A fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and whenever changes to the premises, the people using them or the work taking place may make its findings unreliable. In England and Wales, there is no single legal expiry date for every workplace assessment.
For the Responsible Person, a review is an opportunity to check that the existing precautions still suit the building and that previous recommendations have been addressed. The extent of the work depends on what has changed and what the assessment already covers.
How Often Should a Fire Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires regular review, particularly if there is reason to suspect an assessment is no longer valid or following a significant change. It does not prescribe a fixed annual renewal interval.
Government guidance recognises an annual review as good practice for small and simple premises. A larger building, complex escape arrangements or frequent changes in use may call for more regular attention. The review programme should reflect those circumstances, and a scheduled date must never delay action when a significant change occurs.
For organisations managing several sites, recording review dates and the reasons for earlier checks can make responsibilities easier to manage. Our Retained Health & Safety support can provide ongoing advice where fire safety sits within wider compliance arrangements.
What Does Fire Safety Law Require of the Responsible Person?
The Fire Safety Order applies to most non-domestic premises in England and Wales. Article 9 requires the Responsible Person to assess the fire risks to relevant people, identify the precautions needed and keep the assessment up to date.
In a workplace, the employer will generally be the Responsible Person. Other people with control of the premises may also have duties, particularly in shared buildings. A Responsible Person can carry out an assessment if competent or appoint a competent assessor, but the legal responsibility remains with them.
Since changes introduced in October 2023, Responsible Persons must record the assessment and its findings in full. Where an assessor is appointed, the record must also identify their name and, where applicable, organisation. These requirements apply to reviews as well as initial assessments.
What Changes Trigger a Fire Risk Assessment Review?
A review is needed when a change could affect the likelihood of a fire, the people exposed to risk or the means of escape. Significant changes to the building or its use are clear triggers. Smaller alterations may also warrant a check if they call previous findings into question.
A refurbishment might alter escape routes or fire doors. New machinery, heating equipment or storage arrangements could introduce ignition sources or additional fuel. If alarm or detection systems change, the assessment should reflect the arrangements people will rely on during an emergency.
Occupancy matters as well. Higher visitor numbers, revised shift patterns or changes affecting people who need assistance during evacuation can alter the precautions required. A fire, near miss or failure of a fire safety measure is another reason to reconsider the findings.
If new flammable substances or activities introduce explosion hazards, check any separate DSEAR risk assessment requirements alongside the premises fire risk assessment. Each address distinct legal duties.
Does a Fire Risk Assessment Review Mean Starting Again?
No. A review does not automatically require a new assessment from the beginning. If nothing relevant has changed, previous actions are complete and precautions remain effective, a documented review may confirm that the assessment is still suitable.
The work should match the circumstances. A minor office alteration might need a focused update, while a major refurbishment or change of use could justify a wider reassessment. What matters is having sufficient information to support the decision and recording any changes required.
What Should a Fire Risk Assessment Review Include?
A competent review compares the written assessment with the premises as they operate today. Check fire hazards and the people at risk, then confirm that exits, escape routes and fire doors still suit the layout and occupancy.
Look at detection and alarm arrangements, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment and relevant maintenance records. The review should establish if precautions remain suitable, including where changes to housekeeping, storage or working methods have altered fire risks.
Evacuation plans should reflect current staffing and building use. Check that employees understand their responsibilities and identify any changes needed to instruction or fire safety training. Outstanding actions from the previous assessment also need clear owners and completion dates.
Where refurbishment or a new process creates other workplace hazards, a separate health and safety risk assessment can address those issues alongside fire safety, while keeping the duties distinct.
Reviewing Fire Safety After Changes to Your Premises
If building alterations, changed occupancy or new working practices have made the previous findings uncertain, a specialist review can help establish what needs updating and which precautions deserve attention.
We provide fire risk assessments for businesses looking to assess current site conditions and identify appropriate fire safety measures. The findings can help Responsible Persons decide which actions to take before further changes to the premises are completed.
Who Is Responsible for Fire Safety in Shared Premises?
A shared commercial building can involve more than one Responsible Person. A tenant may control its workplace, while a landlord or managing agent may control common areas or building-wide systems. The extent of each duty depends on the control that person has.
Where responsibilities overlap, the parties must co-operate and co-ordinate their precautions. For example, alterations in one unit may affect an escape route or alarm arrangements used by neighbouring occupiers. The people involved need to share information before those changes create conflicting arrangements.
The 2023 changes also strengthened information-sharing requirements. Responsible Persons must identify others who share duties, explain the extent of their responsibilities and keep a record of that information.
What Should Happen After a Fire Risk Assessment Review?
Record what was checked, the outcome and any amendments made to the assessment. If the review identifies gaps in fire precautions, prioritise the work according to risk and assign responsibility for completing each action.
Keep supporting records available, including relevant inspection, testing and maintenance information. Where evacuation procedures change, tell the people affected and update their instruction so the arrangements used on site match the assessment.
For a planned refurbishment or change of use, addressing fire safety requirements during the project can help facilities teams coordinate the necessary measures before the building returns to normal use.
Does Your Current Fire Risk Assessment Still Match the Premises?
If your building, occupancy or working arrangements have changed, the existing assessment may need a focused review or more extensive reassessment. The right approach depends on the scale of the change and the fire precautions already in place.
We can help you assess the current position and identify appropriate next steps. Contact our team to discuss what has changed and the level of review your premises may need.