Who Is Responsible for a Fire Risk Assessment?
Updated: 3 days ago
Understanding Fire Risk Assessment Responsibilities
Fire safety in buildings is not optional. UK law requires that fire risks are properly assessed and managed wherever people work, live or visit.
A fire risk assessment is the process used to identify potential fire hazards within a building and evaluate the measures in place to keep occupants safe. It looks at how likely a fire is to occur, who could be affected, and whether the building’s fire precautions are suitable.
But before any assessment takes place, an important question needs to be answered:
Who is responsible for making sure the fire risk assessment is done?
The answer sits clearly within UK fire safety legislation.
TL:DR
The person legally responsible for a fire risk assessment in the UK is known as the Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This is usually the employer, building owner, landlord, managing agent, or anyone who has control over the premises.
The Responsible Person must ensure a fire risk assessment (FRA) is carried out and kept up to date. While the law allows them to complete the assessment themselves if they are competent, many choose to appoint a professional assessor to ensure the fire safety risk assessment is thorough, compliant, and properly documented.
The Legal Framework: The Fire Safety Order
The main law governing fire safety in England and Wales is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
This legislation places the responsibility for fire safety on a specific individual or organisation referred to as the Responsible Person.
The Responsible Person must ensure that:
A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment (FRA) is carried out
Fire hazards are identified and reduced where possible
Fire safety measures are in place and maintained
Emergency procedures are established
Fire safety information is provided to occupants where necessary
The fire risk assessment forms the foundation of this entire process. Without a proper fire safety risk assessment, it becomes extremely difficult to demonstrate that a building is being managed safely.
Who Qualifies as the Responsible Person?
The Responsible Person is usually the individual or organisation that has control over the building or premises.
Depending on the type of property, this could include:
Employers
In workplaces such as offices, shops, restaurants, and warehouses, the employer is normally the Responsible Person. They must ensure the workplace is safe for staff, visitors, and contractors.
Landlords
Landlords are often responsible for the fire safety of buildings they rent out, particularly when the property contains shared or communal areas.
Examples include:
Blocks of flats
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
Student accommodation
Holiday lets or serviced apartments
The landlord must ensure communal spaces such as corridors, stairwells, and entrances are covered by a fire risk assessment.
Managing Agents
Many residential buildings are managed by property management companies or managing agents.
In these situations, responsibility may fall to the managing agent if they have been given control of fire safety management under the terms of the management agreement. This is why managing agents often commission professional fire risk audits on behalf of building owners.
Building Owners
When a building is owned outright by a single organisation or individual, the owner is typically the Responsible Person unless control has been formally delegated.
This is common in:
Commercial premises
Industrial buildings
Private residential blocks
Occupiers With Control of the Premises
Sometimes more than one party may share responsibility.
For example:
A landlord may be responsible for communal areas
Individual businesses may be responsible for their own premises within the building
In mixed-use buildings with shops and flats, fire safety responsibilities are often shared between multiple parties.
Can More Than One Person Be Responsible?
Yes. In many buildings, fire safety responsibility is shared.
For example:
A commercial building might have:
A landlord responsible for structural fire safety features
Multiple tenants responsible for their own internal areas
A managing agent responsible for communal spaces
The Fire Safety Order requires these parties to cooperate and coordinate where fire safety responsibilities overlap. Clear communication between responsible parties is essential to ensure that the overall fire safety strategy remains effective.
Can the Responsible Person Carry Out the Assessment Themselves?
The law allows the Responsible Person to carry out their own fire risk assessment, provided they are competent to do so.
Competence means having:
Sufficient knowledge of fire safety
An understanding of building risks
The ability to identify hazards and evaluate existing precautions
Understanding who can carry out a fire risk assessment is important. If an assessment is challenged by regulators or insurers, the Responsible Person may need to demonstrate that they were competent to complete it. Many landlords and property managers quickly realise that this can be difficult without professional experience.
Why Many Responsible Persons Hire Professional Assessors
Although it is legally possible to complete your own FRA, many building owners and managing agents choose to appoint a specialist. There are a number of different reasons for this.
Expertise in Fire Safety
Professional assessors understand how different building layouts, occupancy types, and safety systems interact. They can identify risks that may not be obvious to someone without specialist knowledge.
Compliance With Current Guidance
Fire safety guidance continues to evolve. New recommendations around evacuation strategies, fire door maintenance, and building risk management appear regularly.
A professional fire safety risk assessment helps ensure the building aligns with current expectations.
Independent Documentation
An independent assessment can provide reassurance to:
Residents
Insurers
Regulators
Property managers
A well-prepared FRA report demonstrates that fire safety has been considered properly.
What Happens If the Responsible Person Does Nothing?
Failing to carry out a fire risk assessment can have serious consequences. Under the Fire Safety Order, enforcement authorities such as local fire services have the power to investigate fire safety arrangements.
If they find that a building does not have a suitable fire risk assessment, they may issue:
Enforcement notices
Improvement notices
Prohibition notices
In serious cases, legal action can follow. Beyond legal risks, the absence of a proper assessment also increases the likelihood that fire hazards go unnoticed.
What a Professional Fire Risk Assessment Involves
A professional FRA typically includes a detailed site inspection.
During the visit, the assessor will review areas such as:
Escape routes and exits
Fire alarm systems
Emergency lighting
Fire doors and compartmentation
Fire safety signage
Fire-fighting equipment
Building layout and occupancy patterns
The assessor then prepares a written report outlining the findings and any recommendations. This document becomes the foundation of the building’s fire safety management plan.
Why Property Managers Trust Purbeck Safety Ltd
Many landlords and managing agents are responsible for multiple buildings. Managing fire safety across a property portfolio can quickly become complex. Purbeck Safety Ltd specialises in clear, practical fire risk assessments designed specifically for property professionals. Rather than producing overly technical reports filled with unnecessary recommendations, the focus is on providing:
Clear explanations of fire safety risks
Proportionate recommendations that reflect the building
Straightforward reporting that property managers can act on
The goal is simple. Help Responsible Persons manage fire safety confidently while meeting their legal responsibilities.
When Should You Arrange a Fire Risk Assessment?
If you are the Responsible Person for a building and are unsure whether the current assessment is still valid, it is worth reviewing the situation.
You may need a new fire risk assessment if:
The building has changed layout
Occupancy levels have changed
The previous assessment is several years old
You have taken over responsibility for a property
There is no documented FRA available
Addressing fire safety proactively reduces risk and ensures the building remains compliant.
Need Help With a Fire Risk Assessment?
Understanding who is responsible for a fire risk assessment is the first step. Ensuring the assessment is thorough, practical, and properly documented is the next. Purbeck Safety Ltd provides professional fire safety risk assessments and audits for landlords, managing agents, and businesses across the South of England.
If you are responsible for a building and want reassurance that fire safety is being managed correctly, getting a professional assessment can provide clarity and confidence.