5 Steps of a Fire Risk Assessment

Fire risk assessments in the UK follow a structured, five-step methodology forming the recognised fire risk assessment process used across UK premises.

The “5 steps” approach originates from UK government fire safety guidance and remains the recognised framework for carrying out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.

Understanding these five steps helps Responsible Persons, landlords, managing agents, and duty holders ensure compliance with UK fire safety legislation and maintain safe premises.

What Are the 5 Steps of a Fire Risk Assessment?

The five steps are:

1. Identify fire hazards
2. Identify people at risk
3. Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk
4. Record findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training
5. Review and update the fire risk assessment

The five-step approach originates from UK government fire safety guidance and remains the recognised framework. This structure ensures the assessment is systematic, proportionate, and legally defensible.

Step 1: Identify Fire Hazards

The first step is to identify anything that could start a fire and anything that could contribute to its spread.

Common fire hazards include:

• Electrical equipment and faulty wiring
• Portable heaters and fixed heating systems
• Cooking equipment
• Smoking materials
• Hot works activities
• Flammable liquids and gases
• Poor housekeeping and waste accumulation

The assessment must consider both ignition sources and combustible materials, as well as how fire could spread through a building via:

• Service penetrations
• Ceiling voids
• Compartmentation breaches
• Fire door defects

This stage forms the foundation of the entire assessment.

Step 2: Identify People at Risk

The next step is to identify who may be at risk if a fire occurs.

This includes:

• Employees
• Residents
• Visitors
• Contractors
• Vulnerable persons (e.g. elderly, disabled, young children)
• People working alone
• Night-time occupants

Particular attention must be given to:

• Sleeping accommodation
• High-occupancy buildings
• Premises with mobility-impaired occupants
• Complex layouts

This step ensures the assessment is focused on life safety.

Step 3: Evaluate, Remove, Reduce and Protect From Risk

This is the core analytical stage.

The assessor must evaluate:

• The likelihood of fire occurring
• The potential consequences
• Whether existing control measures are adequate

Many assessments also involve applying a qualitative risk judgement to determine whether existing measures reduce risk to an acceptable level.

Where risks are identified, they must be:

• Removed (e.g. eliminating ignition sources)
• Reduced (e.g. improved housekeeping)
• Controlled (e.g. fire detection systems, emergency lighting)
• Protected against (e.g. fire doors, compartmentation, escape routes)

Passive fire protection, including compliant fire doors and structural fire separation, plays a critical role at this stage.

The goal is to ensure risks are reduced so far as is reasonably practicable.

Step 4: Record Findings, Prepare an Emergency Plan and Provide Training

Under UK fire safety law, significant findings must be recorded where:

• The premises employ five or more people
• The premises are licensed
• The premises are subject to specific regulations (e.g. residential buildings)

The record should include:

• Identified hazards
• Persons at risk
• Control measures in place
• Actions required
• Responsible persons for actions
• Review date

An emergency plan must also be established, covering:

• Evacuation procedures
• Fire assembly points
• Roles and responsibilities
• Calling the fire and rescue service
• Staff training requirements

Documentation is essential to demonstrate compliance.

Step 5: Review and Update the Fire Risk Assessment

A fire risk assessment is not a one-off document.

It must be reviewed:

• Regularly
• After significant changes to the building
• After changes in occupancy
• Following a fire incident
• When legislation changes

The Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 have increased expectations around ongoing compliance and building safety management.

Failure to review and update assessments can result in enforcement action.

Why Are the 5 Steps Important?

The five-step methodology ensures that fire safety is approached systematically rather than reactively.

Without a structured process, hazards may be overlooked, vulnerable occupants may not be properly considered, and control measures may be incomplete.

Following the recognised five-stage approach helps Responsible Persons:

• Demonstrate compliance with UK fire safety law
• Identify gaps in fire protection systems
• Prioritise corrective actions
• Maintain ongoing compliance

This structure provides a defensible audit trail if enforcement action is ever taken.

Are the 5 Steps a Legal Requirement?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires Responsible Persons to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.

The five-step framework was originally promoted through guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and remains embedded within current UK government fire safety guidance.

While the legislation does not explicitly mandate “five steps”, this methodology is embedded within official guidance and widely recognised by enforcing authorities as best practice.

Using this structure ensures assessments are systematic, defensible, and compliant.

Who Is Responsible for Following the Five Steps?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person is legally required to carry out or appoint someone to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.

This may be:

• An employer
• A landlord
• A managing agent
• A building owner
• A person with control of the premises

Failure to do so can result in enforcement notices or prosecution.

Why Professional Competence Matters

Although some very small, low-risk premises may carry out their own assessment, many buildings require competent fire risk assessors with appropriate knowledge, experience, and understanding of:

• Building construction
• Fire dynamics
• Compartmentation
• Fire alarm design categories
• Emergency lighting standards
• Human behaviour in fire

Poorly completed assessments remain one of the most common enforcement findings in the UK.

Conclusion

The five steps of a fire risk assessment provide a clear and structured framework for managing fire safety in UK premises. When applied correctly, they ensure that hazards are identified, risks are properly evaluated, and suitable control measures are implemented to protect people and property.

However, simply following the five headings is not enough. A fire risk assessment must be suitable and sufficient, proportionate to the building, and carried out with a clear understanding of construction, occupancy, and fire protection systems.

For many organisations, particularly those managing commercial or residential buildings, appointing a competent fire risk assessor ensures the assessment is robust, defensible, and aligned with current legislation.

At Fire Risk Assessment Network, we carry out structured, legally compliant fire risk assessments across the UK using the recognised five-step methodology.

If you require a professional assessment or need your existing assessment reviewed, contact us today for a free quotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the five steps the same for every building?

Yes, the five-step structure remains consistent. However, the depth and complexity of each step will vary depending on the building type, occupancy, and level of risk. A small office will require a different level of analysis compared to a residential block or high-risk commercial premises.

What does “suitable and sufficient” mean in practice?

In practice, it means the assessment must properly identify hazards, consider all relevant people at risk, evaluate fire protection measures realistically, and produce clear actions where improvements are required. Generic or template-based assessments that do not reflect the actual premises may not meet this standard.

Do I legally have to follow the five-step format?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 does not prescribe a specific format. However, the five-step methodology is embedded within UK government guidance and is widely recognised by enforcing authorities as best practice.

How detailed should each step be?

The level of detail should be proportionate to the level of risk. Complex buildings with sleeping accommodation, vulnerable occupants, or large occupancy numbers require more detailed analysis than simple, low-risk premises.

What happens if a fire risk assessment is inadequate?

If enforcing authorities determine that an assessment is not suitable and sufficient, they may issue enforcement notices, prohibition notices, or prosecute the Responsible Person. Penalties can include unlimited fines and, in serious cases, imprisonment.