Are Fire Risk Assessments a Legal Requirement?

A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for almost all buildings and premises in England and Wales, apart from single private dwellings. The current legal framework is built on several key pieces of legislation, which have evolved to strengthen fire safety responsibilities and protect people in the event of a fire.

The legal requirement is simple at its heart: if you are responsible for a property, you must make sure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is performed, kept up to date, and acted upon.

You’re expected to identify hazards, assess the risk to people, and put the right fire precautions in place to reduce or remove those risks. That responsibility falls to the “responsible person,” which usually means the employer, owner, landlord, or anyone in control of the premises.

It is not just a one-off task either. It’s a living document that needs regular updates, especially if there are significant changes to your property, activities, or the people inside.

Summary Table: Key Legal Duties

For many organisations, this can feel overwhelming at first. That is why, at Omny, we’re passionate about making it easier. Through our Fire Risk Assessments service, we help you meet all your legal obligations without the jargon or stress, so you can focus on running your business with confidence.

Who Is the Responsible Person for Fire Safety?

When it comes to fire safety, the law is very clear. Every building must have someone who takes ownership of keeping people safe. This person is known as the “responsible person.”

If you are an employer, a landlord, a property owner, or someone with control over a premises, that person is you. You are legally required to perform a fire risk assessment, act on its findings, and make sure the right fire safety measures are always in place.

In some buildings, especially those with shared spaces, there might be more than one responsible person. For example, in a block of flats, the managing agent might be responsible for the communal areas, while individual businesses are responsible for their own units. Good communication between all responsible parties is essential to keep everyone safe.

Taking on this role does not mean you have to do everything yourself. What matters is that you ensure the assessment is carried out properly, by a competent person. Many people choose to partner with experts like Omny to deliver their fire safety consultancy services, giving them peace of mind that everything is handled correctly.

Russell often reminds people,

“Being the responsible person is not just about legal compliance, it is about leadership. It is about stepping up and creating a workplace where people feel safe, valued, and protected.”

If you are unsure whether you are the responsible person for your building, or if you need help understanding what is expected of you, we are here to make it simple.

How Often Must a Fire Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?

A fire risk assessment is not something you do once and forget about. The law expects it to be reviewed regularly to make sure it stays up to date and reflects any changes in your premises, activities, or workforce.

There is no set timescale written into the legislation, but best practice is to review your fire risk assessment:

• At least once a year to ensure it is still accurate and effective
• Immediately after significant changes to the property, such as renovations or extensions
• If there are major changes to how the property is used, or who occupies it
• Following a fire incident or near miss

For example, if you have installed new partition walls, added more equipment, changed the layout, or taken on more staff, your risk profile will have changed too. An updated fire risk assessment makes sure your safety measures continue to offer the right level of protection.

If your company is growing, adapting, or simply looking for reassurance, our fire risk assessment service can help you stay ahead. We will work with you to keep your safety standards strong, your legal obligations met, and your people properly protected.

It’s always better to act early rather than wait for an incident or an inspection to highlight gaps. A proactive approach to fire safety protects lives, secures your operations, and builds real confidence across your team.

What Happens If You Fail to Comply?

Failing to carry out a fire risk assessment is not just a technical oversight; it is a serious breach of your legal duties. Did you know that authorities such as your local fire brigade have the power to inspect premises, ask for evidence of compliance, and even close unsafe premises?

If a responsible person does not complete an assessment, does not act on its findings, or allows potential risks to go unmanaged, there can be major consequences, including:

• Large fines issued by the fire authority
• Prosecution leading to criminal charges
• Imprisonment in the most serious cases
• Enforcement notices requiring urgent improvements
• Prohibition notices that can shut down your operations immediately

Beyond the legal issues, there is an even bigger concern: the risk to people’s lives.

Insurance is another area that is often overlooked. Many insurers will not pay out after a fire if you are found to be non-compliant with fire safety laws. This could leave you facing huge costs for repairs, legal fees, as well as loss of income.

At Omny, we believe that prevention is always better than a cure. Following guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council and making sure your fire risk assessments remain up to date will help you stay compliant and protect everyone who uses your premises.

Who Can Carry Out a Fire Risk Assessment?

The law says that a fire risk assessment must be carried out by someone who is competent. This means they need to have the right skills, knowledge, and experience to properly identify fire risks and recommend effective safety measures.

In many organisations, the responsible person might feel confident enough to complete the assessment themselves, especially in low-risk environments. However, when buildings are larger, more complex, or involve higher levels of fire risk, it is often safer and smarter to bring in a professional.

A competent fire risk assessor will:

• Understand new fire safety legislation inside and out
• Know how to identify hidden risk of fire hazards
• Be able to recommend proportionate, practical safety measures such as fire detection and warning systems, fire doors, emergency lighting, and fire extinguishers.
• Provide clear documentation and guidance that meets legal standards
• Help you prioritise improvements without over-complicating the process
• Recommend suitable fire safety training for your team

Choosing the right support matters. At Omny, our fire risk assessments are delivered by experienced consultants who work alongside you. We tailor our advice to your building, your company, and your team, making sure you stay compliant in a way that feels clear and manageable.

If you want even greater support, our fire safety consultancy service can help you develop a complete fire safety strategy, from risk assessments to emergency planning, training, and beyond.

Getting it right is not just about ticking a box. It is about creating a safer, stronger foundation for your business and everyone who relies on it.

We can help you with:

• Performing a fire risk assessment review
• Identifying fire hazards and recommending proportionate solutions
• Designing emergency evacuation plans that keep everyone safe
• Providing fire door inspections to make sure your escape routes stay secure
• Offering expert advice through our fire safety consultancy

Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to improve on what you already have, we will guide you through every stage. We focus on keeping things simple, clear, and compliant, without jargon or unnecessary complications.

As Russell says,

“When leaders see fire safety as an opportunity to strengthen what they do, not just a legal obligation, that is when real progress happens.”

We are proud to be a trusted partner to companies across the UK, helping them build safer environments where people can thrive. When you work with us, you are not just meeting legal requirements, you are investing in your team, your reputation, and your future.

If you are ready to feel confident about your fire safety, we are ready to help.