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:

  1. Elderly residents
  2. Children
  3. People with disabilities
  4. 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.

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