Can you complete a fire risk assessment yourself?

In some cases, yes. If the premises is simple, low-risk and you understand the fire hazards, escape routes, occupants and basic fire precautions, it may be reasonable to complete a fire risk assessment yourself.

For example, a guided self-assessment may be suitable for a small office, shop, salon, studio or other straightforward workplace where the layout is simple and there are no unusual fire risks.

However, if the premises is complex, higher-risk, or outside your own knowledge, you should use a competent professional fire risk assessor.

If your premises is simple and low-risk, you can use our online fire risk assessment tool to create a structured fire risk assessment record.

Who is responsible for the fire risk assessment?

Fire safety duties usually sit with the responsible person. This may be an employer, business owner, landlord, managing agent, building owner, occupier or another person with control of the premises.

GOV.UK explains that the responsible person must carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment. If you do not have the expertise or time to do it yourself, you need to appoint a competent person to help, such as a professional risk assessor. Read the GOV.UK fire risk assessment guidance.

Even if you appoint someone else, you still need to make sure the assessment is suitable and that any actions are followed up.

When should you use a professional fire risk assessor?

You should use a professional fire risk assessor when the level of risk, complexity of the building, type of occupants, or your own level of confidence means a simple self-assessment may not be enough.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to appoint competent assistance where needed for preventive and protective measures. See Article 18 of the Fire Safety Order.

1. The premises has sleeping accommodation

Sleeping accommodation usually makes fire risk more serious because people may be asleep if a fire starts. In these cases, a professional fire risk assessor is usually the safer choice.

Examples include:

• Hotels and guest houses
• Hostels
• HMOs
• Care or supported living settings
• Sleeping accommodation above commercial premises
• Staff sleeping areas

Sleeping risk affects fire alarms, escape routes, compartmentation, fire doors, emergency lighting and management procedures. A basic online self-assessment is not usually suitable for this type of premises.

2. The building is large, multi-storey or complex

The more complex the building, the more judgement is needed. A professional assessor should be used where the layout is difficult to understand or escape routes are not straightforward.

Examples include:

• Large multi-storey premises
• Buildings with several escape routes
• Basements or mezzanine floors
• Shared or mixed-use premises
• Buildings with complex corridors or staircases
• Buildings where people could become trapped or confused during escape

3. Vulnerable people use the premises

Fire risk is not only about the building. It is also about who uses it and how easily they can escape.

You should consider a professional assessor where the premises is used by:

• Elderly people
• Disabled people
• Young children
• People with reduced mobility
• People receiving care or treatment
• Large numbers of members of the public
• People unfamiliar with the building

4. There are specialist fire safety systems

If the premises relies on specialist or engineered fire safety systems, you should usually use a professional assessor.

Examples include:

• Smoke control systems
• Sprinklers or suppression systems
• Fire curtains or shutters
• Complex fire alarm systems
• Evacuation lifts
• Pressurised staircases
• Fire engineered escape strategies

If you do not understand how these systems work or what records are needed, get competent help.

5. There are higher fire hazards

Some premises have higher fire risks because of the work carried out, the materials stored, or the equipment used.

Use a professional assessor if the premises involves:

• Flammable liquids
• Gas cylinders
• Welding or hot works
• Spray painting
• Commercial cooking
• Industrial processes
• Battery charging areas
• Chemicals or dangerous substances
• Large quantities of combustible storage

6. Escape routes are not straightforward

Escape routes are one of the most important parts of a fire risk assessment. If people may not be able to escape quickly and safely, do not rely on guesswork.

Professional advice is sensible if:

• There is only one escape route
• Escape routes pass through other rooms
• There are inner rooms
• Exit doors are locked or controlled
• Travel distances seem long
• Fire doors are missing, damaged or uncertain
• Emergency lighting is missing or unreliable
• Stairs, corridors or exits are shared or complicated

7. There are cladding, external wall or compartmentation concerns

Some fire safety issues are specialist and should not be assessed using a simple guided form.

Get professional advice if there are concerns about:

• External wall systems
• Cladding
• Fire stopping
• Compartmentation
• Service risers
• Flat entrance doors
• Communal corridors or shared staircases

8. You have had enforcement, insurer or landlord concerns

If a third party has raised fire safety concerns, a professional assessment may be needed.

Examples include:

• A fire authority inspection
• An enforcement notice or alteration notice
• An insurer requirement
• A landlord or managing agent requirement
• A client or contractor requirement
• A failed audit
• Known fire safety defects

9. You are not confident making the judgement

This is the simplest rule. If you are not confident that you can identify the hazards, assess the risks, judge the precautions and record sensible actions, use a professional fire risk assessor.

For simple premises, competence may be straightforward. For complex premises, competence may require specialist knowledge of fire alarms, escape routes, emergency lighting, fire doors, compartmentation, smoke control, fire stopping and management procedures.

When is an online fire risk assessment suitable?

An online guided fire risk assessment is most suitable where the premises is simple, low-risk and the person completing it understands the building.

It can help you:

• Record fire hazards
• Review escape routes
• Check basic fire precautions
• Identify obvious issues
• Create an action plan
• Keep a structured fire safety record
• Review the assessment later

It is not a replacement for professional advice where the premises is complex, high-risk or outside your competence.

If your premises is simple and low-risk, you can start an online fire risk assessment here.

Quick checklist: self-assessment or professional assessor?

A guided self-assessment may be suitable if:

• The premises is small and simple
• There is no sleeping accommodation
• Escape routes are straightforward
• Fire risks are low
• There are no specialist fire safety systems
• Occupants can escape easily
• You understand the premises
• You are confident recording findings and actions

Use a professional fire risk assessor if:

• The premises has sleeping accommodation
• The building is large, complex or multi-storey
• Vulnerable people use the premises
• Escape routes are complicated
• Fire doors, alarms or emergency lighting are uncertain
• There are dangerous substances or higher fire hazards
• There are specialist fire safety systems
• There are cladding, compartmentation or fire-stopping concerns
• A fire authority, insurer, landlord or client has raised concerns
• You are not confident completing the assessment yourself

Final advice

A fire risk assessment is not just a form-filling exercise. It is a judgement about whether people can escape safely if a fire starts.

For a simple, low-risk premises, a guided online assessment can be a practical way to create a structured record. For anything complex, specialist or uncertain, use a competent professional fire risk assessor.

The key is to choose the right level of assessment for the risk.

Frequently asked questions

Do I legally need a professional fire risk assessor?

Not always. The responsible person must make sure a suitable fire risk assessment is carried out. For simple premises, this may be done by someone with enough knowledge of the premises and basic fire safety. For complex or higher-risk premises, a competent professional is usually the safer choice.

Can I do my own fire risk assessment for a small business?

Yes, if the premises is simple, low-risk and you are competent to identify hazards, check escape routes, review precautions and record actions. If you are unsure, use a professional assessor.

Is an online fire risk assessment accepted by insurers or landlords?

It depends on the premises and the third party’s requirements. A guided online assessment may be suitable for simple, low-risk premises, but insurers, landlords, managing agents or enforcing authorities may require a professional assessment in some cases.

What happens if I use the wrong type of assessment?

If the assessment is not suitable for the premises, the responsible person may still face enforcement, insurance problems or safety risks. If in doubt, get professional advice.

What should I do if my premises is not low risk?

Use a competent fire risk assessor. A simple guided tool should not be used for complex, high-risk or specialist premises.