A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for most UK buildings and a crucial part of keeping people safe from fire. Understanding how many steps make up a fire safety risk assessment helps the responsible person follow a clear, structured process that meets legal duties and reflects best practice.
In the UK, a fire safety risk assessment is typically based on five steps. These five steps are designed to identify fire hazards, assess fire risks, protect vulnerable people and ensure appropriate fire safety measures are in place. Whether you complete an assessment manually or support the process using uk fire risk assessment software, the same core principles apply.
Below, we explain each of the five steps in detail and show how they work together to help manage fire safety effectively over time.
Step 1: Identify fire hazards
The first step in any fire risk assessment is to identify fire hazards within the building. Fire hazards are anything that could start a fire, help it spread or increase the potential consequences.
Common hazards include ignition sources such as electrical equipment, hot processes, naked flames and poorly maintained appliances. Combustible materials like packaging materials, waste, furniture and high stock levels should also be assessed. Dangerous substances, including chemicals, fuels and flammable liquids, must be clearly identified as significant fire hazards.
This step focuses on understanding where a fire could start and what could make it worse, forming the foundation of the fire safety risk assessment.
Step 2: Identify people at risk
Once hazards are identified, the next step is to identify people who may be at risk if a fire occurs. This includes employees, visitors, contractors and members of the public.
Special consideration should be given to vulnerable people and vulnerable individuals, such as those with mobility impairments, sensory impairments, learning difficulties or people unfamiliar with the building. Night staff and lone workers may face additional safety risk due to reduced staffing levels.
Identifying who is at risk helps shape evacuation procedures and ensures people can be evacuated safely during a fire.
Step 3: Evaluate fire risks and decide on control measures
The third step is to evaluate the level of fire risk and decide whether existing fire safety measures are adequate. This involves assessing the likelihood of a fire starting and the potential consequences if it does.
At this stage, appropriate fire safety measures and control measures are put in place. These may include fire doors, fire detection systems, emergency escape lighting, fire extinguishers and clearly marked fire exits. Escape routes and evacuation routes should be unobstructed and suitable for safe evacuation.
Fire prevention measures should also be considered, such as controlling ignition sources, reducing combustible materials and improving housekeeping.
Step 4: Record findings and create an action plan
Recording findings is a crucial step in a compliant fire safety risk assessment. Significant findings, identified hazards and fire safety measures should be documented clearly, often using a fire risk assessment template.
An action plan should outline what actions are required, who is responsible and when actions will be completed. This may include providing training, appointing fire wardens, improving emergency escape lighting or updating fire drills.
Clear records help demonstrate compliance with fire safety law and provide evidence for the fire service if required.
Step 5: Review the assessment regularly
A fire risk assessment is not a one-off exercise. The final step is to ensure it is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary.
Reviews should take place if there are significant changes to the building, new risks emerge, a near miss occurs or after a small fire. Regular review ensures current risks are managed and fire safety measures remain effective.
Risk assessment regularly reviews should also consider whether the emergency plan and evacuation procedures remain suitable and whether additional training is required.
Who is responsible for a fire risk assessment?
The responsible person, often the building owner, employer or managing agent, has legal responsibility for ensuring a fire safety risk assessment is completed and kept up to date. They may carry out the assessment themselves if they are a competent person or appoint a fire risk assessor to do so on their behalf.
Regardless of who completes the assessment, responsibility for managing fire safety and implementing actions remains with the responsible person.
Working with external fire safety support
In more complex buildings or those housing vulnerable people, external support may be appropriate. Specialist fire proection company like Adaston can support fire safety planning, provide training, review assessments and help implement suitable fire safety measures.
External expertise can be particularly valuable following significant changes, when new risks are identified or when additional training is needed to keep people safe.
Why the five steps matter
Following the five steps of a fire safety risk assessment provides a structured, best practice approach to managing fire safety. It helps prevent fires, reduce fire risks and ensure people can evacuate safely if a fire occurs.
By identifying hazards, protecting people at risk, applying control measures and reviewing the assessment regularly, organisations can meet their legal requirement and maintain a safe building environment over time.