How Often Should a Fire Risk Assessment Be Reviewed in the UK?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO 2005), business owners and designated responsible persons have a strict legal duty to ensure their premises are safe from fire risks. A common question we hear at HawkSwift Ltd is: how often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed? The short answer is that there is no single, fixed legal timeframe. However, the law requires that your assessment must be kept up to date and reviewed regularly to remain valid.

The Legal Requirement for Regular Reviews

The RRO 2005 does not explicitly state that a fire risk assessment must be reviewed every 12 months. Instead, it legally requires the responsible person to review the assessment "regularly" and whenever it is no longer valid or there has been a significant change in the matters to which it relates.

In practice, the widely accepted industry standard is to conduct a formal review at least once a year. This annual check ensures that minor changes in your daily operations, which might not trigger an immediate update, do not gradually accumulate into a serious fire hazard. Furthermore, recent legislative updates, including the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, have clarified and strengthened the enforcement of these ongoing duties, making it more important than ever to stay on top of your documentation.

When Must a Fire Risk Assessment Be Reviewed Immediately?

While an annual review is highly recommended, certain circumstances dictate that you must review and update your fire risk assessment immediately, regardless of when your last check took place. You should arrange an immediate review if:

• There is a change in the layout of the premises, such as structural alterations, internal partitions, or a change in floor plan.
• You change the use of the premises, for example, converting a storage area into an office or a retail space.
• There is a significant change in the number of occupants or the type of people present, particularly if vulnerable individuals are introduced to the building.
• You start storing new hazardous substances or highly flammable materials on-site.
• There is a change in fire safety equipment, such as the installation of a new alarm system, new extinguishers, or emergency lighting.
• You experience a near-miss or an actual fire incident, which indicates that your current preventative measures may be inadequate.

Aligning Reviews with UK Standards

To ensure your reviews meet the expected standard, it is useful to reference recognised British Standards. PAS 79-1:2020 provides a structured framework for conducting fire risk assessments in non-domestic premises, emphasising the importance of a living, breathing document rather than a one-off tick-box exercise.

Similarly, BS 9999:2017 offers comprehensive guidance on fire safety in the design, management, and use of buildings. This standard highlights how building occupancy types and fire safety management strategies must continuously align. If your premises undergo physical changes that affect escape routes or compartmentation, referring to BS 9999:2017 ensures your updated risk assessment remains robust and compliant.

Who Should Conduct the Review?

The law dictates that the responsible person must carry out or appoint a competent person to conduct the fire risk assessment and its subsequent reviews. If you have the necessary knowledge, training, and understanding of your premises, you can review it yourself. However, given the complexities of modern fire safety legislation and the severe penalties for non-compliance, most business owners choose to outsource this task.

At HawkSwift Ltd, our NEBOSH-qualified assessors have the expertise to identify hazards that untrained eyes might easily miss. We provide professional, independent reviews that give you complete peace of mind, ensuring your premises comply with all current UK fire safety legislation without disrupting your daily operations.

The Cost of Non-Compliance

Failing to keep your fire risk assessment updated is a breach of the RRO 2005. Local fire and rescue authorities have the power to inspect your premises at any time. If they find that your assessment is outdated or invalid, they can issue enforcement notices, severely disrupt your business operations, and even prosecute. In extreme cases of negligence, this can lead to unlimited fines or imprisonment. Keeping your assessment reviewed and up to date is not just a legal formality; it is a critical measure to protect human life and your business assets.

How HawkSwift Can Help

Keeping track of your fire safety compliance does not have to be a burden. At HawkSwift Ltd, we offer comprehensive fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT. We understand that time is money for business owners, which is why we pride ourselves on delivering detailed, actionable 48-hour reports.

Do not leave your compliance to chance—let our experts guide you through the process and keep your premises safe. To get started, simply book a fire risk assessment with our team today.