How Often Do You Need a Fire Risk Assessment? UK Law Explained

Quick Summary

A fire risk assessment is an essential part of managing fire safety within a business or commercial premises. It helps identify potential fire hazards, determine who could be at risk and establish what measures are needed to keep people safe.

But how often do you need a fire risk assessment? There is a common misconception that every business must have a completely new assessment every 12 months. In reality, UK fire safety law does not set one universal review period for every premises. Instead, a fire risk assessment must be kept up to date and reviewed regularly, particularly when circumstances change.

For businesses, landlords and other Responsible Persons, understanding when an assessment needs to be reviewed is an important part of maintaining fire safety compliance.

How Often Should a Fire Risk Assessment Be Done?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and regularly review it. The legislation does not specify that every business must complete a brand-new assessment every year.

Instead, the frequency of a fire risk assessment review should reflect the type of premises, its activities, the people using it and the level of fire risk.

For smaller and simpler premises, an annual review is recognised as good practice. However, a review may be required sooner if there is a significant change to the building, its use, its occupants or its fire safety arrangements.

This means the answer to “how often should a fire risk assessment be done?” isn’t simply once a year. The assessment should remain suitable for the premises at all times.

When Should a Fire Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?

A fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a reason to believe that it may no longer accurately reflect the risks within the premises.

For example, you should consider reviewing your assessment following:

  • Significant changes to the building or internal layout
  • Changes to how the premises are used
  • Changes to work activities or processes
  • A significant increase in the number of people using the building
  • Changes involving hazardous substances or materials
  • Changes to fire alarms, emergency lighting or other fire safety measures
  • Changes affecting people who may be particularly at risk
  • A fire, near miss or other significant incident

Government guidance specifically highlights significant changes to premises or activities as reasons for reviewing a fire risk assessment. A fire or near miss may also indicate that existing controls need to be reassessed.

Changes to Your Premises Matter

Even seemingly straightforward building work can affect fire safety. Altering an escape route, changing room layouts, introducing new equipment or increasing storage can all change the risks that need to be considered.

This is why a fire risk assessment should not simply be filed away after it has been completed. It needs to reflect what is actually happening within the building.

Does a Fire Risk Assessment Expire?

A fire risk assessment does not have a simple expiry date in the same way that some certificates do.

Instead, it needs to remain suitable and sufficient for the premises and the risks present. If nothing significant has changed, a review may confirm that the existing assessment remains appropriate. If circumstances have changed, the assessment may need to be updated or a new assessment may be necessary.

A review does not automatically mean starting the entire assessment again. Government guidance explains that a competent person may simply need to check that previous actions have been completed, the premises and management arrangements have not changed significantly, and fire safety measures remain effective.

This risk-based approach is important because every workplace is different.

Who Is Responsible for the Fire Risk Assessment?

The Responsible Person has legal responsibility for fire safety within the premises. Depending on the circumstances, this could be an employer, building owner, landlord, occupier or another person with control of the premises.

The Responsible Person must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is completed, recorded where required, and regularly reviewed.

They also need to make sure that the findings of the assessment are acted upon. Identifying a fire risk is only the first step; appropriate measures need to be put in place to reduce or manage that risk.

What Does a Fire Risk Assessment Look At?

A professional fire risk assessment considers the specific circumstances of the building rather than simply working from a generic checklist.

This can include:

  • Potential sources of ignition
  • Combustible materials
  • People who may be at risk
  • Escape routes and exits
  • Fire detection and warning systems
  • Emergency lighting
  • Fire-fighting equipment
  • Fire doors and compartmentation
  • Emergency procedures
  • Staff training and information
  • Existing fire safety management arrangements

The assessment should identify what is already being done effectively and where further action may be required. GOV.UK’s five-step approach includes identifying hazards, identifying people at risk, evaluating and reducing risks, recording findings and reviewing the assessment.

Why Regular Fire Risk Assessment Reviews Matter

Regular reviews help businesses identify changes before they become serious problems. A workplace that was considered low risk several years ago may have changed considerably since the original assessment.

New machinery, additional employees, changes to working hours, alterations to the building or different materials being stored can all affect fire risk.

Keeping your assessment under review can therefore help you:

  • Maintain fire safety compliance
  • Identify new or changing risks
  • Protect employees, visitors and contractors
  • Keep fire safety arrangements effective
  • Demonstrate that appropriate action is being taken

Fire safety should be treated as an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-off exercise.

How Ignis Risk Management Can Help

At Ignis Risk Management, we provide professional Fire Risk Assessments designed around the individual needs of your premises. Our experienced consultants assess the building, identify potential hazards and provide clear recommendations to help you manage fire risks effectively.

Whether you need a new commercial fire risk assessment, a review following changes to your premises or support with ongoing fire safety compliance, we can provide practical advice and clear guidance.

If you’re unsure whether your fire risk assessment is still suitable, contact Ignis Risk Management today to discuss your requirements.