Fire Risk Assessments

A fire risk assessment is a structured, documented evaluation of fire hazards and risks within premises, required by Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The responsible person must ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out, recorded, and kept under regular review.

Apex Fire Engineering delivers fire risk assessments that go beyond checklist compliance. Every assessment is led by a senior practitioner with direct operational firefighting experience, providing findings that are technically robust, clearly communicated, and proportionate to the specific building and its occupancy.

• Type 1 — Common Areas Only: Non-destructive assessment of communal areas, escape routes, and fire safety management. Suitable for lower-risk residential premises with simple layouts.
• Type 2 — Common Areas with Sampling of Flats: Extends the Type 1 assessment with a representative sample of individual dwellings to assess internal fire safety provisions.
• Type 3 — Common Areas with Destructive Testing: Includes intrusive inspection of fire-separating elements (compartment walls, floors, service penetrations) where there is reason to believe the passive fire protection may be deficient. Where significant breaches are suspected, a dedicated compartmentation survey may be recommended.
• Type 4 — Comprehensive (Common Areas and Flats, Destructive): The most thorough assessment, combining sampling of dwellings with intrusive inspection of fire compartmentation and passive fire protection. Often commissioned alongside fire door surveys for a complete picture of passive fire protection.

The RRO 2005 requires all non-domestic premises, including the common parts of residential buildings, to have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Assessments should be reviewed regularly, and in any event following any material change to the building, its use, or its occupancy — or following a fire or significant near miss.

• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
• Fire Safety Act 2021
• Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
• PAS 79-1:2020 (residential) / PAS 79-2:2020 (non-residential)

Every fire risk assessment from Apex includes a clearly structured written report setting out the findings of the assessment, a prioritised action plan with recommended timescales, photographic evidence of significant findings, and an executive summary suitable for board or committee reporting. Reports are issued in both PDF and editable formats where required for client management systems.

Do I need a fire risk assessment?

Yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all non-domestic premises and the common parts of residential buildings must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. The responsible person for the premises is legally obligated to ensure one is carried out and kept up to date. If you are unsure whether your building requires an assessment, contact Apex for a no-obligation consultation.

How often should fire risk assessments be reviewed?

PAS 79-1:2020 recommends that fire risk assessments are reviewed regularly, and most guidance suggests an annual review as good practice. However, a review must also be carried out following any material change to the building, its layout, use, or occupancy, or after a fire or significant near miss. Apex can set up a scheduled review programme tailored to your building portfolio.

What is a Type 4 fire risk assessment?

A Type 4 fire risk assessment is the most comprehensive level of assessment, combining inspection of common areas and a sample of individual dwellings with intrusive (destructive) investigation of fire-separating elements such as compartment walls, floors, and service penetrations. It is typically recommended where there are known or suspected deficiencies in passive fire protection. Apex senior engineers carry out Type 4 assessments with full photographic and technical reporting.

Who is a responsible person for fire safety?

Under the RRO 2005, the responsible person is the employer, owner, landlord, managing agent, or any other person who has control of the premises or a degree of control over certain areas. In residential buildings, this is typically the freeholder, management company, or local authority. The responsible person holds the legal duty to carry out and act upon the fire risk assessment.

What does a fire risk assessment involve?

A fire risk assessment involves identifying fire hazards, evaluating the people at risk, assessing existing fire safety measures, recording findings with a prioritised action plan, and setting a review date. Apex assessments follow PAS 79-1:2020 methodology and are carried out by senior practitioners with operational firefighting experience, ensuring findings are both technically robust and practically actionable.