What is a fire risk assessment?

A Fire Risk Assessment is a thorough, systematic examination of your Premises. The assessment includes both the building’s interior and exterior. The primary objective of the assessment is to reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards and risks to a level that is safe and compliant with current legal standards, thus ensuring your property is equipped with appropriate fire protection measures.

If you are the owner of a building, an employer, a landlord, or occupier, or have authority over non-domestic premises, you are designated the "Responsible Person" for fire safety. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 stipulates that the responsible person must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out by a suitably qualified person.

Failing to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment will undermine the safety of your property which can lead to enforcement action, e.g., heavy fines, prosecution, and even a prison sentence.

The 5 Steps of a Fire Risk Assessment

1. Identify fire hazards

The Assessor will look for sources of ignition (e.g., electrical appliances, hot work), fuel(e.g., paper, textiles, gas bottles, etc) and oxygen (HVAC, etc.) that could potentially start a fire.

2. Identify people at risk

The Assessor will find out who occupies the building (staff, visitors, and contractors) andnote anyone who may be more vulnerable, e.g., people who sleep on the premises, children, the elderly and/or infirm, and those with disabilities or limited mobility.

3. Evaluate the risks

The Assessor will evaluate the risks, and check if your current fire safety precautions are adequate. This will include assessing the preparedness of staff, the presence of appropriate fire safety equipment (e.g., alarms, extinguishers, fire doors, etc.), the adequacy of escape routes, as well as the regularity of fire drills.

4. Record, plan, and train

The assessor will record all the findings from the previous three steps to create an action plan that when adhered to can reduce the risk of fire and ensure a swift evacuation in the event there is a fire. This is a legal requirement for businesses with five or more employees and provides evidence of compliance.

5. Review and update the fire risk assessment regularly

The fire risk assessments should be reviewed regularly to ensure a building's fire safety measures remain adequate and effective. It is strongly advised that the fire risk assessment be reviewed every 12 months.

The fire risk assessment must be reviewed immediately if there is reason to believe it is no longer valid or if a significant change occurs, e.g.,

• Building alterations: major works, refurbishments, layout changes, or new extensions.

• Change of use: alterations to how the building or specific rooms are used.

• Occupancy changes: a significant increase in staff or visitors, or accommodating vulnerable people or individuals requiring specific evacuation assistance.

• Incidents: any actual fire, near-miss, or safety audit failure.

• New hazards: the introduction of new equipment, machinery, or dangerous/flammable substances.

• Legal updates: changes to relevant fire safety legislation or official guidance.

Stellar Fire Consultants carries out commercial Fire Risk Assessments across all business and property types. No two buildings are the same, so we don't treat them as such. We assess your specific property layout, occupancy, and use, then deliver a PAS-79 aligned report with clear findings and a prioritised action plan your team can act on immediately.