What Are the 5 Main Components of a Fire Risk Assessment?

If you’ve ever been told you need a Fire Risk Assessment, it might sound like a complex or daunting process—but it doesn’t have to be.

In fact, once you break it down, a fire risk assessment is built around five simple steps.

At ESI: Fire Safety, we carry out professional Fire Risk Assessments across Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire—and in this post, we’re going to walk you through the five main components that make up every proper assessment.

Whether you’re a business owner, landlord, or property manager, understanding these key steps can help you stay safe, compliant, and in control.

1. Identify Fire Hazards

The first step is all about spotting what could cause a fire. This includes:

• Sources of ignition (e.g. heaters, cookers, faulty electrics, lighting, cigarettes)
• Sources of fuel (e.g. paper, cardboard, rubbish, soft furnishings, flammable liquids)
• Sources of oxygen (usually air, but also things like oxygen tanks in medical or care settings)

This part of the assessment is often about walking the building with fresh eyes and asking: What could start a fire here?

It sounds simple, but it’s surprising how often overlooked risks build up over time—like cluttered electrical cupboards or bins stored too close to exits.

2. Identify People at Risk

Next, your assessor will look at who could be at risk if a fire did break out—and where they’d be in the building.

This includes:

• Staff, customers, or visitors in a business setting
• Tenants and residents in flats or HMOs
• People working alone or in isolated areas (e.g. plant rooms or storerooms)
• Vulnerable individuals who might need help evacuating (such as children, elderly people, or those with disabilities)

It’s not just about numbers—it’s about understanding the layout of the building, how people move through it, and who might need extra support or consideration during an evacuation.

3. Evaluate, Remove, Reduce, and Protect

This is where we dig into the detail of how serious the risks are—and what can be done about them.

Your assessor will:

• Evaluate how likely a fire is to start
• Assess how easily it could spread
• Look at what fire protection measures are already in place (alarms, extinguishers, fire doors, signage)
• Recommend improvements to reduce risk and protect people

This might mean simple changes, like removing flammable materials or clearing escape routes. Or it might highlight the need for upgrades—like replacing faulty emergency lighting, installing more signage, or improving compartmentation between flats.

At ESI, we always aim to give clear, practical recommendations—not just long technical reports. You’ll know exactly what needs fixing, why it matters, and how urgent it is.

4. Record, Plan, and Train

Once the risks are assessed and actions are recommended, the next step is to document everything—and create a proper fire safety plan.

For most premises, especially those with staff, this includes:

• A written fire risk assessment report
• An emergency evacuation plan
• Regular fire drills and staff training
• Maintenance schedules for alarms, lighting, and fire safety equipment

Since October 2023, all premises are now required to have a written fire risk assessment, even if you only have one employee or are managing a small block of flats. That means scribbled notes or verbal plans just won’t cut it anymore.

Training also plays a big part here. Everyone in the building needs to know what to do in case of fire—especially key staff members or anyone responsible for helping others evacuate.

5. Review and Update

The final piece of the puzzle is to keep your fire risk assessment up to date.

This doesn’t mean starting from scratch every year, but it does mean checking whether anything has changed that might affect fire safety. For example:

• Have you added new furniture or equipment?
• Have escape routes been blocked or altered?
• Have new tenants or employees moved in?
• Have there been any near misses or safety concerns?

In general, fire risk assessments should be reviewed annually—or sooner if there’s been a change in the building layout, occupancy, or risk level.

At ESI, we make this easy for our clients by offering scheduled reviews and friendly reminders, so you never fall behind on compliance.

Final Thoughts

So, to recap, the five main components of a fire risk assessment are:

1. Identify fire hazards
2. Identify people at risk
3. Evaluate, remove, reduce, and protect
4. Record findings, plan, and train
5. Review and update regularly

It’s a process designed not just to tick a legal box—but to genuinely protect lives and make sure your building is as safe as it can be.

If you’re unsure when your last fire risk assessment was done—or you’ve never had one—now’s the time to act. The law is tightening, and the risks are real.

Need help with a fire risk assessment?
Call ESI today or book online. Our fully qualified, IFSM-registered assessors are here to make fire safety simple, practical, and compliant—wherever you are in Hampshire, Surrey, or Berkshire.