How Often Should Fire Risk Assessments Be Reviewed?

A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for most non-domestic premises across the UK. In England and Wales, this is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, with separate fire safety legislation applying in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A fire risk assessment involves identifying potential fire hazards, evaluating the risks they present and determining the measures needed to protect people and property. This includes examining sources of ignition, combustible materials, escape routes and existing fire safety arrangements.

The assessment must also consider people who may be particularly at risk, including those with reduced mobility, employees working in higher-risk areas and visitors unfamiliar with the premises.

Following the assessment, appropriate measures should be implemented to reduce fire risks. These may include improving fire detection and warning systems, maintaining suitable firefighting equipment and ensuring escape routes remain accessible.

The findings should also inform emergency procedures and appropriate fire safety training, helping occupants understand what to do in the event of a fire.

Fire risk assessments must be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain accurate and reflect the current risks within a building.

In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 does not specify a fixed review interval. However, reviewing an assessment at least annually is widely regarded as good practice.

An earlier review is necessary where there is reason to believe the existing assessment is no longer valid or where significant changes have occurred, such as alterations to the building, changes in occupancy or the introduction of new fire hazards.

The frequency and extent of reviews should reflect the nature of the premises and the level of risk. Higher-risk environments may require more frequent reviews or a comprehensive reassessment.

A fire risk assessment should be reviewed whenever there is reason to believe it is no longer valid or significant changes occur that could affect fire safety.

This may mean reviewing the assessment before the next scheduled review to ensure it accurately reflects the risks within the premises.

Common reasons for an earlier review include:

Changes in occupancy, including people who may require additional assistance during an emergency, should prompt a review of the fire risk assessment and evacuation arrangements.

Any significant changes to your premises, operations or occupants may affect existing fire risks and require your assessment to be updated.

Fire risk assessments are not a one-off exercise. Regular reviews help ensure that fire safety measures remain appropriate, evacuation procedures are effective and organisations continue to meet their legal responsibilities.

At Scutum Fire & Security, we provide professional fire risk assessments to help organisations identify hazards, manage fire risks and meet their fire safety obligations.