What Actually Happens During a Fire Risk Assessment?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a clear duty on the 'responsible person' — usually the employer or building owner — to carry out a fire risk assessment and act on its findings. But what does that actually involve?

Step 1: Identify fire hazards

An assessor walks the premises looking for ignition sources (electrical equipment, heat-producing processes), fuel sources (paper, packaging, furniture) and oxygen sources (air conditioning, storage of oxidising chemicals).

Step 2: Identify people at risk

Special consideration goes to anyone who may be especially at risk: lone workers, people unfamiliar with the building, those with mobility impairments, or contractors and visitors.

Step 3: Evaluate and act

For each hazard, the assessor decides whether existing controls are adequate or whether additional measures are needed — better signage, additional exits, compartmentation, or revised evacuation procedures.

Step 4: Record, plan, train, review

If you employ five or more people, the findings must be recorded. Staff must be informed of the risks and trained in the emergency procedures. The assessment must be reviewed whenever there is a significant change to the premises or following any incident.

Our Fire Warden Training course prepares your designated wardens to support the responsible person and manage an evacuation confidently.