Fire Risk Assessments and Building Safety Case Reports

For Responsible Persons and Accountable Persons overseeing higher-risk residential buildings — including housing associations, managing agents, freeholders and local authorities — understanding how Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) and Building Safety Case Reports work together is essential.

Under the Building Safety Act 2022, higher-risk residential buildings must demonstrate that building safety risks are identified, assessed and controlled through a structured Safety Case. The Accountable Person (and, where applicable, the Principal Accountable Person) must be able to evidence effective risk management and ongoing governance oversight.

A suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment forms a core part of that evidence base.

At Fire Risk Assessment Network, we provide structured, regulator-ready Fire Risk Assessments designed specifically for residential and higher-risk buildings. Our assessments support Safety Case reporting, evacuation compliance and defensible documentation aligned with Building Safety Act requirements.

What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A Fire Risk Assessment is a systematic evaluation of a building to identify fire hazards and risks to relevant persons. It must:

• Identify fire hazards and who is at risk
• Evaluate the adequacy of existing controls
• Recommend additional measures where necessary
• Provide a clear programme for review and remedial action

In the UK, FRAs are required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and must be “suitable and sufficient” for the building type, occupancy and risk profile.

What Is a Building Safety Case Report?

A Safety Case Report is a structured explanation required for higher-risk buildings — typically those at least 18 metres in height or 7 or more storeys, containing at least two residential units. Further guidance on the definition of higher-risk buildings and the registration regime is available from the UK Government.

The Safety Case Report forms part of the broader Safety Case submitted to the Building Safety Regulator and must demonstrate how building safety risks are identified, assessed and controlled.

In this context, “building safety risks” refer to the risk of the spread of fire and smoke, and the risk of structural failure. The Safety Case Report explains how these risks are being managed and kept under review.

Specifically, it should set out:

• How building safety risks are identified
• The systems and control measures in place to manage those risks
• How risks are monitored, reviewed and reassessed
• Evidence that controls are effective and maintained over time

The Safety Case is a governance-level document that relies on structured technical evidence — including the Fire Risk Assessment — to substantiate its conclusions.

The report must also be available for submission to the regulator when requested, as part of ongoing regulatory assessment and oversight of higher-risk buildings.

Safety Case Reports Are Evidence-Based

A Safety Case Report is not simply a descriptive summary. It is intended to demonstrate, through clear and documented evidence, that the duty holder has taken reasonable and proportionate steps to identify hazards, assess risk, implement appropriate controls and maintain those controls through effective management and review arrangements.

Key Differences Between an FRA and a Safety Case

How Fire Risk Assessments Support Safety Case Reports

Fire Risk Assessments are a core element of evidence within a Safety Case. Without a robust FRA, the Safety Case cannot demonstrate that fire risks are being properly identified, assessed or controlled. Specifically, FRAs provide evidence of:

1. Identification of Fire Hazards

A thorough FRA identifies ignition sources, fuel loads, and areas of risk — material to the Safety Case narrative on risk profiling.

2. Evaluation of Control Measures

Effective compartmentation, alarm systems, escape routes and other controls documented in an FRA directly support the Safety Case’s argument that fire safety systems are effective.

3. Management and Review Arrangements

A structured FRA demonstrates that inspection cycles, remedial action tracking and review mechanisms exist — critical to satisfying the Building Safety Regulator that safety is actively managed.

4. Linkages to Evacuation Planning

Where evacuation strategies or Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are required — including under the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations, the FRA provides context on life safety outcomes.

In practice, the FRA should be referenced within the Safety Case and aligned with other technical documents such as structural fire strategies, external wall assessments (FRAEW where applicable) and evacuation planning evidence.

What the Regulator Expects

The Building Safety Regulator looks for documentation that:

• Clearly identifies and analyses risk
• Provides evidence-based justification of controls
• Demonstrates effective risk management governance
• Shows that remedial actions are completed and recorded
• Is updated and reviewed according to risk and change

A weak or outdated FRA weakens the entire Safety Case by leaving gaps in the evidence chain.

What Evidence Should Support a Safety Case Report?

A strong Safety Case Report is supported by an organised evidence set, typically including:

• A current, suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment (common parts and relevant systems)
• Fire strategy information and evacuation arrangements (stay put / simultaneous evacuation)
• Compartmentation and fire door inspection evidence, where relevant
• External wall assessment information (e.g., FRAEW/PAS 9980 where applicable)
• Records of testing and maintenance (alarms, emergency lighting, smoke control, sprinklers where fitted)
• Remedial action logs showing what was identified, prioritised, completed and verified
• Governance and review records (who reviewed, when, and what changed)

Regulator Guidance and Ongoing Review

The Building Safety Regulator expects duty holders to demonstrate not only that risks are identified, but that control measures are monitored, reviewed and improved over time. Published guidance from the regulator and the Health and Safety Executive emphasises structured governance, clear accountability and evidence-based documentation.

