What Is Included in a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a structured, legally required review of a building’s fire safety arrangements, but what exactly is included?

While every property presents different challenges, the assessment process follows a consistent methodology designed to identify hazards, evaluate the level of risk and confirm that the right protective measures are in place. Whether you manage a commercial office, a block of flats or an HMO, the same core principles apply.

At T2 Fire, our fire risk assessment services cover the full scope of this process. Here is what you can expect to be reviewed.

What Does a Fire Risk Assessment Cover?

A fire risk assessment considers all factors that affect fire safety within a building. This includes identifying potential hazards, reviewing safety systems and ensuring appropriate procedures are in place to protect occupants.

At a top level, a fire risk assessment covers:

• Sources of ignition, such as electrical systems or hot works
• Combustible materials within the building
• Fire detection and alarm systems
• Escape routes and emergency lighting
• Fire safety signage
• Visual checks on fire doors
• Firefighting equipment
• Fire safety management procedures

The goal is to ensure that fire risks can be identified early, escape routes remain protected and occupants can evacuate safely.

Identifying Fire Hazards Within Your Property

The first stage is a thorough examination of potential ignition sources and combustible materials within the building. A fire requires three elements to start: a source of heat, a fuel and oxygen. The assessment looks at how these interact within your specific environment.

Common ignition sources reviewed include electrical installations and equipment, heating systems, cooking appliances and activities such as hot works. Combustible materials such as paper storage, waste accumulation, soft furnishings and flammable liquids are also assessed for how they might contribute to fire development.

This stage is about understanding not just whether hazards exist, but how likely they are to combine and cause a fire. Identifying these risks early is the most effective way to prevent incidents before they occur.

Identifying People at Risk

Fire safety is ultimately about protecting people, so the assessment gives particular attention to who occupies the building and how they might be affected in an emergency.

This means considering regular occupants such as employees and residents alongside visitors, customers and members of the public who may be unfamiliar with the layout. Particular focus is placed on anyone who may need additional assistance to evacuate including those with limited mobility, sensory impairments or other support needs.

This is even more important for buildings with higher-risk occupancy profiles such as HMOs, care settings or hotels. This is because the mix of occupants and their varying familiarity with the building directly shapes what evacuation arrangements need to be in place.

Evaluating Fire Detection and Warning Systems

Early detection is one of the most critical factors in giving occupants enough time to respond and evacuate safely. The assessment reviews whether appropriate fire detection and alarm systems are installed across the building and whether they are being properly maintained.

This includes examining:

• The type of detection system in place and whether it suits the building’s use and layout
• The coverage of alarm sounders and whether all areas of the building receive adequate warning
• Maintenance, testing and servicing records to confirm the system is functioning reliably

A system that has not been tested or serviced may provide false assurance. The assessment identifies whether what is in place can genuinely be relied upon in an emergency.

Assessing Means of Escape

The ability to evacuate a building quickly and safely is at the heart of fire safety design. The assessment examines whether escape routes are adequate, accessible and clearly defined for all occupants.

Reviewers consider the number and positioning of exits, the distances occupants must travel to reach them, the provision of emergency lighting and the clarity of fire safety signage throughout the building. Routes must be free from obstructions and suitable for all building users including those who may be unfamiliar with the layout.

For commercial premises and multi-occupancy buildings alike, poorly maintained escape routes remain one of the most common findings in fire risk assessments and one of the most straightforward to address with the right guidance.

Reviewing Fire Protection Measures

Fire protection measures work alongside detection and escape provisions to limit the spread of fire and smoke, buying occupants additional time to evacuate and reducing damage to the building.

The assessment reviews both passive and active protection systems, including:

• *Fire doors and compartmentation designed to contain fire and smoke within defined areas of the building
• Fire-resistant construction including walls, floors and ceilings that contribute to the building’s overall compartmentation
• Firefighting equipment including portable fire extinguishers, their type, positioning and servicing history

*Fire doors receive a visual inspection during the assessment for obvious defects such as damaged seals, ill-fitting frames or missing closers. Where issues are identified, a more detailed inspection by a specialist fire door inspector may be recommended. 

Poor fire door maintenance is a significant compliance issue across many property types, particularly flats and communal areas.

Checking Fire Safety Management

A building can have all the right physical systems in place and still represent a significant risk if fire safety management is not embedded into day-to-day operations. The assessment reviews how fire safety is organised and maintained by the Responsible Person.

This covers:

• Whether a fire safety policy exists and is being followed
• The roles and responsibilities of staff including fire warden arrangements
• Staff training levels and whether fire safety awareness is being maintained, including through programmes such as online fire marshal training
• Documented evacuation procedures and whether they are regularly tested through fire drills

If you are unsure whether your current arrangements would stand up to scrutiny, our fire safety consultancy service can help you review and strengthen your approach before a formal assessment takes place.

Recording Findings and Recommendations

The outcome of the assessment is a written report setting out identified hazards, the current level of risk and a prioritised list of recommended actions. These recommendations are graded so that the most significant risks can be addressed first, with timescales for completion assigned to each action.

It is important to understand that an assessment only has value if its findings are acted upon. Responsible Persons should treat the report as a working document rather than a filing exercise. Findings should be reviewed, actions completed and evidence of compliance retained.

For businesses with five or more employees, maintaining written records of your fire risk assessment is also a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Why Fire Risk Assessments are Ongoing Requirements

A fire risk assessment is not a one-time exercise. It must be kept under review and updated whenever significant changes occur including changes to the building’s layout, occupancy, use or the applicable legislation.

As a general rule, annual review is recommended for most premises, though higher-risk buildings or those that undergo frequent changes may require more regular attention. Our team covers London, Kent, Essex and Surrey and can work with you to establish a review schedule that reflects the nature of your property and its occupancy.

If your fire risk assessment is overdue or you are unsure whether your current assessment remains valid, get in touch with our team for a no-obligation conversation.