Fire Risk Assessment: What It Is and Does Your Property Need One?

What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment (FRA) is a systematic review of your property that identifies fire hazards, evaluates who is at risk, and recommends actions to reduce the risk of fire and ensure people can escape safely if a fire does occur.

It's not just a form-filling exercise — a proper FRA involves a physical inspection of the building, a review of your existing fire precautions, and a prioritised action plan to address any shortfalls.

Is a Fire Risk Assessment a Legal Requirement?

Yes — under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a written fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises in England and Wales. This includes:

• All business premises (offices, shops, restaurants, warehouses, factories)
• Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) — mandatory for all licensed HMOs
• Blocks of flats — common areas must be assessed
• Care homes, schools, and other regulated premises
• Churches, village halls, and community buildings

What Does a Fire Risk Assessor Look At?

During an assessment, a qualified fire risk assessor will review:

• Fire hazards — Ignition sources (electrical equipment, cooking, heating), fuel sources (paper, furniture, flammable liquids), and oxygen sources.
• People at risk — Who is in the building, particularly anyone with reduced mobility, hearing impairment, or who works in isolated areas.
• Existing fire precautions — Detection and alarm systems, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, fire exits, signage, and structural fire separation.
• Fire escape routes — Are exits accessible, unobstructed, clearly signed, and adequate for the number of occupants?
• Staff training and procedures — Fire drills, knowledge of evacuation procedures, and nominated fire marshals.

What Happens After the Assessment?

The assessor produces a written report that summarises the findings, identifies any non-compliances, and recommends remedial actions. Actions are typically prioritised as immediate (critical safety issues), short-term (to be addressed within three months), and longer-term maintenance items.

As the 'responsible person' for the premises (usually the owner, employer, or managing agent), you are legally required to implement the recommendations within a reasonable timeframe and keep the assessment up to date.

How Often Does a Fire Risk Assessment Need to Be Reviewed?

There is no fixed legal interval, but the guidance is to review your FRA whenever:

• There is a change in the use or layout of the premises
• Significant construction or refurbishment work takes place
• The number of occupants increases significantly
• A fire or near-miss occurs
• As a general best practice — at least every 12 months for HMOs and commercial premises

Who Can Carry Out a Fire Risk Assessment?

The responsible person can carry out their own FRA for simple, low-risk premises. However, for anything other than the most straightforward single-occupancy office or retail unit, we strongly recommend using a qualified, independent fire risk assessor.

Security Red Alert does not carry out fire risk assessments ourselves. What we do is install, service and certificate the systems the assessment calls for: fire alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers and smoke ventilation. If your FRA lists actions, send it to us and we will quote each item with a fixed price, and if you still need an assessor we can point you to independent ones we work alongside in London.