A fire risk assessment must be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to think it is no longer valid. Although the law does not prescribe one fixed interval for every premises, an annual review is recognised as good practice for small, simple premises.
The short answer
Review your fire risk assessment regularly and as soon as a significant change, fire, near miss or other concern could make it inaccurate. The Fire Safety Order does not set a universal expiry date. Home Office guidance recognises an annual review as good practice for small and simple premises, while complex, higher-risk or frequently changing buildings may need more frequent review.
What does the law require?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of fire risks and keep it up to date. Article 9 requires the assessment to be reviewed regularly, particularly when there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or when a significant relevant change has taken place.
The legislation deliberately does not give every building the same review period. A small office with a stable layout and workforce does not present the same management challenge as a large residential building, hotel, care setting, warehouse or multi-occupied commercial property.
The person or organisation with control of the premises remains responsible for ensuring reviews happen. If it is unclear who holds that role, our guide to who is responsible for fire safety explains how duties can be shared between employers, owners, landlords, occupiers and managing agents.
A date written into an assessment is a prompt to check it. It does not mean the assessment can be ignored until that date. If a significant change or incident happens sooner, the review should be brought forward.
Does a fire risk assessment have to be reviewed every year?
There is no universal legal rule saying that every fire risk assessment must be renewed every 12 months. However, Home Office guidance says an annual review is recognised as good practice for small and simple premises.
For many organisations, putting a formal annual review in the compliance calendar is a sensible minimum management control. It creates a regular opportunity to check that the building, occupants, working practices and fire precautions still match the recorded assessment.
An annual diary date should never replace event-led review. A premises that changes frequently, accommodates sleeping or vulnerable occupants, uses hazardous processes, has complex escape arrangements or has outstanding significant findings may require shorter intervals. The assessor should recommend a proportionate review schedule based on the actual risk.
It is also important to distinguish an annual review from commissioning a completely new assessment every year. A review may confirm that the existing assessment remains suitable, provided the check is meaningful and the outcome is recorded.
When should a fire risk assessment be reviewed immediately?
Do not wait for the planned review date when a change could affect fire risk or the ability of people to escape. Common triggers include:
Extensions, refurbishment, new partitions, altered escape routes, changes to fire doors or compartmentation.
More people, sleeping accommodation, public access, children, older people or anyone who may need assistance.
New machinery, cooking, hot work, charging equipment, processes, chemicals or greater quantities of combustible stock.
Problems with alarms, emergency lighting, sprinklers, smoke control, fire doors or protected escape routes.
Any incident suggesting that hazards, procedures, training or existing control measures may be inadequate.
A new owner, tenant, managing agent, contractor arrangement or change in who controls fire safety measures.
Other warning signs include repeated false alarms, poor drill performance, newly identified vulnerable occupants, enforcement feedback, significant actions that remain incomplete, or evidence that fire precautions have deteriorated.
Where a change is planned, the best time to consider its effect is before it is introduced. Reviewing drawings, occupancy and escape arrangements early can prevent expensive corrective work later.
Is a review the same as a new fire risk assessment?
Not necessarily. A proportionate review can start by checking whether:
- The significant findings and assumptions in the existing assessment are still accurate.
- Recommended actions have been completed within the stated timescales.
- No relevant changes have taken place in the building, activities, occupancy or management.
- Fire precautions have been maintained and remain effective.
- Training, drills, testing and maintenance records support the arrangements described.
If nothing material has changed and the assessment remains suitable and sufficient, the reviewer may record that conclusion and set the next review point. This is still an active check, not simply changing the date on the document.
A fuller reassessment is likely to be appropriate when substantial alterations have taken place, the use or risk profile has changed, a fire or serious near miss has occurred, important areas were not covered, the original assessment is poor or cannot be relied upon, or the building has become more complex.
Professional judgement matters. Eon Fire and Safety can review an existing document or carry out a new fire risk assessment where the current position needs to be re-established. If a new assessment is required, our guide explains what happens during the site visit and afterwards.
