Guide
Choose a competent fire risk assessor
How to select a qualified professional to conduct your fire risk assessment, or decide if you can do it yourself. Includes what to look for, questions to ask, and warning signs to avoid.
As the responsible person for your premises, you must ensure your fire risk assessment is conducted by someone competent. This could be you, a member of staff, or an external professional.
Article 18 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires you to appoint one or more competent persons to assist with fire safety. A competent person has sufficient training, experience, knowledge and other qualities to properly assist.
This guide helps you decide whether to do your own assessment or hire a professional, and how to choose the right assessor.
Can you do it yourself?
You can conduct your own fire risk assessment if:
- Your premises are simple and low-risk
- You understand fire safety principles
- You use appropriate guidance (such as the GOV.UK fire safety guides for your premises type)
Self-assessment is suitable for:
- Single-storey shops or offices
- Simple layouts with obvious escape routes
- No sleeping accommodation
- No high-risk processes or materials
- No vulnerable occupants requiring special assistance
If you self-assess, use the government's 5-step checklist and the sector-specific fire safety guide for your premises type. Keep records showing you followed proper methodology.
If you are unsure whether you are competent to assess your own premises, use a professional. Getting it wrong could endanger lives and result in prosecution.
When to use a professional assessor
You should use a professionally qualified fire risk assessor for:
- Complex premises - multi-storey buildings, multiple occupiers, unusual layouts, interconnected buildings
- Sleeping accommodation - hotels, guest houses, care homes, HMOs, hostels, residential schools
- High-risk premises - chemical storage, manufacturing with flammable materials, laboratories, workshops
- Heritage buildings - listed buildings where fire safety modifications may be restricted
- Vulnerable occupants - care homes, nurseries, hospitals, schools, premises where people may need assistance to evacuate
- After enforcement action - if you have received an enforcement notice or prohibition notice from the fire service
Using a professional provides assurance that your assessment meets legal requirements and identifies all significant risks. It also demonstrates to the fire authority that you have taken your duties seriously.
What makes a competent assessor
The Fire Safety Order defines competency as having sufficient training, experience, knowledge and other qualities to properly assist with fire safety. There is no single mandatory qualification, but assessors should be able to demonstrate competency through:
Look for BAFE SP205 certification
BAFE SP205 is the primary third-party certification scheme for fire risk assessors in the UK. It is called 'Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment' and is operated by BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment).
Benefits of using a BAFE SP205 certified assessor:
- UKAS accredited independent verification of competency
- Annual audits and quality checks by accredited certification bodies
- All assessments validated by a qualified validator
- Assessors listed on the searchable BAFE register
- Clear evidence of competency you can demonstrate to the fire authority
While BAFE SP205 certification is not legally required, it provides the strongest evidence that an assessor is competent. Many enforcing authorities recommend using BAFE registered assessors.
Professional qualifications to look for
While there is no single mandatory qualification, look for assessors with recognised fire safety qualifications:
- IFE Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment - awarded by the Institution of Fire Engineers, the leading professional body for fire engineers
- NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management - internationally recognised health and safety qualification with fire safety specialisation
- Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment - vocational qualification available through FireQual awarding bodies
- FPA Diploma in Fire Safety - comprehensive qualification from the Fire Protection Association
Also check for membership of professional bodies such as the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) or the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Professional membership demonstrates ongoing commitment to competence and continuing professional development.
Questions to ask before hiring
Before appointing a fire risk assessor, ask these questions:
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What qualifications and certifications do you hold?
Look for recognised fire safety qualifications and third-party certification such as BAFE SP205. Ask to see certificates.
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How long have you been conducting fire risk assessments?
Experience matters. Ask specifically about experience with premises similar to yours in size, type, and complexity.
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Are you BAFE SP205 certified?
This is the primary third-party certification scheme. If yes, ask for their BAFE registration number so you can verify it on the register.
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Can you provide references from similar premises?
A competent assessor should be able to provide references from businesses similar to yours. Follow up and check them.
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What does your assessment include?
Should include a site visit to all areas, a written report with clear findings, and a prioritised action plan with recommendations.
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Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Professional indemnity insurance protects you if their advice proves faulty. Ask for proof of cover and check it is current.
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What is your methodology?
Competent assessors should be able to explain their approach clearly. Look for reference to the 5-step process and relevant guidance documents.
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What happens after the assessment?
Good assessors offer follow-up support. Ask whether they can help you implement recommendations and whether re-assessment services are available.
Warning signs to avoid
Be wary of assessors who display any of these red flags:
Red flags when choosing an assessor:
- No formal qualifications or certification - anyone can call themselves a fire risk assessor
- Cannot or will not provide references - reluctance suggests lack of track record
- Offers unusually low prices - proper assessments take time; cheap quotes often mean corners will be cut
- Cannot explain their methodology - competent assessors understand and can explain the process
- Produces generic template assessments - your assessment must be specific to your premises
- Promises to 'pass' your premises - a risk assessment is not a pass/fail test
- Tries to sell unnecessary equipment - some assessors earn commission, creating conflict of interest
- Unwilling to visit the premises - remote or 'desktop' assessments are not suitable
What to expect from the assessment
A competent fire risk assessment should include:
- A thorough site visit - covering all areas, including basements, roof spaces, storage areas, and external spaces
- Identification of fire hazards - sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen that could cause a fire to start or spread
- Identification of people at risk - employees, visitors, contractors, neighbours, and anyone who might need assistance to evacuate
- Evaluation of existing measures - review of your current fire detection, alarms, firefighting equipment, escape routes, and procedures
- A written report - clear findings documented in a format that can be understood and shown to fire authority inspectors
- An action plan - prioritised recommendations showing what you need to do, how urgent each action is, and suggested timescales
- Guidance on review frequency - recommendations for when to review the assessment and what trigger events require immediate review
The assessment itself typically takes 2 to 4 hours for simple premises, longer for complex buildings. The written report should follow within 1 to 2 weeks.
Getting quotes
When requesting quotes, provide assessors with:
- Type of premises (office, shop, factory, warehouse, care home, etc.)
- Size in square metres or feet
- Number of floors
- Number of occupants (staff and typical visitor numbers)
- Whether there is sleeping accommodation
- Any hazardous materials or processes
- Whether it is a shared or multi-occupied building
Get at least three quotes and compare not just price but also the assessor's qualifications, experience with similar premises, and what the quote includes.
After the assessment
Once you receive your fire risk assessment:
- Read and understand it - ask the assessor to explain anything unclear
- Act on the recommendations - an assessment is only useful if you implement the measures it identifies
- Prioritise significant risks - address high-risk findings immediately
- Keep records - document what actions you have taken and when
- Store the assessment securely - you must be able to produce it if the fire authority requests it
- Schedule the next review - annual review is standard, or sooner if circumstances change