Fire Risk Assessments for Commercial Buildings: How Often Should You Update Yours?

What is a fire risk assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of your building to identify potential fire hazards and the people who may be at risk. It examines everything from ignition sources and flammable materials to escape routes and fire detection systems, providing clear recommendations for improving safety.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the "responsible person" for any non-domestic premises must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is in place. This typically falls to the building owner, employer, or managing agent. Since October 2023, you must also record your assessment in full, regardless of the size of your business.

How often should fire risk assessments be reviewed?

UK fire safety legislation requires that risk assessments are reviewed "regularly" to keep them up to date, but it does not specify an exact timeframe. This flexibility acknowledges that different buildings carry different levels of risk.

As a general rule, the fire risk assessment review period for most commercial buildings is once a year. However, the appropriate frequency depends on your specific circumstances:

• Standard-risk premises such as offices, retail units, and warehouses with stable occupancy should review their assessments annually
• Higher-risk premises including care homes, buildings with sleeping accommodation, or properties with complex fire safety systems may require reviews every six months.
• Lower-risk premises with minimal fire hazards and no significant changes may extend reviews to every 18 to 24 months, though this approach carries greater risk if circumstances change unexpectedly

BS 9792:2025 provides additional guidance, recommending that low-rise, modern buildings review assessments every two years with full replacement after four years, while higher-risk or taller buildings should review annually with replacement after three years.

What triggers an immediate fire risk assessment review?

Beyond scheduled reviews, certain events require you to revisit your assessment immediately. Ignoring these triggers can invalidate your existing assessment and leave your building non-compliant:

1. Building alterations or refurbishments that affect layout, compartmentation, escape routes, or fire protection systems
2. Changes in use or occupancy such as increased staff numbers, new tenants, or a shift in the type of activities conducted within the building
3. Introduction of new equipment or materials that could present additional fire hazards, including lithium-ion battery storage or new manufacturing processes
4. Fire incidents or near misses, even minor ones, which warrant investigation and potential updates to your fire safety measures
5. Enforcement action or guidance from your local fire authority following an inspection
6. Changes to fire safety systems including upgrades, repairs, or degradation of alarms, emergency lighting, sprinklers, or smoke control equipment

Who can review a fire risk assessment?

The law states that fire risk assessments must be carried out or reviewed by a "competent person" with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge. While there is no legal requirement for external certification, appointing an RICS-accredited professional or a member of a recognised fire safety body ensures your assessment meets the highest standards.

New guidance was also introduced in October 2023, stating that must record the identity of anyone involved in completing or reviewing your fire risk assessment, adding an extra layer of accountability to the process.

Discuss fire risk assessments with our building consultancy team

Keeping your fire risk assessment current protects your occupants, your property, and your business. Our building consultancy team can help you understand how often your risk assessment should be reviewed and ensure your premises remain fully compliant with current legislation.

With over 180 years of experience and 35 offices across the UK, BTG Eddisons is here to support your fire safety needs. Complete the form below to discuss fire risk assessments with our experts or call us on 0800 051 2593.