What should a fire risk assessment review cover?
A useful review should look beyond the document itself. It should test whether the assessment still reflects the premises and whether its control measures work in practice.
- Fire hazards: ignition sources, fuel, oxygen, hazardous substances, housekeeping and storage.
- People at risk: employees, residents, contractors, visitors, lone workers and people who may need assistance.
- Escape: route capacity, travel distances, final exits, signage, emergency lighting and arrangements for disabled people.
- Protection measures: detection, warning, firefighting equipment, compartmentation and the condition of fire doors.
- Management: named responsibilities, training, drills, maintenance, contractor controls and co-operation with other Responsible Persons.
- Emergency arrangements: whether the current evacuation plan remains workable for the people using the building.
- Action plan: progress, evidence of completion, revised priorities and clear owners for remaining work.
The outcome and review date should be recorded. If the review identifies new or changed risks, the assessment and action plan should be revised rather than relying on a short review note alone.
How should you set a suitable review schedule?
The review interval should reflect the premises rather than a marketing rule or a convenient certificate date. Consider the building’s complexity, type of occupants, rate of change, fire history, quality of management information and significance of any outstanding actions.
- Start with the assessor’s recommendation.A competent assessor should explain the suggested interval and any circumstances that would bring it forward.
- Use an annual check as a practical baseline where appropriate.For small, simple and stable premises, annual review is recognised good practice.
- Shorten the interval for greater risk or change.Sleeping risks, vulnerable occupants, complex buildings and changing operations usually justify closer oversight.
- Add event-led triggers to your procedures.Property, HR, facilities and operational teams should know which changes require fire-safety review.
- Track findings between formal reviews.The action plan, maintenance results, drills and incidents should be monitored continuously.
A practical checklist for the Responsible Person
- Confirm the date and scope of the existing assessment.
- Check whether the premises, use, occupancy or management has changed.
- Verify that significant actions have been completed and retain evidence.
- Review alarm, emergency-lighting, firefighting-equipment and fire-door records.
- Check staff training, drills and evacuation arrangements.
- Record the review, its outcome, any revisions and the next planned review date.
- Arrange competent assistance if the risks or necessary precautions are beyond your knowledge and experience.
Is your assessment still current?
Review or renew your fire risk assessment
Get an immediate guide price online or speak to us about changes, outstanding actions or a complex premises.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a fire risk assessment valid?
A fire risk assessment does not have a universal statutory expiry date. It remains useful only while it is suitable, sufficient and up to date. A planned review date helps manage this, but a relevant change or incident can require an earlier review.
Is an annual fire risk assessment review compulsory?
The Fire Safety Order does not prescribe an annual interval for every premises. Home Office guidance nevertheless recognises annual review as good practice for small and simple premises. Your appropriate interval may be shorter depending on risk and change.
Do I need a completely new assessment every year?
Not automatically. A competent review may confirm that the existing assessment remains valid. A new or substantially revised assessment is appropriate where risks, premises or arrangements have materially changed or the existing document is no longer reliable.
Should the assessment be reviewed after refurbishment?
Yes, where the work could affect fire hazards, compartmentation, escape routes, detection, occupancy or other precautions. Fire safety should ideally be considered before work begins and the assessment checked again against the completed layout.
Who can review a fire risk assessment?
The Responsible Person must ensure the review happens and may carry it out if they have sufficient competence. For complex premises or where the necessary precautions are unclear, competent professional assistance should be obtained.
What should be recorded after a review?
Record the review date, who completed it, what information was checked, whether the assessment remains valid, any changes made, new actions and the next planned review point.
Reviewed by Eon Fire and Safety’s ABBE Level 3 qualified fire risk assessor. IFSM Technician #8791 and NFRAR Foundation Registered.
This article provides general information for premises in England and is not a substitute for advice based on the particular building, activities, occupancy and fire-safety arrangements.