A Fire Risk Assessment is required where a statutory duty applies to the person responsible for fire safety, including the dutyholder under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales.
An FRA should also be reviewed regularly and whenever circumstances change, including following significant alterations to the building or its occupancy, a fire or near-miss, enforcement action, or where the existing assessment may no longer be valid or adequate.
An updated assessment may also be appropriate ahead of an insurance renewal, property sale or refinancing, or where concerns have been raised by an insurer, lender or fire and rescue authority.
The scope of an FRA is determined by the type, complexity and risk profile of the building, together with the level of access and investigation required.
The assessment may consider escape routes, compartmentation, fire doors, detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting, fire-fighting equipment, signage, fire safety management arrangements and other relevant fire precautions.
Where applicable, assessments are undertaken with reference to PAS 79-1:2020 for relevant non-domestic premises, together with appropriate residential fire safety guidance and the applicable legislation and standards for the jurisdiction in which the premises are located.
Fire Risk Assessments are commissioned by organisations and professionals responsible for managing or operating buildings, including:
Assessments can cover residential blocks, offices, retail premises, industrial buildings, mixed-use developments and other relevant premises.
How often does an FRA need to be reviewed?
There is no single UK-wide statutory annual review period that applies to every premises. An FRA should be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to believe it is no longer valid or when there has been a significant change to the premises, occupancy or fire risk.
What’s the difference between FRA1 and FRA4?
The principal difference is the scope and level of investigation. A Type 1 assessment is generally non-intrusive and focuses on accessible common parts, while higher-level assessments can involve inspection of flat entrance doors, concealed construction, compartmentation and other areas where additional investigation is considered necessary.
Who Can Carry Out a Fire Risk Assessment?
A Fire Risk Assessment should be carried out by a competent person with the appropriate training, knowledge, experience and skills for the type and complexity of premises being assessed. The responsible person or dutyholder may undertake the assessment themselves where they are competent to do so, or appoint a suitably competent fire risk assessor to assist.
In England and Wales, the responsible person remains responsible for ensuring that the assessment is suitable and sufficient, even where a specialist fire risk assessor is appointed
What happens if the FRA identifies non-compliance?
The assessment will identify significant fire safety deficiencies and provide prioritised recommendations for remedial action. Where more extensive defects are identified, additional specialist services may be required, such as a fire strategy review, compartmentation survey, intrusive investigation, Design Remediation Strategy or Clerk of Works oversight.