For higher-risk residential buildings, Fire Risk Assessments should therefore be detailed, building-specific and capable of supporting scrutiny under the Building Safety Act regime.
In practice, your Safety Case evidence should be revisited whenever:

• there are significant building works or material alterations
• new risks are identified (for example, from inspections, incidents or resident reports)
• your Fire Risk Assessment is revised or significant actions are raised/closed

Common Weaknesses That Undermine Compliance

Even well-intentioned FRAs often fail to support a Safety Case adequately when they:

• Use generic wording not specific to high-risk residential buildings
• Do not reference evacuation strategies or resident vulnerabilities
• Lack a clear audit trail for remedial actions
• Fail to integrate compartmentation findings with strategic safety documentation
• Are not clearly versioned, dated or governance-reviewed

Addressing these weaknesses improves both the FRA and the Safety Case position.

How Professional FRA Services Add Value

Our fire risk assessment services are designed for compliance contexts, including:

• HRB-Focused Fire Risk Assessments: Structured, detailed FRAs that reflect the complexity of higher-risk residential buildings.
• Integration with Safety Case Reporting: FRA reports tailored for inclusion in Safety Cases, with clear cross-referencing and evidence mapping.
• Evacuation Compliance Review: Linking resident evacuation planning into the fire risk assessment to support Building Safety Act duties.
• Remedial Action Tracking: Clear audit trails, prioritised recommendations and review mechanisms.
• Governance-Ready Documentation: Documentation formatted to support board-level oversight and regulator review.

Whether you require a standalone FRA or a broader compliance package, we can advise on how to align your fire safety documentation with regulatory expectations and audit scrutiny.

Conclusion

Fire Risk Assessments and Building Safety Case Reports are distinct but deeply interconnected. The FRA forms the technical evidence that supports the Safety Case narrative required under the Building Safety Act. Together, they demonstrate to regulators that fire safety risks in higher-risk residential buildings are understood and effectively managed.

By ensuring your FRA is robust, specific and integrated into your wider compliance framework, you reduce regulatory risk, strengthen safety outcomes and position your organisation as a diligent duty holder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are ‘building safety risks’ in a Safety Case Report?

Building safety risks for higher-risk residential buildings refer to the risk of spread of fire and smoke, and the risk of structural failure. A Safety Case Report explains how those risks are being identified, controlled and kept under review.

Do I need both a Fire Risk Assessment and a Building Safety Case Report?

Yes. A Fire Risk Assessment is required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and applies to most non-domestic premises and the common parts of residential buildings.

A Building Safety Case Report is required for higher-risk residential buildings under the Building Safety Act 2022 and forms part of the regulatory regime overseen by the Building Safety Regulator.

They serve different purposes, but the Fire Risk Assessment forms part of the technical evidence that supports the Safety Case.

How does a Fire Risk Assessment support a Building Safety Case?

The Fire Risk Assessment provides evidence that fire hazards have been identified, evaluated and controlled. It documents compartmentation, evacuation arrangements, fire protection systems and management controls.

This evidence supports the Safety Case narrative by demonstrating that fire safety risks are understood and actively managed.

Without a suitable and sufficient FRA, it is difficult to demonstrate that building safety risks are being effectively controlled.

Do all residential buildings require a Safety Case Report?

No. Safety Case Reports are required for higher-risk buildings — generally those that are 18 metres or more in height, or 7 or more storeys, containing at least two residential units.

Lower-rise residential buildings still require a Fire Risk Assessment but may not fall under the higher-risk building regime.

How often should a Fire Risk Assessment be reviewed for Safety Case purposes?

A Fire Risk Assessment must be kept under review and updated:

• After significant alterations
• Following a fire incident
• When occupancy changes
• When significant deficiencies are identified

For higher-risk buildings, regular review is especially important because the FRA supports the ongoing validity of the Safety Case.

What happens if my Fire Risk Assessment is inadequate?

An inadequate Fire Risk Assessment can:

• Undermine your Safety Case
• Trigger enforcement action
• Increase liability exposure
• Delay regulatory approval or scrutiny processes

Engaging competent fire risk assessors with experience in higher-risk residential buildings helps ensure your documentation is robust, defensible and regulator-ready.

Can you provide Fire Risk Assessments aligned with Building Safety Act requirements?

Yes. We provide structured Fire Risk Assessments designed to support Building Safety Case reporting, evacuation compliance and governance oversight for higher-risk residential buildings and residential portfolios. Contact us to discuss your building or portfolio requirements.