Identify fire hazards: Determine potential sources of ignition, such as faulty electrical equipment, cooking appliances, or portable gas heaters. Identify people at risk: Assess who might be affected by a fire, including those sleeping, individuals with impairments, staff, visitors, contractors, or the general public. Evaluate, remove, or reduce risks: Analyze the severity and likelihood of risks, and implement measures to mitigate or eliminate them. Record your findings: Document the identified risks and create an emergency response plan. Review and update the assessment: Regularly revisit and revise the assessment to ensure it remains up-to-date.

Yes, under Article 9 of The Fire Safety Order 2005, conducting a fire risk assessment is a legal obligation. Since 2006, it has been mandatory for certain premises in the UK to carry out fire risk assessments in accordance with legal requirements, establishing the standard for fire safety in all non-domestic properties. (Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own fire safety laws.) Additionally, the Building Safety Act 2022 now requires every premises to have a documented fire risk assessment. A fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly by the responsible person to ensure it remains up to date. While there is no specific definition of "regularly," reviewing it annually is widely considered best practice. However, this can change on the type of premises.

Proposed changes to legislation suggest that future Fire Risk Assessments will require the “specialist knowledge and expertise of the fire risk assessor,” meaning all fire risk assessments may soon need to be conducted by a professional.

A fire risk assessment is a comprehensive review of a building or workplace designed to identify potential fire hazards and assess the risk of harm. It considers the likelihood of a fire starting and the potential impact on individuals in and around the premises. This process is a legal obligation for anyone responsible for a property that is not a single private residence.

A fire safety risk assessment should be reviewed regularly as part of an ongoing process, particularly if changes occur that could impact current safety measures. These changes may include: Modifications to the property, which could affect escape routes. Employment of young individuals, as they are considered vulnerable. Changes in the storage of hazardous materials. Occurrence of a fire-related incident. Damage to or expiration of fire safety equipment. Staff changes, such as a significant increase in personnel or the hiring of someone with disabilities.