You may conduct your own assessment provided you are deemed a competent person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This requires sufficient training, knowledge, and experience to properly evaluate the risks and implement necessary precautions. Although a formal qualification like NEBOSH is not legally mandated, many organisations engage certified professionals to produce a court-defensible report. Reviews must happen annually or immediately following any significant change to the premises.
General guidance, not formal legal advice — book a HawkSwift assessment for your premises.
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.
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.
Book your assessment
HawkSwift delivers NEBOSH-qualified, court-defensible fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT with a 48-hour turnaround. A written report, an action plan you can hand to an inspector, and no jargon. Book your FRA or talk to the team today.
Quick answers
Q: Can I do my own fire risk assessment?
You may perform your own assessment only if you are competent, though many responsible persons engage a qualified assessor to ensure a court-defensible report.
Q: How often should I review my fire risk assessment?
You must review the assessment at least annually and immediately after any significant change to the premises.
Q: What methodology is used for a fire risk assessment?
A suitable and sufficient assessment follows the PAS 79-1:2020 methodology, which covers gathering information, identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and recording findings.
