How long is a fire risk assessment valid?

The responsible person for any non-domestic premises: workplaces, shops, offices, and places the public visit. It also covers the common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings, such as the shared stairs and corridors of a block of flats or an HMO, where the landlord, freeholder or managing agent is usually responsible. In shared premises there is often more than one responsible person, and they must co-operate.

• An old assessment is not unlawful by date alone. The breach is failing to keep it up to date when something has changed, or failing to review it regularly.
• The local fire and rescue authority can serve an enforcement notice. London Fire Brigade warns that if people are at risk it may have to close the business.
• Failing a fire safety duty in a way that puts people at risk of death or serious injury is an offence. On conviction in the Crown Court it can mean a fine, up to 2 years in prison, or both.
• Since 1 October 2023 some fire safety offences carry unlimited fines instead of the old £1,000 cap.

1. 1

   List what has changed

   Building work, a new layout, more people, different stock, new chemicals or dangerous substances, a fire or a near miss. Any of these is a reason to review now.

2. 2

   Decide who will do it

   A small, simple premises can be assessed in-house. For larger or complex premises London Fire Brigade advises using a suitably qualified specialist. Anyone who helps must be competent.

3. 3

   Walk the premises

   Check escape routes and fire doors, alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers and signs against the last assessment. Note what no longer matches.

4. 4

   Record it in full

   Write down all findings, the actions you will take and who is especially at risk. Record the name, and organisation if any, of anyone who helped with the assessment.

5. 5

   Tell the people who need to know

   Brief staff on the risks. In buildings with two or more homes, give residents the relevant fire safety information and the responsible person’s contact details.

6. 6

   Log the review date

   Government guidance says to keep a record that you reviewed the assessment and the date you did it. Set the next review now.

A simple reminder plan: 60 days, 30 days, 7 days before the expiry date. The calculator above puts these in your calendar.

• The full written assessment and every review, with dates.
• The name and organisation of anyone who helped carry it out.
• Your fire safety arrangements: how fire safety is managed in the premises.
• The action plan, with who fixed what and when.
• For buildings with two or more homes, what you told residents and when.

• Treating the assessment as a certificate that lasts a set time. It is only current while it still matches the premises.
• Recording only the headline findings. Since October 2023 the whole assessment must be written down.
• Not reviewing after a refit, a change of use or a new tenant in a shared building.
• Leaving the action plan open. Findings that are never closed out are what inspectors look for.
• Not agreeing with other responsible persons in a shared building who covers the common parts.