Fire Risk Assessments in the UK: A Guide for Responsible Persons
A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for most non-domestic premises in the UK. If you are an employer, building owner, or occupier, you have responsibilities under fire safety law — and understanding those responsibilities is the first step to keeping your people and premises safe.
This guide explains what a fire risk assessment involves, who is responsible for carrying one out, the six steps of the process, and what the law requires following significant changes to fire safety legislation in recent years.
The Legal Framework
Fire safety in England and Wales is primarily governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, commonly referred to as the Fire Safety Order. Equivalent legislation exists in Scotland (Fire (Scotland) Act 2005) and Northern Ireland (Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006).
Under the Fire Safety Order, the 'responsible person' — typically the employer, building owner, or occupier — must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and that appropriate fire safety measures are in place.
Who is the Responsible Person?
The responsible person is whoever has control of the premises or the relevant activities carried out there. In most workplaces, this is the employer. In multi-occupied buildings, responsibility may fall on the building owner or management company for common areas, while individual occupiers remain responsible for their own tenancy.
The responsible person must:
- Carry out or arrange a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment
- Identify and implement appropriate fire safety measures
- Keep the assessment up to date
- Record the findings in writing if the premises has five or more employees or requires a licence
- Ensure all staff receive appropriate fire safety information and training
The Six Steps of a Fire Risk Assessment
Step 1: Identify Fire Hazards
Look for potential sources of ignition (heat, flame, faulty electrical equipment), fuel (paper, wood, flammable liquids), and oxygen (air supplies, oxidising materials). Consider how these could combine to start a fire.
Step 2: Identify People at Risk
Consider all people who could be at risk — employees, visitors, contractors, and members of the public. Pay particular attention to vulnerable individuals including those with mobility impairments, lone workers, people who work in isolated areas, and anyone unfamiliar with the building.
Step 3: Evaluate, Remove, or Reduce Risks
Assess the likelihood and potential impact of a fire. Where possible, remove hazards entirely. Where risks remain, put measures in place to reduce the risk of fire starting and ensure people can escape safely if one does. This includes checking that fire detection systems, emergency lighting, fire doors, and escape routes are all adequate.
Step 4: Record Your Findings
If your premises have five or more employees, or require a licence, you must record your fire risk assessment in writing. The record should include:
- The hazards identified
- The people at risk
- The measures taken to remove or reduce the risk
- The emergency procedures in place
- Details of any training provided to staff
Even where written records are not legally required, it is good practice to document your assessment as evidence of compliance.
Step 5: Prepare an Emergency Plan
Ensure everyone in the building knows what to do if a fire breaks out. Your emergency plan should cover:
- How the alarm is raised
- Evacuation procedures and escape routes
- Assembly points
- The responsibilities of fire wardens
- Arrangements for vulnerable people who may need assistance
- How the fire service will be called
- Procedures for ensuring everyone has evacuated safely
Step 6: Review Regularly
A fire risk assessment is not a one-off exercise. It should be reviewed regularly and updated whenever there are significant changes to:
- The building or its layout
- The use of the premises
- The number of people using the building
- The materials or processes used on the premises
- Following a fire, near miss, or significant incident
- When the assessment is no longer considered valid
As a general guide, fire risk assessments should be reviewed at least annually, and immediately following any significant change.
Post-Grenfell Changes: What You Need to Know
Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, fire safety legislation has been significantly strengthened, particularly for higher-risk buildings. Key changes include:
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced a new regulatory framework for higher-risk residential buildings — those 18 metres or over, or with at least 7 storeys, containing two or more dwellings. This includes:
- Mandatory Building Safety Case Reports
- The appointment of a Principal Accountable Person
- Enhanced resident engagement requirements
- A new Building Safety Regulator with enforcement powers
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced new requirements for multi-occupied residential buildings, including:
- Providing fire safety instructions to residents
- Installing appropriate wayfinding signage for firefighters
- Carrying out regular inspections of fire doors
- Sharing information with residents about fire safety in their building
If you manage or own higher-risk residential premises, specialist advice is strongly recommended to ensure compliance with these significant legislative changes.
Enforcement and Penalties
Fire safety laws are enforced by local fire and rescue authorities, who have powers to inspect premises and take enforcement action where standards are not met. Non-compliance can result in:
- Enforcement notices requiring improvements within a specified timeframe
- Prohibition notices preventing the use of all or part of a premises
- Unlimited fines
- In serious cases, imprisonment of up to two years
The courts have shown a willingness to impose significant penalties on organisations and individuals who fail to meet their fire safety obligations. Ensuring your fire risk assessment is carried out by a competent person — and that its recommendations are acted upon — is therefore essential.
How Universal Safety Consultants Can Help
USC carries out fire risk assessments across a wide range of premises, from offices and schools to care homes and complex industrial sites. Our fire safety consultants are experienced in both standard and higher-risk environments and can help you understand and meet your obligations under current legislation.
We provide:
- Fire risk assessments for all non-domestic premises
- Fire safety consultancy and advice
- Support with compliance following the Building Safety Act 2022 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
- Fire safety training for staff and fire wardens
All our fire risk assessments are carried out by competent, experienced fire safety professionals and produce a clear, actionable report that helps you prioritise and address identified risks.
Contact us to arrange a fire risk assessment or to discuss your fire safety requirements.