Fire risk assessments

A fire risk assessment identifies what needs to be done in a premises to prevent fires and keep people safe.

Every block of flats, business premises or premises that the public has access to must have one. 

1. Identify the fire hazards.
2. Identify people at risk.
3. Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks.
4. Record your findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training. Review and update the fire risk assessment regularly. The risk assessment chart Fire Safety Risk Assessment (PDF, 41.93 KB, 1 page) gives more detailed information about these steps.
5. You’ll need to consider:
   • emergency routes and exits
   • fire detection and warning systems
   • fire fighting equipment
   • the removal or safe storage of dangerous substances
   • an emergency fire evacuation plan
   • the needs of vulnerable people, for example the elderly, young children or those with disabilities
   • providing information to employees and other people on the premises
   • staff fire safety training

You can do the fire risk assessment yourself with the help of standard fire safety risk assessment guides.

If you don’t have the expertise or time to do the fire risk assessment yourself you need to appoint a ‘competent person’ to help, for example a professional risk assessor.

Your local fire and rescue authority might be able to give you advice if you’re not sure your risk assessment’s been carried out properly. However, they can’t carry out risk assessments for you.

You can download the following guides on risk assessments:

• Offices and shops (PDF, 1.34 MB, 146 pages)
• Factories and warehouses (PDF, 2.49 MB, 148 pages)
• Sleeping accommodation (PDF, 2.89 MB, 148 pages)
• Residential care premises (PDF, 3.65 MB, 155 pages)
• Educational premises (PDF, 3.4 MB, 147 pages)
• Small and medium places of assembly (PDF, 2.7 MB, 148 pages) (for premises holding 300 people or less)
• Large places of assembly (PDF, 2.13 MB, 155 pages) (for premises holding more than 300 people)
• Theatres, cinemas and similar premises (PDF, 2.13 MB, 162 pages)
• Open air events and venues (PDF, 1.81 MB, 120 pages)
• Healthcare premises (PDF, 3.26 MB, 162 pages)
• Animal premises and stables (PDF, 2.18 MB, 150 pages)
• Transport premises and facilities (PDF, 2.86 MB, 162 pages)

You can also find guidance on:

• How to make sure your premises are safe from fire
• Risk assessments if you work in construction
• Purpose-built blocks of flats
• Other types of housing: Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing (PDF, 1.58 MB, 82 pages)

Your plan must show how you have:

• clearly marked escape routes that are as short and direct as possible
• enough exits and routes for all people to escape
• emergency doors that open easily
• emergency lighting where needed
• training for all employees to know and use the escape routes
• a safe meeting point for staff

You should also make special arrangements for people with mobility needs, for example make sure there are people to help wheelchair users get downstairs if there’s a fire.