What Happens During a Fire Risk Assessment?

A Step-by-Step Breakdown That Takes the Fear Out of Fire Safety
Let’s be real: many folks delay scheduling a fire risk assessment because they’re unsure of what it involves.
Perhaps you’re concerned it might feel a bit too much. Perhaps you feel it’s a bit too technical. Or perhaps you’re feeling a bit uncertain about how everything functions.
Here’s the bright side: the process is easy, clear, and vital for safeguarding your property, your loved ones, and your tranquilly.
If you’re a landlord, facilities manager, or homeowner, this friendly guide will take you through what to expect during a fire safety inspection, why it’s important, and how it can help you avoid serious legal and financial issues.
Step 1: Understanding What a Fire Risk Assessment Is (And Why It’s Required)
Before we get into the process, let’s clear up a common question:
What is a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment is a legally required inspection that evaluates the fire safety of a building. It’s designed to:
● Identify potential fire hazards
● Highlight at-risk individuals
● Evaluate existing fire precautions
● Recommend improvements
● Ensure legal compliance under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and other relevant laws
Think of it as a health check for your property—except instead of blood pressure and cholesterol, we’re looking at fire exits, alarms, and electrical safety.
🛠️ Step 2: The Assessor Visit – What to Expect
On the day of your fire assessor visit, a certified professional will arrive at your property. No white gloves. No clipboard of doom. Just a friendly expert ready to help.
Here’s what they’ll typically do:
🔦 Visual Inspection
The assessor will walk through your property, room by room, checking for things like:
● Fire alarms and smoke detectors
● Fire extinguishers and their placements
● Escape routes and exit signage
● Fire doors and compartmentation
● Emergency lighting
● Electrical installations
● Sources of ignition (e.g., heaters, cookers, wiring)
● Storage of flammable materials
This inspection is thorough but respectful of your space. No damage. No disruption. Just observation and note-taking.
Step 3: Identifying People at Risk
Next, your assessor will consider who uses the property and whether any individuals are especially vulnerable during a fire—such as:
● Elderly residents
● Children
● People with disabilities
● Tenants who may be sleeping or unfamiliar with escape routes
Why? Because effective fire safety planning must be tailored to the people inside the building—not just the bricks and mortar.
🔧 Step 4: Evaluating Current Fire Safety Measures
Once hazards and people are identified, the assessor evaluates your existing fire safety setup. They’ll ask questions like:
● Are smoke and heat detectors installed in the right areas?
● Are the fire extinguishers appropriate and serviced?
● Is there a clear evacuation plan in place?
● Are the fire doors functioning correctly?
● Are emergency lights working properly during a power cut?
This stage helps determine whether your current setup is fit for purpose or needs improvement.
Step 5: The Fire Risk Report (UK Standard Format)
After the inspection, you’ll receive a formal fire risk report—and this is where the real value lies.
A professional fire risk report UK landlords and property owners trust will include:
✅ A summary of all findings
✅ A list of identified hazards
✅ Recommendations for improvements
✅ A risk rating (low, medium, or high)
✅ A compliance checklist
✅ Photos (if needed) to support findings
✅ Suggested timelines for action
No jargon. No fluff. Just clear, practical advice to help you stay compliant and safe.
Step 6: Action Plan and Ongoing Compliance
Once you have the report, it’s time to act. Depending on your property’s condition, your action plan might include:
● Installing or updating alarms
● Servicing extinguishers
● Fitting fire doors
● Training staff or tenants
● Improving signage or lighting
But here’s the best part—you’re not left to figure this out alone.
At FireRiskAssessment.org.uk, we don’t just hand you a report and walk away. We offer:
● Ongoing support
● Expert recommendations for trusted suppliers
● Follow-up assessments
● Templates for fire logbooks and evacuation plans
So you’re not just getting a report. You’re getting a roadmap—and a partner in fire safety.