How Often Should a Fire Risk Assessment Be Done?

One of the most common questions we are asked is: how often does a fire risk assessment need to be done? It is a fair question — and the answer requires a little explanation.

What the Law Actually Says

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 does not specify a fixed interval for fire risk assessments. It does not say "every year" or "every three years." Instead, it states that the assessment must be suitable and sufficient and must be reviewed regularly — or whenever there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid.

This means the responsibility falls on the duty holder (the landlord, employer, or responsible person) to judge when a review is needed.

Our Recommendation: Annual Reviews

While the law leaves the frequency open, we advise renewing your fire risk assessment annually. An annual review is widely regarded as good practice and gives you confidence that your assessment remains current, accurate, and compliant.

It also demonstrates to tenants, employees, and enforcement authorities that you are taking your fire safety responsibilities seriously.

When You Should Reassess Sooner

Regardless of when your last assessment was carried out, you should arrange a new one if any of the following apply:

• Significant structural changes — such as an extension, conversion, or internal reconfiguration
• A large increase in the number of occupants — more people means more risk and potentially different escape requirements
• A change in the use of the building — for example, converting a residential property into an HMO, or changing how a commercial space is used
• New fire hazards introduced — such as new equipment, processes, or materials
• A fire or near-miss incident — which may indicate that existing measures are insufficient
• An enforcement notice from the fire authority — which will typically require an immediate reassessment

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

An out-of-date fire risk assessment is not just a paperwork problem. If a fire occurs and it is found that your assessment was not current or did not reflect the actual risks in the building, you could face serious legal consequences — as well as the far greater consequence of harm to the people in your property.

We Make It Simple

At MS Fire Safety, we offer straightforward annual review assessments as well as full reassessments following significant changes. Our assessments are carried out by a FireQual Level 3 qualified assessor, and we will always give you a clear, jargon-free report with practical recommendations.

Get in touch today to book your assessment or discuss your requirements.