It's one of the most common questions we get asked: "how often do I need a fire risk assessment?" The honest answer is that the law doesn't specify a single interval — but it does set out clear circumstances in which your assessment must be reviewed. And those circumstances come around more often than most people realise.
What does the law actually say?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) requires the Responsible Person to ensure that a "suitable and sufficient" fire risk assessment is in place for any non-domestic premises. It also requires that the assessment is reviewed if:
- There is reason to suspect it is no longer valid
- There has been a significant change to the premises or the use of the premises
It does not say "every year" or "every three years" — but the guidance notes that most premises should be reviewed at least annually, and some more frequently. The key word is "suitable and sufficient." An out-of-date assessment is, by definition, neither.
If anything meaningful has changed about your building, your occupants, your processes or your fire risk profile since the last assessment, it needs reviewing. Annual review is standard practice for most commercial premises — and sensible risk management for anyone who takes the duty seriously.
What counts as a "significant change"?
This is broader than most people expect. Changes that should trigger a review include:
- Building works: Any significant refurbishment, change of layout, new partitioning or extension
- Change of use: A floor that was storage becoming office space, or a commercial unit being converted to residential
- New occupants or increased occupancy: Additional staff, new tenants or a higher-density use of the space
- New processes or equipment: Introduction of machinery, chemicals, cooking equipment or anything that changes the fire load
- New vulnerable persons: A resident or occupant with mobility needs who wasn't there before
- A fire, near-miss or false alarm: These always suggest something in the assessment needs re-examining
- Changes to emergency systems: New or altered fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, escape routes or suppression systems
How often for different types of premises?
While the law doesn't mandate fixed intervals, the following are well-established norms in the industry:
| Premises type | Recommended review frequency |
|---|---|
| Standard commercial offices | Every 1–2 years |
| Retail premises | Annually |
| Care homes and supported living | Annually (minimum) |
| Hotels and hospitality | Annually |
| Schools and education | Annually |
| Higher-risk industrial or warehouse | Annually or more frequently |
| Premises with high occupant turnover | Annually |
| High-rise residential (over 18m) | Annually (BSA 2022 requirement) |
What about the Building Safety Act 2022?
For higher-risk residential buildings (those over 18 metres or 7 storeys with two or more residential units), the Building Safety Act 2022 introduces additional requirements. The Accountable Person must maintain a Safety Case — a living document that includes the fire risk assessment and must be kept current. In practice, this means annual review as a minimum, with ongoing monitoring of changes.
Does the person doing it need to be qualified?
The RRFSO requires the fire risk assessment to be carried out by a "competent person." For low-risk, simple premises, a well-trained member of staff may be sufficient. For anything more complex — multi-storey buildings, high occupancy, vulnerable people, industrial processes — you should use a qualified, third-party fire risk assessor.
BAFE SP205 is the accreditation scheme for fire risk assessors. Using a BAFE-accredited assessor gives you documented assurance that the person doing the work is competent, and provides a layer of due diligence defence if your assessment is ever challenged.
Many businesses have a fire risk assessment sitting in a filing cabinet that was done five years ago and has never been looked at since. This is not compliance — it's a liability. The assessment needs to reflect the building as it is today, with the occupants and processes that are in it today. If yours doesn't, it's time for a review.
What happens if your assessment is out of date?
An inadequate or out-of-date fire risk assessment can result in:
- An enforcement notice from the fire authority requiring remedial action
- A prohibition notice preventing use of all or part of the premises
- Criminal prosecution of the Responsible Person
- Civil liability in the event of a fire-related injury or death
- Insurance complications if a claim is made and the assessment is found to be inadequate
None of these consequences are theoretical — fire authorities do inspect premises and do take action when they find inadequate assessments.
How Erif can help
We carry out fire risk assessments to PAS 79 standards across all types of premises, from single commercial units to multi-building estates. If you're not sure whether your assessment is current and suitable, we offer a free initial review. Contact us to discuss your buildings.