flat entrance doors and common parts such as corridors and stairways. It does not generally apply inside an individual private domestic flat. Landlords of HMOs and other rented properties may also have duties under housing legislation, licensing conditions and local authority requirements.
Fire risk assessments for small businesses
Small premises are not automatically exempt. A shop, office, café, workshop or other small business may still require a recorded assessment. The size of the organisation does not remove the duty; it influences the complexity of the assessment and the precautions that may be reasonable.
The recognised process
What does a fire risk assessment include?
The Home Office’s five-step approach provides a clear structure for completing and recording an assessment.
See the complete inspection and report scope guide
- 01
Identify fire hazards
Look for sources of ignition, combustible materials and oxygen. Consider electrical equipment, cooking, heating, smoking, deliberate fire-setting, hot work, dangerous substances and housekeeping.
- 02
Identify people at risk
Consider employees, residents, visitors, contractors and anyone nearby. Pay particular attention to people who may need assistance, including disabled people, young persons, older people, lone workers and those unfamiliar with the building.
- 03
Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect
Judge the likelihood and consequences of fire. Remove hazards where possible, reduce remaining risks and check escape routes, fire detection, emergency lighting, signs, doors, firefighting equipment and other precautions.
- 04
Record, plan, inform and train
Record the assessment in full, document fire-safety arrangements, prepare an emergency plan and tell relevant people what they need to know. Provide suitable instruction and training.
- 05
Review and update
Keep the assessment under review. Update it when circumstances change or there is reason to believe it is no longer valid.
Competence matters
Can you carry out your own fire risk assessment?
A responsible person can complete an assessment themselves when they are competent to do so. However, downloading a template does not by itself establish competence or make the resulting assessment suitable and sufficient.
The government’s simplified checklist is intended for the simplest premises and for responsible persons who feel competent and capable. Professional help is sensible where:
- people sleep at the premises or may need assistance to evacuate;
- the building is large, multi-storey, mixed-use or has a complex layout;
- there are dangerous substances, unusual processes or higher fire loads;
- fire-engineered measures or unfamiliar construction are present;
- the premises has enforcement history or significant unresolved actions; or
- you are unsure how to judge the risks or adequacy of precautions.
Choosing a competent fire risk assessor
Ask about relevant training, experience with your type of premises, insurance and the scope of the written report. Consider both individual registration, such as the National Fire Risk Assessors Register (NFRAR), and third-party company certification, such as BAFE SP205. Record the steps you took when selecting an assessor and record the assessor’s name and organisation.
Quotations explained
How much does a fire risk assessment cost?
Fire risk assessment prices vary because the work must reflect the actual premises and risks. A low headline price is not meaningful unless the scope, competence and reporting standard are clear.
Premises
Floor area, number of storeys, layout, construction and accessibility.
Use and occupancy
Business activity, sleeping risk, visitor numbers and people needing assistance.
Complexity
Mixed uses, shared responsibilities, dangerous substances and specialist systems.
Scope and records
Available plans, previous assessments, testing records and depth of reporting required.
For a more reliable fire risk assessment quote in London or Surrey, provide the full address, use of the premises, approximate floor area, number of floors, occupancy, any sleeping accommodation and the reason the assessment is required.
Professional assessment
What happens during a fire risk assessment?
Information gathering
The assessor confirms the scope and requests useful records, such as plans, previous assessments, alarm and emergency-lighting tests, maintenance information and occupancy details.
Inspection and discussion
The visit examines hazards, escape arrangements, fire protection and management practices. The assessor may speak with the responsible person or staff to understand how the premises operates.
Report and action plan
You receive a written record of findings and recommended actions, normally prioritised by risk. The responsible person should review the report, assign actions and retain evidence of completion.
Follow the full assessment process from booking to report
Keeping it current
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
There is no single statutory interval that fits every premises. The assessment must be reviewed regularly and kept up to date. A review is particularly important:
- after alterations, refurbishment or a change in layout;
- when the use, occupancy or people at risk change;
- after changes to fire alarms, doors, escape routes or other precautions;
- after a fire, false-alarm pattern, near miss or enforcement concern; or
- when there is any reason to suspect the assessment is no longer valid.
Record that the review took place, its date, the information considered and any revisions or new actions.