But how often is “regularly”? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The frequency of your reviews depends on the nature of your premises, how it’s used, and how much risk is involved. Here’s a detailed guide to how often you should review your fire risk assessment to stay compliant and maintain high fire safety standards.
Legal Requirements & What “Regularly” Means
The Fire Safety Order doesn’t prescribe a fixed schedule. It simply requires the Responsible Person to review the assessment regularly, especially if there is reason to believe it’s no longer valid, or after significant changes to the premises or its use.
Government guidance clarifies that review frequency depends on the circumstances, complexity, and risk level of the premises. What’s appropriate for one building might not be suitable for another.
In short, you have a legal duty to keep your GF Fire assessment up to date and adjust it whenever necessary. The law is designed to ensure that fire risk assessments are living documents — not static reports filed away and forgotten.
Best Practice Frequencies
Although there’s no specific legal timeframe, most fire safety professionals follow established best practices. The following intervals are widely accepted as suitable starting points:
Situation
Recommended Review Interval
Standard non-high-risk premises
Every 12 months
Higher-risk premises (e.g. care homes, schools, HMOs, buildings with vulnerable occupants)
Every 6–12 months
After significant changes
Immediately / as soon as practicable
Major rebuilds or change of use
Full reassessment rather than a review
Full reassessment (from scratch)
Every 3–5 years, depending on complexity
These timeframes ensure that your assessment remains accurate and effective, reflecting the current conditions and risk profile of your building.
When You Should Review Immediately
Aside from routine reviews, there are certain trigger events that should prompt an immediate review of your fire risk assessment:
- Change of Use or Layout
If you alter the internal layout, change occupancy levels, or repurpose areas of the building (for example, converting storage into office space), your existing assessment may no longer be valid. - Building Works or Structural Changes
Renovations, extensions, or alterations to escape routes or systems like ventilation or electrics can all affect fire safety. These changes demand a fresh look at your assessment. - New Equipment or Processes
Introducing new machinery, materials, or processes that alter the fire risk means you should review your assessment to account for the new hazards. - Fire Incident or Near-Miss
Any fire-related accident or near-miss should trigger an immediate review. It’s essential to identify what went wrong and implement stronger controls. - Regulation Updates
Changes in fire safety legislation or guidance can affect the content of your risk assessment. For example, updates may require you to assess new aspects such as building façades or communal fire doors. - Change in Occupants’ Risk Profile
If your building now houses more vulnerable people (such as children, the elderly, or those with mobility issues) or higher footfall, the risks increase and a reassessment becomes necessary.
Failing to review promptly after any of these situations could leave your premises non-compliant and unsafe.
Tailoring the Interval to Your Building Type
Not all buildings face the same risks, and the frequency of your reviews should reflect this. Here’s a general guide:
- Offices, Retail Units, and Small Commercial Premises
Medium-risk environments typically benefit from an annual review unless significant changes occur. - Blocks of Flats and Multi-Occupied Residential Buildings
Buildings with multiple occupants or complex layouts may need more frequent reviews, especially where residents are vulnerable or the structure is older. - Schools, Nurseries, Care Homes, and HMOs
Premises with vulnerable occupants or high levels of regulatory oversight should review fire risk assessments at least annually, and sometimes every six months. - Warehouses, Factories, and Industrial Sites
Facilities dealing with hazardous materials or heavy machinery often require more frequent reviews, particularly when processes or storage arrangements change. - Low-Risk Premises
Small, simple premises with stable occupancy may only need annual reviews and full reassessments every few years, provided there are no major changes.
This flexible approach ensures that the frequency of review matches the actual level of risk, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all rule.
Documenting & Demonstrating Compliance
Carrying out reviews is important — but so is recording and evidencing them properly. A well-maintained fire safety record can make all the difference if you’re inspected or audited.
- Keep Written Records
Document when each review was completed, who carried it out, what changes were identified, and what actions were taken. - Maintain Version Control
Save each version of your fire risk assessment with clear dates. This helps demonstrate an ongoing commitment to compliance and improvement. - Track Actions and Resolutions
Record not only identified risks but also how and when they were resolved. Follow-up actions should have clear deadlines and responsible persons. - Be Inspection-Ready
If an enforcing authority requests your records, you should be able to show a clear trail of reviews, updates, and corrective measures.
Regular documentation isn’t just good housekeeping — it’s proof that you’re taking your legal obligations seriously.
Practical Tips for Responsible Persons
For many organisations, the challenge isn’t just understanding when to review, but managing the process effectively. Here are practical ways to stay compliant:
- Set a Regular Review Schedule
Even though it’s not a legal requirement to review annually, setting a 12-month reminder helps ensure consistency and accountability. - Monitor for Changes
Appoint someone to track internal changes — from new equipment to layout modifications — and treat these as potential triggers for interim reviews. - Seek Competent Advice
Engage a qualified fire risk assessor, especially for complex premises. They can help determine the appropriate review frequency based on the unique risks of your site. - Use a Tracking System
Use digital tools or spreadsheets to log reviews, due dates, and actions. Automated reminders can help prevent overdue assessments. - Stay Informed About Legislation
Fire safety laws are evolving, and staying up to date ensures your assessment remains compliant. Subscribe to fire safety updates or attend relevant training sessions. - Balance Risk and Practicality
Overly frequent reviews can be resource-intensive, but too few can leave you exposed. Aim for a schedule that’s proportionate to your building’s level of risk and occupancy profile.
By establishing a proactive fire safety culture, you’ll reduce the likelihood of lapses and demonstrate strong management of your legal responsibilities.
Why Regular Reviews Are So Important
A fire risk assessment isn’t just a compliance exercise — it’s a fundamental tool for protecting life and property. Regular reviews ensure that your risk controls remain effective as your premises evolve.
Neglecting to review can have serious consequences. Out-of-date assessments often fail to account for new hazards or layout changes, leading to unsafe conditions or legal non-compliance. In contrast, an up-to-date assessment enables swift action to eliminate emerging risks and maintain safety for everyone on site.
In many cases, enforcement officers will ask for evidence of recent reviews. If you can’t show that your fire risk assessment is current, you may face enforcement notices or fines.
Conclusion
Reviewing your fire risk assessment is not a one-off task — it’s an ongoing responsibility. To remain compliant under UK fire safety law, you must ensure it’s regularly reviewed, especially when circumstances change.
In practice, an annual review is a sensible minimum for most premises. For higher-risk buildings or those with frequent changes, reviews every six to twelve months may be more appropriate. A full reassessment from scratch should typically take place every three to five years, depending on complexity.
By combining scheduled reviews with immediate reassessment after significant changes, you’ll not only stay compliant but also create a safer environment for occupants and staff alike. Regular, well-documented reviews are your best defence against both fire risk and legal risk — helping you keep people safe and your business protected.
