What is a fire risk assessment?
A plain explanation of what the document is, who is legally required to have one, and what separates an assessment that stands up from one that does not.
An organised look at how a fire would start, spread and be escaped
A fire risk assessment examines a specific building and answers three questions: what could start a fire here, who would be harmed, and would the precautions in place actually work. The findings are written down with an action plan that puts the most serious problems first.
The duty comes from the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies to almost every non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common parts of buildings containing flats and the whole of a house in multiple occupation. There is no exemption based on size, and the duty falls on a named responsible person rather than on the organisation.
MethodThe five steps
- Identify the fire hazards, meaning sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen
- Identify the people at risk, including anyone who would need help to evacuate
- Evaluate the risk, then remove or reduce it as far as is reasonably practicable
- Record the significant findings, prepare an emergency plan and train people on it
- Review the assessment and keep it current as the building changes
Step five is the one most often missed. An assessment carried out three years ago for a building that has since been reconfigured is not a current assessment, and will not be treated as one.
Common questions
What is a fire risk assessment?
A structured review of a building that identifies fire hazards, works out who is at risk, and judges whether the existing precautions are adequate. The significant findings are recorded along with an action plan. It is a legal requirement for virtually all non-domestic premises in England and Wales.
What does suitable and sufficient mean?
It is the legal standard the assessment must meet. In practice it means proportionate to the building: thorough enough to identify the real risks in that specific premises, rather than a generic checklist that could describe anywhere.
Who can carry one out?
A competent person, meaning someone with sufficient training, experience and knowledge. For a simple low risk premises that may be the responsible person themselves. For sleeping accommodation or anything complex it realistically means a professional assessor.
What is the difference between a fire risk assessment and a fire safety inspection?
The assessment is what you commission and hold. An inspection is what the fire and rescue authority carries out to check you have done it. The first thing an inspecting officer asks to see is the assessment.
Get a fixed price for your assessment
Tell us the property type and roughly how many rooms or how much floor area. You will get a fixed price back the same working day, with no site visit needed to quote.
Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm. Emergency callouts by arrangement.