PAS 79 is the recognised British Standard methodology for carrying out and recording fire risk assessments in the UK. It provides a structured, risk-based approach to assessing fire hazards and recording significant findings, helping Responsible Persons and duty holders demonstrate compliance with UK fire safety law.
In 2020, PAS 79 was updated to reflect the different risk profiles of housing and non-housing premises. The withdrawn PAS 79:2012 document was replaced by PAS 79-1:2020 and PAS 79-2:2020, giving clearer, more focused guidance for how fire risk assessments should be completed and documented in the UK.
- PAS 79-1:2020 applies to premises other than housing, including offices, retail, education, healthcare and industrial buildings.
- PAS 79-2:2020 applied specifically to housing, including blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Update – Housing Standard (BS 9792:2025): While PAS 79-2:2020 previously provided guidance for housing fire risk assessments, it has since been withdrawn and superseded by the British Standard BS 9792:2025 – Fire Risk Assessment: Housing. BS 9792:2025 is now the current UK code of practice for residential fire risk assessments, providing a structured framework across housing types, including HMOs and blocks of flats.
If you are searching for a “PAS 79 fire risk assessment”, you are typically looking for a PAS 79-compliant fire risk assessment in the UK, completed by a competent assessor using the correct current standard for your type of premises.
Contents
- 1 What Is a PAS 79 Fire Risk Assessment?
- 2 PAS 79:2012 vs PAS 79:2020 – What Changed?
- 3
- 4 The PAS 79 Risk Assessment Methodology
- 5 PAS 79 Reporting and Documentation
- 6 PAS 79 and FRAPT – How They Fit Together
- 7 PAS 79-Compliant Fire Risk Assessments in the UK
- 8 Our Experience With PAS 79 Fire Risk Assessments
- 9 PAS 79-Compliant vs Generic Fire Risk
- 10 Assessments
- 11 When a Generic Fire Risk Assessment May Not Be Enough
- 12 PAS 79 Fire Risk Assessments in the UK – What to Do Next
- 13 Frequently Asked Questions About PAS 79 Fire Risk Assessments
- 13.1 Is PAS 79 a legal requirement in the UK?
- 13.2 What is PAS 79-1:2020?
- 13.3 Is PAS 79-2:2020 still current for housing?
- 13.4 What is BS 9792:2025?
- 13.5 Do I need a PAS 79-compliant fire risk assessment?
- 13.6 Is there a PAS 79 certification for fire risk assessments?
- 13.7 How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
- 13.8 Does FRAPT replace a fire risk assessment?
- 13.9 Who is responsible for ensuring the correct standard is used?
What Is a PAS 79 Fire Risk Assessment?
A PAS 79 fire risk assessment is a qualitative assessment of fire risk, carried out using a structured and recognised methodology. It focuses on:
- Identifying fire hazards
- Identifying people at risk
- Evaluating existing fire precautions
- Assessing the likelihood and consequences of fire
- Producing a clear, prioritised action plan
- Recording significant findings in a consistent, auditable format
PAS 79 is widely used by competent fire risk assessors and duty holders because it provides a robust and defensible framework for meeting obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
PAS 79:2012 vs PAS 79:2020 – What Changed?
Many older articles still refer to PAS 79:2012, which has now been withdrawn.
The current standards are:
PAS 79-1:2020 – Non-Housing Premises
Applies to premises such as:
- Offices
- Shops and retail units
- Schools and colleges
- Hospitals and healthcare buildings
- Hotels and leisure premises
- Warehouses and industrial buildings
- Care homes (where not classed as housing)
PAS 79-2:2020 – Housing
PAS 79-2:2020 applied to fire risk assessments for housing, including:
The standard included additional considerations specific to residential risk profiles and aligned with sector-specific housing guidance.
PAS 79-2:2020 has since been withdrawn and replaced by the newer British Standard BS 9792:2025, which now provides the current framework and guidance for housing fire risk assessments in the UK. Where residential premises are concerned, assessments should now be completed in line with BS 9792:2025, rather than PAS 79-2.
