A fire risk assessment checklist can be a helpful way to understand what needs to be considered when assessing fire risk. However, under UK fire safety law, a checklist alone is not sufficient.
Fire risk assessments must be suitable and sufficient, reflect the premises, and be carried out by a competent person. A checklist is best used as a framework, not a replacement for a professional assessment.
This guide explains what a fire risk assessment checklist typically includes, how it aligns with legal requirements, and when a full professional fire risk assessment is required.
Contents
- 1 What Is a Fire Risk Assessment Checklist?
- 2 The Five-Step Fire Risk Assessment Checklist (UK Framework)
- 3 Why a Checklist Alone Is Not Enough
- 4 When a Checklist May Be Appropriate
- 5 When a Professional Fire Risk Assessment Is Required
- 6 Who Is Responsible for Using a Fire Risk Assessment Checklist?
- 7 Our Fire Risk Assessment Services
- 8 Conclusion
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
- 9.1 Is a fire risk assessment checklist a legal requirement?
- 9.2 Can I rely on a checklist instead of a fire risk assessment?
- 9.3 When is a fire risk assessment checklist appropriate?
- 9.4 What should a fire risk assessment checklist include?
- 9.5 Who is responsible if a checklist is incomplete or incorrect?
- 9.6 Do enforcing authorities accept checklists?
What Is a Fire Risk Assessment Checklist?
A fire risk assessment checklist is a structured list of considerations used to prompt review of fire hazards, people at risk, and fire safety measures within a building.
In practice, checklists are often based on the five-step fire risk assessment process used in UK guidance. They are intended to support understanding — not to remove legal responsibility.
A checklist does not determine compliance on its own. Enforcing authorities assess whether the resulting fire risk assessment is appropriate, proportionate, and acted upon.
The Five-Step Fire Risk Assessment Checklist (UK Framework)
1. Identify Fire Hazards
- Sources of ignition (electrical equipment, heating, cooking, hot works)
- Sources of fuel (furniture, waste, stored materials, flammable liquids)
- Sources of oxygen (natural ventilation, mechanical systems, oxygen cylinders)
2. Identify People at Risk
- Employees, residents, visitors, contractors
- People sleeping on the premises
- Vulnerable occupants (mobility, sensory, cognitive impairments)
- People unfamiliar with the building
3. Evaluate Risks and Existing Fire Safety Measures
- Means of escape and escape route protection
- Fire detection and alarm systems
- Emergency lighting
- Fire doors and compartmentation
- Fire-fighting equipment
- Signage and wayfinding
- Housekeeping and storage practices
- Fire safety management arrangements
4. Record Findings and Prepare an Emergency Plan
- Significant hazards and risks identified
- Existing control measures
- Required remedial actions
- Priority levels and timescales
- Fire emergency procedures and evacuation arrangements
- Arrangements for vulnerable occupants
5. Review and Update Regularly
- Assessment reviewed periodically
- Updated after building changes, incidents, or new risks
- Previous actions tracked and closed
- Ongoing suitability confirmed
Why a Checklist Alone Is Not Enough
A checklist cannot:
- Judge proportionality
- Assess real evacuation behaviour
- Evaluate complex layouts or compartmentation
- Account for how the building is actually used
- Replace competent professional judgement
Many enforcement actions arise where a completed checklist exists, but risks were not properly assessed or acted upon.
Enforcing authorities frequently cite inadequate fire risk assessments where checklists were completed but risks were not properly evaluated or acted upon.
When a Checklist May Be Appropriate
A checklist may support fire safety management where:
- Premises are small and low-risk
- The checklist is used as a prompt, not a final output
- A competent person reviews the findings
- The Responsible Person understands the limitations
Even in these cases, legal responsibility remains with the Responsible Person.
When a Professional Fire Risk Assessment Is Required
A full professional fire risk assessment is strongly advised where premises involve:
- Sleeping accommodation
- Multiple floors or complex layouts
- Vulnerable occupants
- Residential blocks or HMOs
- Mixed-use buildings
- High fire load or hazardous processes
In these cases, a checklist alone is unlikely to be suitable and sufficient.
If you are currently using a checklist and are unsure whether it is legally sufficient, a professional review can confirm compliance before enforcement action arises.
Who Is Responsible for Using a Fire Risk Assessment Checklist?
The Responsible Person remains legally responsible for:
- Ensuring risks are properly assessed
- Ensuring competence
- Acting on findings
- Keeping the assessment under review
Using a checklist does not transfer or reduce this responsibility.
Our Fire Risk Assessment Services
At Fire Risk Assessment Network, we carry out professional fire risk assessments that go beyond checklists.
Our assessments:
- Are suitable and sufficient
- Reflect real risks and building use
- Provide clear, prioritised actions
- Stand up to enforcement scrutiny
If you are unsure whether your current assessment or checklist is adequate, we can review or carry out a compliant fire risk assessment.
Conclusion
A fire risk assessment checklist can be a useful starting point, but it is not a substitute for a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.
Understanding what must be covered — and when professional competence is required — is essential for compliance and safety.
If you need reassurance that your fire risk assessment meets legal standards, contact Fire Risk Assessment Network today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a fire risk assessment checklist a legal requirement?
No. UK fire safety law does not require a fire risk assessment checklist. The legal requirement is for a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A checklist may be used as a prompt, but it does not replace a proper assessment.
Can I rely on a checklist instead of a fire risk assessment?
No. A checklist alone is unlikely to be considered suitable and sufficient. Enforcing authorities assess whether fire risks have been properly identified, evaluated, and managed. A completed checklist without competent judgement and follow-up action may still be non-compliant.
When is a fire risk assessment checklist appropriate?
A checklist may be useful for very low-risk, simple premises as a starting point or management aid. Even in these cases, the Responsible Person must ensure that the assessment reflects the premises and that any identified risks are properly addressed.
What should a fire risk assessment checklist include?
A checklist typically follows the five-step fire risk assessment process, covering fire hazards, people at risk, fire safety measures, emergency procedures, and review arrangements. However, the depth required depends on the building and its use.
Who is responsible if a checklist is incomplete or incorrect?
The Responsible Person remains legally responsible, regardless of whether a checklist, template, or third party is used. Responsibility cannot be delegated away, and enforcement action may still follow if risks are not properly managed.
Enforcing authorities focus on whether a fire risk assessment is suitable and sufficient, not the format used. A checklist may be acceptable only if it forms part of a competent, proportionate assessment that has been properly completed and acted upon.
