Do we need a new fire risk assessment every year?
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No. The law sets no fixed interval. The assessment has to be kept under regular review, and reviewed whenever you suspect it’s no longer valid or something significant changes. For small, simple premises, an annual review is recognised as good practice.
What the Government’s guidance says
The official guide for people with duties under fire safety law says a fire risk assessment is not a one-off exercise. The Order doesn’t specify how often it must be reviewed, but it does require regular review, and a review is particularly needed if there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or if there has been a significant change to the premises or the activities in them. The guide says the assessor should advise on frequency, and that for small and simple premises an annual review is recognised as good practice.
A review isn’t a new assessment
The guide says a review doesn’t have to mean a completely new assessment. A competent person can check that the actions from the last one were done, that nothing has changed in the building or how it’s managed that affects fire risk, and that fire safety measures haven’t deteriorated, for example that fire doors still work.
When you should review sooner
- The building has been altered, or its use has changed.
- The occupants have changed in a way that affects fire risk.
- The way the building is managed has changed.
- A fire has happened.
- You find that fire doors, alarms or other measures have deteriorated.
Many small blocks do an annual review and a full new assessment every few years, or when a professional assessor advises it. Whatever you choose, write down the review date and what you checked.
How Tiny Freeholder helps
Tiny Freeholder records the date of the assessment, shows when a review is recommended, keeps the actions list so you can show what was done, and reminds the directors when something is due.