If a fire risk assessment is still being described simply as “PAS 79” without reference to Part 1 or Part 2, it may indicate outdated framing.
The PAS 79 Risk Assessment Methodology
PAS 79 sets out a structured evaluation process that examines both the likelihood of fire and the potential consequences if a fire occurs.
While the wording differs slightly between Parts 1 and 2, the core assessment process includes:
- Gathering information about the building, its use, occupants, and processes
- Identifying fire hazards and ignition sources
- Identifying people at risk
Evaluating existing fire prevention and protection measures - Assessing fire safety management arrangements
- Considering the likely consequences of fire
Determining the overall level of fire risk - Producing and recording a clear action plan
- Setting review periods for the fire risk assessment
The outcome is a structured report, not a simple checklist, supported by evidence and professional judgement.
PAS 79 Reporting and Documentation
PAS 79 includes a recommended format for recording significant findings, designed to be:
- Clear and consistent
- Easy for duty holders to understand
- Suitable for audit, enforcement, or review
- Supported by a prioritised action plan
The reporting format is widely recognised by fire authorities and enforcement bodies as an appropriate method of documenting fire risk assessment findings, provided the assessment itself is suitable and sufficient.
PAS 79 and FRAPT – How They Fit Together
The Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool (FRAPT) was introduced following the Fire Safety Act 2021. Its purpose is to help Responsible Persons prioritise which buildings should have their fire risk assessments reviewed first, particularly where portfolios include multiple premises.
It is important to understand that:
- FRAPT does not replace a fire risk assessment
- PAS 79 remains the methodology used to carry out and record the assessment
- FRAPT supports decision-making on review order and urgency
Used together, PAS 79 and FRAPT help duty holders manage fire risk more effectively across estates or portfolios.
PAS 79-Compliant Fire Risk Assessments in the UK
A PAS 79-compliant fire risk assessment should:
- Reference the correct standard (PAS 79-1 or PAS 79-2)
- Be completed by a competent assessor
- Reflect the building’s actual use and risk profile
- Include a clear, prioritised action plan
- Be reviewed at appropriate intervals
Our Experience With PAS 79 Fire Risk Assessments
At Fire Risk Assessment Network, we regularly complete and review PAS 79-compliant fire risk assessments across the UK, covering both PAS 79-1:2020 and PAS 79-2:2020 premises.
In practice, we see many assessments described as “PAS 79” that:
- still follow withdrawn 2012 formats
- rely on generic checklists rather than risk-based judgement
- fail to clearly justify risk ratings or prioritisation
We use PAS 79 as a structured framework, not a tick-box exercise. Our approach focuses on:
- applying the correct PAS 79 part for the premises type
- documenting clear, evidence-based findings
- producing action plans that are realistic, prioritised, and defensible
- supporting Responsible Persons with review planning, including FRAPT context where relevant
From offices and retail premises to blocks of flats and HMOs, our experience is that PAS 79 remains a robust methodology when applied correctly, by competent assessors, and kept aligned with current UK fire safety legislation.
PAS 79-Compliant vs Generic Fire Risk
Assessments
Not all fire risk assessments are carried out in the same way. While many assessments may meet basic legal requirements, a PAS 79-compliant fire risk assessment follows a recognised British Standard methodology, offering greater structure, clarity, and long-term value—particularly where buildings are higher risk or subject to external scrutiny
| Feature | PAS 79-Compliant Fire Risk Assessment | Generic Fire Risk Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment framework | Follows a recognised British Standard methodology (PAS 79-1 or PAS 79-2) | Typically based on internal templates or basic checklists |
| Structure and consistency | Clear, structured and repeatable format suitable for review and audit | Format and depth can vary significantly between assessors |
| Recording of findings | Significant findings clearly documented with supporting rationale | Findings may be brief or lack clear justification |
| Action planning | Risk-based, prioritised action plan aligned to PAS 79 guidance | Actions may be generic or not clearly prioritised |
| Housing vs non-housing | Correct PAS 79 part applied to the type of premises | Same approach often used regardless of building type |
| Defensibility | Easier to demonstrate a suitable and sufficient assessment if challenged | May be harder to defend under enforcement or audit |
| Long-term value | Supports ongoing review, portfolio management and FRAPT prioritisation | Often treated as a one-off document |
Important clarification
A PAS 79-compliant fire risk assessment does not guarantee compliance on its own. However, it provides a recognised and defensible framework for assessing fire risk and recording decisions in line with UK fire safety expectations, particularly where assessments may be reviewed, audited or scrutinised.
