who-needs-a-fire-risk-assessment-legal-requirements

--- title: Who Needs a fire risk Order 2005, any non-domestic premises in England and Wales must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, and the duty falls on the "responsible person" — typically the employer, owner or managing agent. That covers offices, shops-evacuations, factories, schools, care homes, restaurants, HMOs, places of worship and more. If people who are not your household visit or work in a building you control, you almost certainly need one. The penalties for non-compliance Order 2005, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. It is not formal legal advice — for a definitive view on your premises, book a HawkSwift fire risk assessment.*

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Your duties under the RRO 2005

• Carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and keep it current (Art. 9, RRO 2005).
• Identify people at risk, including those who need assistance to evacuate.
• Put general fire precautions in place — detection, warning, escape routes, fighting equipment (Art. 11).
• Maintain those measures in efficient working order (Art. 17).
• Provide staff with fire-safety instruction and training (Art. 21).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a written fire risk assessment? Yes, if you employ 5+ people, are a licensable or higher-risk premises, or the building is not a private home (Art. 9). How often should I review it? At least annually and immediately after any significant change. Can I do my own? Only if you are competent; many use a qualified NEBOSH-assessed assessor for a court-defensible report. Where do I start? Book a HawkSwift assessment — general guidance, not formal legal advice.

*General guidance, not formal legal advice — book a HawkSwift assessment for your premises.*

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What a competent fire risk assessment covers

A suitable and sufficient FRA follows the PAS 79-1 methodology:

• Stage 1 — Preliminary: gather premises info, identify responsible person and previous assessments.
• Stage 2 — Identify hazards: sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen across all areas.
• Stage 3 — People at risk: occupants, visitors, contractors and anyone needing assistance.
• Stage 4 — Evaluate & protect: whether risks are eliminated or reduced, and whether fire precautions are adequate.
• Stage 5 — Record & plan: write it down, set an action plan with owners and dates, and set the review date.

HawkSwift delivers this as a written, court-defensible report — general guidance, not formal legal advice.