Fire risk assessments
A fire risk assessment helps you to identify the potential risks on your premises. It will also help you identify the measures you need to put in place to keep people safe.
Facts about fire risk assessments
- Fire risk assessments are a legal requirement (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/safety/businesses/fire-safety-law).
- You'll need one for each property you're responsible for.
- If you don't have a fire risk assessment you could be breaking the law (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/safety/businesses/fire-safety-law).
- Your fire risk assessment should be updated regularly. We recommend you update it annually or whenever there's a significant change.
- We recommend you ask a qualified person (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/safety/businesses/find-risk-assessor) to complete your risk assessment.
Appointing someone to carry out your risk assessment
As the responsible person it is your responsibility to make sure the fire risk assessment is both suitable and sufficient.
You do not need to carry out the risk assessment yourself - you can appoint someone to carry it out on your behalf. We cannot carry out a fire risk assessment for you.
If you decide to appoint someone to do the fire risk assessment for you, there are many skilled and competent fire risk assessors who advertise their services locally.
We recommend that you consider someone with third-party accreditation or someone registered with a recognised scheme. See our guide for how to choose a competent risk assessor (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/safety/businesses/find-risk-assessor).
Completing a risk assessment yourself
We strongly recommend the fire risk assessment is carried out by someone with an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of fire safety.
In small premises (typically ground and first floor) with a simple layout - you may feel able to carry out the risk assessment yourself.
Follow our five steps to fire safety risk assessment (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/safety/businesses/five-steps-fire-risk-assessment) which will help guide you through the process and what you need to do.
You can appoint someone to do the risk assessment for you if you'd prefer. See our guidance for appointing a risk assessor (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/safety/businesses/find-risk-assessor).
Risk assessment template
Download our fire risk assessment template (Word format).
Recommendations for suppliers
We cannot recommend an individual or service provider for fire safety equipment or risk assessments.
We recommend that you consider someone with third-party accreditation or registered with a recognised scheme. Read our guidance on how to find a competent risk assessor (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/safety/businesses/find-risk-assessor).