One of the most common questions we hear at ESI: Fire Safety is:
“How often should I do a fire risk assessment?”
The answer depends on your type of building, who uses it, and how often things change—but there are clear best practices and legal expectations you need to be aware of.
Whether you’re a business owner, landlord, or property manager, this blog will explain how often a fire risk assessment should be carried out, when it needs to be reviewed, and what triggers a fresh assessment.
What the Law Says
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 says you must carry out a “suitable and sufficient” fire risk assessment for your premises. It also says the assessment must be reviewed regularly—but it doesn’t give an exact timeframe.
So what does that mean in practice?
Essentially, you’re required to:
- Review your fire risk assessment regularly
- Update it immediately if there are significant changes to the building or how it’s used
- Keep written records of your assessment and any updates (now required for all premises, regardless of size)
So, How Often Is “Regularly”?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, most fire safety professionals—and enforcement officers—expect a full fire risk assessment review at least once every 12 months.
If your building is higher risk (like a block of flats, care home, HMO, or a workplace with complex layouts or vulnerable occupants), you may need to review it more often.
As a general guide:
| Building Type | Recommended Review Frequency |
|---|---|
| Offices and Shops (low risk) | Every 12 months |
| Blocks of Flats with communal areas | Annually, or more often if needed |
| HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) | Annually or on tenancy change |
| Care Homes / Healthcare Premises | Every 6–12 months |
| Schools / Nurseries | Annually, ideally before term start |
| Warehouses / Factories | Annually, or after layout/process changes |
Even if nothing has changed in your building, a yearly review helps you stay compliant, spot any new hazards, and show you’re taking your duties seriously.
When Should You Update It Immediately?
There are several key triggers that should prompt an immediate review of your fire risk assessment—no matter when the last one was done:
- A fire or near-miss incident
- Building layout changes (e.g. internal walls, doors, escape routes)
- Changes in occupancy (new tenants, staff, or use of building)
- New fire safety systems or equipment installed
- Deterioration or damage to fire doors, alarms, or escape routes
- Construction or maintenance work in the building
- Changes in legislation (e.g. updates to the Fire Safety Regulations)
Waiting until your next annual review in these cases could leave you exposed—legally, financially, and from a safety standpoint.
Who’s Responsible for Keeping It Up to Date?
The Responsible Person—usually the business owner, landlord, or managing agent—is legally required to ensure the fire risk assessment is kept up to date and relevant. In shared buildings, this may involve multiple responsible persons coordinating and sharing information.
If your fire risk assessment was carried out a while ago, and you’re not sure who last reviewed it or what’s changed—it’s time to get it checked.
Our Recommendation at ESI
At ESI, we recommend a full review every 12 months, with a written record confirming either:
- That the assessment is still current and no action is required, or
- That updates are needed due to new risks or changes on-site
We also offer simple, low-cost scheduled review services to take the pressure off our clients—ideal for landlords, business owners, and property managers who want to stay compliant without the admin burden.
Our qualified assessors (all holding Level 3 and above, many at Level 6 and members of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers) will walk your premises, update your documentation, and give you clear, jargon-free advice—no guesswork required.
Final Thoughts
Fire safety isn’t a “set it and forget it” task.
Buildings change, people come and go, and even small adjustments can create new risks.
That’s why regular reviews of your fire risk assessment are so important—and increasingly expected by fire authorities, insurers, and regulators.
To summarise:
- Review your fire risk assessment at least once a year
- Update it immediately if your building, use, or occupancy changes
- Document everything to show you’ve met your legal responsibilities
- Get professional help if you’re unsure what’s changed or how to assess the risks
Need a fire risk assessment review or unsure when yours was last updated?
Call ESI today or book online. We work with landlords, businesses, and property managers across Camberley, Farnborough, Guildford, Reading, and the wider Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire areas—making fire safety simple, professional, and compliant.
