Fire Risk Assessments Explained
Quick Summary
A fire risk assessment is a structured look at your premises to identify fire hazards, decide who could be at risk, and set out what needs to be done to keep people safe. If you’re an employer, building owner, landlord or occupier of almost any non-domestic premises, the law says you need one. Here’s exactly what’s involved.
What is a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment is an organised review of your building and how it’s used, aimed at reducing the risk of fire and making sure people could escape safely if one broke out. It looks at everything from sources of ignition and fuel, through to escape routes, alarms, signage and emergency planning. The outcome is a clear, prioritised action plan you can actually work from.
Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement?
Yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “responsible person” for most non-domestic premises must carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment. The responsible person is usually the employer, owner or whoever has control of the premises. If you employ five or more people, the significant findings must be recorded in writing. More recent legislation — the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 — has strengthened these duties further, particularly for multi-occupied residential buildings.
Who needs a fire risk assessment?
You need one if you’re responsible for premises such as:
- Offices, shops and commercial units
- Cafés, restaurants and other hospitality venues
- Factories, warehouses and workshops
- Schools and community buildings
- The common areas of blocks of flats and HMOs
- Holiday lets and guest accommodation
In practice, that covers almost every business and a great many property owners.
What does a fire risk assessment involve?
A thorough fire risk assessment follows five clear steps:
- Identify the fire hazards — the sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen on the premises.
- Identify the people at risk — staff, visitors, and anyone especially vulnerable.
- Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks — and decide on the precautions needed.
- Record your findings — prepare an emergency plan and provide staff training.
- Review regularly — and update whenever things change.
At Ignis, our assessors follow recognised fire risk assessment standards and methodologies, including BS 9792:2025 for housing and PAS 79-1:2020 for premises other than housing.
How often should it be reviewed?
There’s no single fixed interval, but your assessment should be reviewed regularly — and always after significant changes such as building work, a change of use, new occupants, or a near-miss. An annual review is a sensible rule of thumb for most premises.
What happens after the assessment?
You’ll receive a written report setting out any hazards found and the actions needed, prioritised so you can tackle the most important first. It’s designed to be practical and easy to follow — a genuine tool for keeping people safe, not just a document to file away.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a fire risk assessment take?
Most are completed in a single visit, with the written report following shortly after. The exact timing depends on the size and complexity of the premises.
Can I carry out my own fire risk assessment?
You can, but for anything beyond the simplest premises it should be done by a competent person to make sure it’s thorough and legally sound.
What's the difference between a fire risk assessment and a fire alarm service?
A fire risk assessment reviews your overall fire safety; a fire alarm service checks one specific system. Both matter — and your assessment will often flag exactly what servicing is needed.
Not sure whether your fire risk assessment is up to date — or whether you have one at all? Ignis Risk Management carries out clear, reliable fire risk assessments for businesses and property owners across Ipswich, Lincoln and the wider UK. Veteran-owned and IFSM-affiliated, we’re on your side. Get in touch for peace of mind.