Choose a competent fire risk 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.

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:

Warning signs to avoid

Be wary of assessors who display any of these red flags:

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