How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?

A fire risk assessment is not a document you produce once and then file away indefinitely. The Fire Safety Order requires the responsible person to review the assessment regularly and revise it where necessary — and there are several specific circumstances in which a review should be triggered immediately.

The most obvious trigger for review is a significant change to the premises. If you carry out building works — extending, reconfiguring or refurbishing the building — the layout, the means of escape, the compartmentation and the fire safety systems may all be affected. A fire risk assessment that was valid for the original premises may be wholly inadequate for the modified one. Any significant building works should trigger an immediate review of the fire risk assessment.

Changes in occupancy or use are also important triggers. If the number of people using the building increases significantly, if the building starts to be used for a new purpose, if vulnerable occupants are introduced — for example, if a building that previously housed only office workers starts to accommodate childcare or residential purposes — the fire risk may change substantially.

Changes to fire safety systems — the installation of a new fire alarm, the replacement of fire doors, a change in the fire extinguisher provision — should also trigger a review to ensure that the assessment reflects the current arrangements.

An incident — even a small fire, a fire alarm activation, or a near miss — is a strong signal that the current assessment may not be adequate. Any incident should prompt a review of the relevant sections of the fire risk assessment.

In the absence of specific triggers, regular periodic review is good practice. Many fire safety professionals recommend reviewing the fire risk assessment annually, particularly for higher-risk or more complex premises. For simpler, lower-risk premises, a review every two to three years may be appropriate — but this should always be a considered decision based on the stability of the conditions in the premises, not simply a default.

LESH can manage your fire risk assessment review programme, ensuring that your assessment is always current, that reviews are carried out at appropriate intervals, and that any changes in your premises or activities are properly reflected. Contact us to discuss how we can support your ongoing fire safety compliance.