Do I Need a Fire Risk Assessment?
Last reviewed 16 June 2026
If you run a business, manage a building, or are responsible for any premises other than a single private home, you almost certainly need a fire risk assessment. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a legal duty on the responsible person to carry one out and to keep it up to date. This guide explains who the law applies to, who counts as the responsible person, and when the assessment must be reviewed.
Who needs a fire risk assessment
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to virtually all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including workplaces, shops, offices, factories, care homes, hotels, and the common parts of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation. If your premises fall into any of these categories, a fire risk assessment is a legal requirement, not an optional extra.
Single private dwellings are outside the scope of the Order, although the common parts of a building that contains multiple homes are covered. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own equivalent legislation, the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, which impose broadly similar duties.
Who is the responsible person
The duty falls on the responsible person, which in a workplace is usually the employer, and in other premises is the person who has control of the building, such as the owner, landlord, or managing agent. In a building with several occupiers there can be more than one responsible person, and they have a legal duty to cooperate and coordinate their fire safety arrangements.
The responsible person does not have to carry out the assessment personally, but they remain accountable for making sure it is done by someone competent and that the findings are acted on. Appointing a qualified assessor does not transfer the legal duty, it discharges it.
When to review the assessment
A fire risk assessment is not a one-off document. The law requires it to be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to believe it is no longer valid, for example after building work, a change of use, a significant change in the number of occupants, or a fire or near miss. In practice most duty-holders review annually and carry out a full reassessment every one to five years depending on the level of risk.
Failing to have a suitable and sufficient assessment is a criminal offence and can lead to enforcement notices, prohibition of use, unlimited fines, and in serious cases imprisonment. It can also invalidate buildings insurance, so keeping the assessment current is both a legal and a commercial necessity.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement?
Yes. For all non-domestic premises and the common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 makes a fire risk assessment a legal requirement.
Does my small office need a fire risk assessment?
Yes. The size of the premises does not change the duty. Any workplace, including a small office, requires a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, although a low-risk premises will need a simpler one.
Who is responsible for the fire risk assessment?
The responsible person, usually the employer, building owner, landlord, or managing agent. They remain legally accountable even if they appoint a competent assessor to carry out the work.
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
It should be reviewed regularly and whenever it may no longer be valid, such as after building changes or an incident. Most duty-holders review annually and carry out a full reassessment every one to five years.