Can I Do My Own [fire risk assessment](https://www.hawkswift.co.uk/blog/7-questions-to-ask-a-fire-risk-assessment-company)? UK Guidance

If you own or manage a commercial property, you are legally responsible for keeping people safe from fire. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO), this responsibility falls to the responsible person—usually the employer, landlords-guide)s-landlords-guide)s-landlords-guide), or business owner. A common question we hear at HawkSwift Ltd is: *can I do my own fire risk assessment, or do I need a qualified assessor?*

The short answer is yes, you can complete your own fire risk assessment. UK fire safety law does not legally mandate that you must hold a specific qualification to evaluate your premises. However, the law does require that the assessment must be suitable and sufficient. For simple, low-risk environments, a competent business owner may feel confident doing this themselves. For complex or higher-risk premises, bringing in a professional is highly recommended.

What Makes an Assessment "Suitable and Sufficient"?

Under the RRO, a fire risk assessment must carefully identify fire hazards, identify people at risk, and record the findings. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) also require employers to assess risks to the health and safety of their employees and others affected by their business.

If you choose to do your own fire risk assessment, you must ensure it covers several critical areas:

• Identifying fire hazards: Looking at potential ignition sources, flammable materials, and oxygen sources.
• Identifying people at risk: Considering employees, visitors, contractors, and especially vulnerable individuals.
• Evaluating and removing risks: Implementing measures to reduce or eliminate identified hazards.
• Recording findings: Documenting the hazards, the people at risk, and the actions taken (this is a legal requirement if you employ five or more people).
• Reviewing regularly: Updating the assessment when circumstances change or at regular intervals.

When Can I Do My Own Fire Risk Assessment?

You might consider doing your own fire risk assessment if your premises are small, straightforward, and low-risk. For example, a small offices-what-assessors-look-for)s-what-assessors-look-for) with a simple layout, standard electrical equipment, and clear exit routes might be manageable for a diligent business owner.

If you deeply understand your building, its daily operations, and basic fire safety principles, you can start the process yourself. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local fire authorities provide guidance documents to help you understand what is required. Following established guidance, such as PAS 79, can help structure your assessment.

When Do You Need a Qualified Assessor?

While the law allows you to do your own assessment, you must be realistic about your competence. The RRO requires the responsible person to appoint one or more competent persons to assist in preventative and protective measures. A competent person is someone with sufficient training, knowledge, and experience to implement those measures safely.

You should strongly consider hiring a qualified assessor if your premises fall into any of the following categories:

• Complex layouts: Large buildings, multi-storey premises, or those with shared or complicated escape routes.
• High-risk occupants: care homes, hospitals, schools-termly-drills-and-risk-assessments)s-termly-drills-and-risk-assessments)s, or buildings where people may sleep.
• High-risk activities: Industrial sites, kitchens, or premises storing hazardous and highly flammable materials.
• Public assembly: Theatres, retail venues, or hospitality venues where large crowds gather.

If a fire occurs and your assessment is found to be inadequate, you could face enforcement notices, prosecution, or imprisonment. When in doubt, staying general and seeking professional help is the safest approach to ensure compliance-compliance)-compliance) with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) and the RRO.

The Risks of DIY Fire Risk Assessments

Completing a fire risk assessment requires more than just a quick walk-through. You need to evaluate structural fire protection, emergency lighting, fire doors, alarm systems, and evacuations-evacuation-peak-trading)s-evacuation-peak-trading)s-evacuation-peak-trading) procedures. Without the right experience, it is very easy to miss subtle hazards or overestimate the adequacy of your current safety measures.

fire safety authorities expect assessments to be thorough. If you lack the time, resources, or confidence to evaluate your premises properly, taking a DIY approach leaves your business and its occupants vulnerable. An incomplete or poorly executed assessment provides a false sense of security and fails to meet your legal duties.

How HawkSwift Can Help

At HawkSwift Ltd, our NEBOSH-qualified assessors provide thorough, practical, and accurate fire risk assessments tailored to your premises. We help you navigate the complexities of UK fire safety law, ensuring your compliance with the RRO and HSE guidance.

We offer professional fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT, delivering clear, actionable 48-hour reports so you can quickly address any hazards and maintain a safe environment. We do not over-promise; we simply provide the high-quality, reliable compliance support your business needs to stay safe and legally protected.

If you are unsure whether you have the competence to evaluate your premises safely, do not take the risk. To ensure your business meets its legal duties, book a fire risk assessment with our expert team today.