Short answer
Can anyone carry out an FRA?
A responsible person can complete an assessment themselves or appoint somebody to assist, but they must ensure the result is suitable and sufficient. Official guidance says any person engaged should be competent for the particular premises and risk.
There is currently no single qualification or register that automatically authorises a person for every assessment. Government is developing a future mandatory certification regime for fire risk assessors; as at 21 July 2026, that work should not be described as an already operating universal certification requirement.
DIY or professional?
When might a responsible person assess their own premises?
Self-assessment may be realistic for a genuinely small, simple and low-risk premises where the person understands the building, activities, occupants and fire precautions and can recognise the limits of their knowledge.
Professional help becomes increasingly important as consequences, uncertainty or technical complexity increase. A cheap template does not make its user competent.
Potentially simpler
Small, straightforward premises with simple escape, familiar occupants and no unusual hazards.
Seek professional help
Sleeping risk, vulnerable people, dangerous substances, complex or high-rise construction, mixed use or fire engineering.
Stop and escalate
When construction is unknown, evidence conflicts, the evacuation strategy is uncertain or specialist appraisal is required.
What to verify
Competence must match the exact assignment
Competence combines knowledge, skills, experience and professional behaviours. The required level depends on the building, occupancy, systems and purpose of the work. Someone capable of assessing a small office may not be suitable for a high-rise block or care home.
Ask for direct evidence rather than accepting broad claims.
- Relevant qualifications, training and continuing professional development
- Recent experience with comparable premises and risk complexity
- Understanding of applicable law, guidance and assessment methodology
- Ability to recognise limitations and involve specialists
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance where relevant
- Clear report writing, risk prioritisation and quality assurance
Registers and certification
Use BAFE and NFRAR as complementary checks
BAFE SP205 is a third-party certification scheme for organisations delivering life-safety fire risk assessments. It includes management-system and validation requirements. NFRAR, administered by the Institute of Fire Safety Managers, records individually assessed fire risk assessors and their competency level.
Check both where relevant: the organisation’s current BAFE SP205 status and the named individual’s current NFRAR registration and level. Neither removes the need to confirm experience with the actual premises.
BAFE SP205
Evidence about the certified organisation, its management system and assessment validation process.
NFRAR
Evidence about the individually assessed assessor and the competency level shown on the register.
Direct experience
Evidence that the person can competently assess your property type, scale, occupants and unusual risks.
Before appointment
Questions to ask an assessor
A useful quotation should define the premises, areas included, expected site time, documents required, report and action-plan format, limitations, price basis and follow-up. Clarify who will visit and who will validate or sign off the assessment.
- Who will carry out the site inspection?
- What comparable premises have they assessed?
- Which areas, systems and documents are included?
- Will the report include photographs and a prioritised action plan?
- How are limitations and specialist recommendations handled?
- Is post-report clarification included?
- Can registrations and insurance be verified directly?
Quality warning signs
Red flags when comparing assessors
Price alone cannot show whether an assessment is suitable. Compare scope, competence, site time, evidence and reporting as well as the fee.
- No physical inspection without a clear, exceptional justification
- Unwillingness to identify the assessor or verify credentials
- No questions about occupancy, use, construction or existing records
- A generic checklist presented as a compliance certificate
- No clear limitations or prioritised action plan
- Claims that one qualification makes the person suitable for every building
- Guarantees of a “pass” before the premises has been assessed