A fire risk assessment is not a document to complete once and forget. It should remain a working record of the fire risks within your premises and the measures used to protect people.
For premises covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must make sure the fire risk assessment is kept up to date and reviewed regularly. Importantly, the law does not set one universal review interval that applies to every building.
Is an annual fire risk assessment review required?
Government guidance explains that the Fire Safety Order does not specify a fixed review frequency. However, for small and relatively simple premises, an annual review is recognised as good practice. More complex, higher-risk or frequently changing premises may need to be reviewed more often.
A review is not always the same as commissioning an entirely new assessment. A competent review may confirm that the existing assessment remains valid, that previous actions have been completed and that fire precautions are still effective.
When should a fire risk assessment be reviewed immediately?
You should not wait for a calendar date if something significant changes. A review may be needed following:
- alterations to the building or internal layout
- a change in the use of the premises
- a significant increase or change in occupancy
- new equipment, processes or hazardous materials
- changes to escape routes or fire safety systems
- a fire, near miss or significant false-alarm event that reveals weaknesses
- deterioration or failure of fire doors, alarms, emergency lighting or other precautions
- changes affecting vulnerable occupants or people who may need assistance to evacuate
What should a review check?
A useful review should look beyond the date on the front page. It should check whether the original hazards and people at risk are still accurately described, whether actions have been completed, whether fire precautions remain suitable and whether records, emergency arrangements and staff information remain current.
Government guidance summarises the assessment process as identifying hazards, identifying people at risk, evaluating and reducing risk, recording and planning, and reviewing the assessment regularly. You can read the official GOV.UK fire risk assessment guidance.
Who is responsible for arranging the review?
The legal duty remains with the Responsible Person, even when a professional fire risk assessor is appointed to carry out the assessment. If several organisations or people share responsibility for the premises, they may need to cooperate and coordinate.
For straightforward premises a competent person may be able to carry out a review internally. For more complex buildings, sleeping accommodation, care environments, multi-occupied residential buildings or premises that have changed significantly, professional support can provide a more robust and independent review.
Further reading: For the full legal framework, assessment process, review triggers and sector-specific guidance, see our Complete UK Fire Risk Assessment Guide.
Need professional support?
SJ Fire Safety Consultants provides independent fire risk assessment service with clear, practical reporting and nationwide support. Learn more about our Fire Risk Assessment service or contact us to arrange an inspection.
Explore more guidance: Visit our Fire Safety Articles & Guidance hub for further practical advice.