One of the most frequent questions we receive from responsible persons is how often a fire risk assessment needs to be reviewed. It is an understandable question: the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that the fire risk assessment is "reviewed regularly" and updated when it is no longer valid, but it does not specify what "regularly" means. This article sets out a practical framework for determining the right review frequency for your premises.
What the Law Actually Says
Article 9(3) of the RRO states that the responsible person must review the fire risk assessment "regularly" and "where there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid" or where there has been "a significant change in the matters to which it relates." This formulation deliberately avoids prescribing a fixed interval because the appropriate frequency depends on the nature of the premises, the level of risk, and the rate at which circumstances change.
The 2026 amendments have not changed this fundamental approach, though the accompanying guidance has been updated to provide clearer examples of what constitutes a significant change. Critically, the amendments have also removed the exemption for smaller premises from the requirement to maintain a written risk assessment — all responsible persons must now document their assessment and demonstrate that it is current.
Annual Review as a Baseline
In the absence of a statutory interval, annual review has become the accepted standard practice for most premises. This is reflected in guidance from the Fire and Rescue Service, insurers, and professional bodies, and it provides a defensible basis for responsible persons to demonstrate that they are taking their obligations seriously.
For lower-risk premises — a small, single-occupancy office with stable use and no significant hazards — an annual review may consist of a documented check that the assessment remains valid, rather than a full reassessment. The review should confirm that no material changes have occurred, that the fire safety arrangements are still in place, and that any previously identified actions have been completed.
Trigger Events That Require Immediate Review
Regardless of the scheduled review cycle, certain events should trigger an immediate reassessment. The responsible person must not wait for the next annual review if any of the following occur:
- Physical changes to the premises: structural alterations, refurbishments, extensions, or the installation of new services that affect compartmentation, escape routes, or the fire detection and alarm system
- Changes in use or occupancy: a change in the activities carried out in the premises, a significant increase or decrease in the number of occupants, or a change in the vulnerability profile of occupants (for example, a tenant taking occupation who works with flammable materials)
- A fire, near-miss, or enforcement action: any fire — however minor — or any enforcement notice from the Fire and Rescue Service should prompt a review of the assessment to understand whether it identified the relevant hazard and whether the existing controls failed
- Change of responsible person: where the responsible person changes — through a sale, lease assignment, or management change — the incoming responsible person should commission a review to satisfy themselves that the assessment is adequate
- New information about hazards or risks: updated guidance, new evidence about the fire performance of building materials, or information from the Building Safety Regulator may require the assessment to be reconsidered
"An annual review is a minimum, not a target. For high-risk or complex premises, the assessment should be a living document — updated whenever circumstances change, not retrieved from a file once a year."
Review Frequencies by Building Type
The appropriate review frequency should be calibrated to the risk profile of the premises. As a general guide:
- Higher-risk buildings (HRBs) and complex premises: annual full review is the minimum; six-monthly reviews are appropriate for high-occupancy or high-hazard premises where changes are frequent
- Purpose-built multi-occupancy residential: annual full review of communal areas and building fabric, with a mechanism for individual responsible persons to notify changes within their demise
- Commercial offices and retail: annual review, with documented interim checks following any works or changes in occupancy
- Low-risk single-occupancy premises: annual validation review, with a full reassessment every three to five years or on any material change
- Premises with a history of non-compliance or enforcement: more frequent review may be required as a condition of compliance or at the recommendation of the Fire and Rescue Service
What a Good Review Looks Like
A review is only meaningful if it is genuinely critical rather than a rubber-stamp exercise. A competent reviewer should physically inspect the premises, not simply re-read the previous assessment. They should check that the hazards and risks identified previously are still accurately described, that the protective measures are still in place and functioning, and that any new hazards or changes have been identified and assessed.
The outcome of the review should be documented — either confirming that the assessment remains valid or updating it to reflect current conditions. Where actions are identified, a prioritised action plan with assigned responsibilities and timescales should be produced. If the assessment has been reviewed by a different assessor than the original, their competence should be comparable to the tier of building complexity.