When a Generic Fire Risk Assessment May Not Be Enough
While generic fire risk assessments may be suitable for some low-risk premises, a PAS 79-compliant approach is often more appropriate where:
- You manage multiple buildings or sites
- The premises are higher risk or more complex
- The building is residential, such as a block of flats or HMO
- There is external scrutiny from enforcing authorities, insurers or clients
- The fire risk assessment is being reviewed or reprioritised following legislative change
- Clear, defensible documentation is required for Responsible Person accountability
In these situations, the structured methodology and documentation framework set out in PAS 79 can provide greater confidence that fire risks have been properly considered and recorded.
PAS 79 Fire Risk Assessments in the UK – What to Do Next
PAS 79 remains the recognised framework for carrying out and recording fire risk assessments in the UK, provided the correct current standard is applied. Since 2020, this means using PAS 79-1:2020 for non-housing premises and PAS 79-2:2020 for housing, with the assessment reflecting the actual risk profile and use of the building.
In our experience, many issues arise not from PAS 79 itself, but from it being applied inconsistently or using outdated formats. We regularly support Responsible Persons who are unsure which PAS 79 part applies, or who need confidence that their existing fire risk assessment remains suitable, sufficient, and defensible.
If you need a PAS 79-compliant fire risk assessment in the UK, or advice on reviewing or prioritising assessments across one or more premises, professional guidance can help ensure the right approach is taken from the outset.
Frequently Asked Questions About PAS 79 Fire Risk Assessments
Is PAS 79 a legal requirement in the UK?
Using a PAS 79-compliant approach helps demonstrate that a fire risk assessment is suitable and sufficient for the purposes of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
What is PAS 79-1:2020?
PAS 79-1:2020 is the current standard for fire risk assessments in premises other than housing. It applies to buildings such as offices, retail premises, schools, healthcare buildings, care homes (where not classed as housing), and industrial or commercial premises.
Is PAS 79-2:2020 still current for housing?
No. PAS 79-2:2020 has been withdrawn and replaced by the British Standard BS 9792:2025, which now provides the current guidance for housing fire risk assessments in the UK
What is BS 9792:2025?
BS 9792:2025 is the current British Standard that provides a framework and guidance for fire risk assessments in housing. It replaces PAS 79-2:2020 and reflects updated expectations for assessing fire risk in residential premises.
Do I need a PAS 79-compliant fire risk assessment?
For non-housing premises, a PAS 79-1:2020-compliant fire risk assessment is widely accepted as a robust and defensible approach. For housing, assessments should now be carried out in line with BS 9792:2025, rather than PAS 79-2.
Is there a PAS 79 certification for fire risk assessments?
No. There is no formal PAS 79 certification for fire risk assessments. What matters is that the assessment follows the appropriate current standard and is completed by a competent fire risk assessor with suitable knowledge and experience.
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
Fire risk assessments should be reviewed regularly and:
- When there are significant changes to the building, occupancy or use
- Following a fire, near miss or enforcement action
- Where recommended by prioritisation tools such as FRAPT
- At intervals proportionate to the level of fire risk
Does FRAPT replace a fire risk assessment?
No. The Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool (FRAPT) does not replace a fire risk assessment. It helps Responsible Persons prioritise which buildings require review first, while the fire risk assessment itself is still carried out using the appropriate standard (PAS 79-1 or BS 9792).
Who is responsible for ensuring the correct standard is used?
The Responsible Person or duty holder is responsible for ensuring that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is in place and that the correct current standard is applied for the type of premises being assessed.
