What Is a Fire Risk Assessor?

If you’re responsible for a building—whether it’s a workplace, block of flats, shop, or community space—you’ve probably come across the term “fire risk assessor.”

But what exactly is a fire risk assessor, what do they do, and when might you need one?

At ESI, we get asked this a lot by landlords, property managers, and business owners who want to do the right thing but aren’t sure where to start. So let’s clear up the confusion.

A fire risk assessor is someone who carries out a Fire Risk Assessment—a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for most non-domestic buildings and shared residential spaces.

Their job is to assess the risk of fire in a building, identify potential hazards, and make recommendations to reduce those risks and keep people safe.

Think of them as the person who helps you spot the problems before they become real dangers.

But it’s not just about ticking boxes.

A good fire risk assessor helps you understand your building, improve your safety measures, and make sure you’re complying with the law—without unnecessary overkill or costs.

Let’s say you’re a landlord of a block of flats. A fire risk assessor would look at the communal areas—like hallways, stairwells, bin stores, and entrances—and check for things like blocked escape routes, faulty fire doors, or buildup of flammable materials.

In a business premises, they’d also consider how staff and customers use the space, where the fire alarm points are, and whether equipment is regularly tested.

They’ll then produce a written report outlining the findings, highlighting risks, and giving you a clear action plan.

Now, while the law doesn’t specifically say the assessor must be qualified, it does say they must be “competent.” That means they need the right mix of knowledge, training, and experience to do the job properly. After all, an inaccurate or poor-quality assessment could land you in serious trouble if a fire does occur—or if the fire service comes knocking.

So, what does “competent” look like in practice? A competent fire risk assessor should:

• Understand the Fire Safety Order and related regulations
• Know how different types of buildings behave in a fire
• Be familiar with fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, and escape planning
• Be able to identify hazards like poor compartmentation or flammable materials
• Provide practical, proportionate advice for improvement
• Keep up to date with changes in legislation, guidance, and building standards

At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we take competency seriously. All our fire risk assessors hold a minimum of a Level 3 qualification in Fire Risk Assessment, and many of our team hold or are working towards a Level 6 qualification—which is equivalent to a degree-level standard.

We’re also proud to say our assessors are members of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM), a respected professional body that promotes excellence in fire safety and sets high standards for knowledge and conduct in the industry.

So when you choose ESI, you can be confident you’re working with experienced professionals who know what they’re doing and stay current with evolving fire safety best practices.

So, when do you need a fire risk assessor?

If you’re:

• A landlord with shared access areas in a block of flats
• A business owner or employer
• A building manager or agent
• Running a public space like a hall, shop, or community centre

…then you need a fire risk assessment, and that means you need someone competent to carry it out.

You might also want a fire risk assessor if:

• You’re unsure when the last assessment was done
• You’ve made changes to the building layout
• You’ve had a fire or near miss
• You’re applying for or renewing insurance
• You just want peace of mind that everything’s safe and legal

Having a qualified fire risk assessor on your side makes life a lot easier.

You get professional insight, legal compliance, and a solid foundation for improving safety without second-guessing yourself.

To sum it all up: a fire risk assessor is your go-to professional for identifying, understanding, and managing fire risks in your building. They help you protect lives, meet your legal duties, and stay one step ahead of enforcement or emergency situations.

Need a trusted fire risk assessor in Hampshire, Surrey, or Berkshire?
Give ESI a call or book online today. We’ll carry out a thorough, no-fuss assessment and guide you through everything you need to know—clearly, professionally, and with your safety as the top priority.