Can I Do My Own Fire Risk Assessment?
“Can I do my own fire risk assessment?” is one of the most common questions we hear from landlords, business owners and managing agents across Bristol, Bath, Cardiff and the wider South West and South Wales. The short answer is: yes, you can legally carry out your own fire risk assessment - but only if you are genuinely competent to do so, and you remain fully accountable in law for getting it right. This guide explains exactly what UK fire safety law requires, who should carry out an assessment, how to recognise a competent assessor, and when it makes sense to bring in a professional.
What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?
A fire risk assessment (FRA) is a structured, methodical review of a building to identify fire hazards, the people at risk, and the measures needed to reduce that risk to an acceptable level. It is the legal cornerstone of fire safety for virtually every non-domestic property and the communal areas of residential buildings in England and Wales.
A competent assessment doesn't just tick boxes - it examines sources of ignition and fuel, means of escape, fire detection and warning systems, emergency lighting, signage, firefighting equipment, compartmentation and fire doors, and the needs of anyone who may be especially vulnerable in a fire. It then sets out a prioritised action plan to fix what's wrong.
What does a fire risk assessment involve?
Most professional assessments follow the PAS 79:2020 methodology, a recognised industry framework that ensures nothing is overlooked and that findings are recorded consistently. For a full breakdown of each stage, see our detailed guide on what a fire risk assessment includes, and our overview of fire risk assessments in the UK.
Can I Do My Own Fire Risk Assessment? What the Law Actually Says
When someone asks “can I do my own fire risk assessment?”, the honest legal answer is that you are permitted to - but the responsibility for its quality sits squarely on your shoulders.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The primary legislation is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the “Fire Safety Order” or FSO), which applies across England and Wales. Article 9 requires the “Responsible Person” to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the fire risks to which people are exposed. The FSO has since been strengthened by the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 - changes we cover in our article on the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
Who is the “Responsible Person”?
The Responsible Person is whoever has control of the premises - typically the employer in a workplace, or the building owner, landlord or managing agent for other premises. If you fall into this category, the legal duty to ensure a suitable and sufficient FRA is completed is yours, whether you carry it out personally or appoint someone else. Landlords in particular should read our guide to landlord fire safety responsibilities.
The competence requirement
Here is the crucial point. The Fire Safety Order requires that the assessment is carried out by someone competent - defined in law as a person with sufficient training, experience, knowledge and other qualities to do the job properly. Where you appoint another person to assist, the law and Government guidance are clear that they must be competent. If you carry out the assessment yourself, you are effectively certifying that you meet that standard.
For a small, simple, single-storey premises with an obvious layout and low fire risk, a diligent owner who has studied the relevant Government guidance may well be able to produce an adequate assessment. For anything more complex - multiple floors, sleeping accommodation, HMOs, care settings, listed or converted buildings, or premises with vulnerable occupants - genuine competence is difficult to achieve without specialist training and experience.
You must now record your assessment in full
Since 1 October 2023, following Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, all Responsible Persons must record their completed fire risk assessment in full - regardless of the number of employees or the size of the business. The old exemption for businesses with fewer than five employees has been removed. A vague, undocumented assessment is no longer defensible: if it isn't written down properly, you cannot demonstrate compliance, and an enforcing authority can more easily evidence a breach.
Who Should Carry Out a Fire Risk Assessment?
Being allowed to do something and being the right person to do it are not the same thing. Deciding who should carry out a fire risk assessment comes down to an honest appraisal of the building's complexity and your own competence.
When you can do your own fire risk assessment
You might reasonably do your own fire risk assessment if the premises are small and low-risk, the layout is simple, there is no sleeping accommodation, occupancy is limited, and you have taken the time to understand the relevant Government fire safety guides. Even then, you must record your findings in full and review them regularly - and if you have any doubt about whether your assessment is genuinely suitable and sufficient, that doubt is usually your answer.
When you should hire a professional for a fire risk assessment
You should hire a professional when the stakes or the complexity rise. That includes premises with sleeping risk (hotels, HMOs, care homes, holiday lets and student accommodation), multi-occupied or multi-storey buildings, higher-risk residential blocks, listed or heritage properties, and any premises where you would struggle to defend your assessment to a fire inspector or an insurer. A professional assessment also protects you: it transfers the technical judgement to a qualified specialist and gives you documentation that stands up to scrutiny.
How To Choose A Competent Fire Risk Assessor
If you decide to appoint a specialist, choosing a competent fire risk assessor is itself a legal responsibility - appoint the wrong person and you remain liable. The Fire Industry Association and the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council publish guidance on this, but the key signals to look for are straightforward.
Third-party accreditation
Look for organisations certified under a recognised third-party scheme such as BAFE SP205, ideally with UKAS-backed oversight. This is the clearest, independently audited evidence of competence - and it's exactly the standard Wyvern Risk Management holds.
Relevant experience for your building type
An assessor experienced in offices may not be the right fit for a care home or a converted Victorian HMO. Ask about experience with premises like yours.
Recognised methodology and professional indemnity insurance
A competent assessor should work to the PAS 79:2020 methodology, provide a full written report with a prioritised action plan, and carry adequate professional indemnity insurance.
If you are looking for a fire risk assessor that fits the above - contact us today!
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How Often Should Fire Risk Assessments Be Conducted?
The Fire Safety Order does not set a single fixed interval, but it does require your assessment to be kept up to date. As a rule of thumb, you should review your FRA regularly (commonly at least annually) and carry out a fresh assessment when there is a significant change - building work or alterations, a change of use or occupancy, new equipment or processes, after a fire or near-miss, or when new legislation applies. For a fuller answer, read our dedicated guide on how often a fire risk assessment should be done.
What Are the Legal Consequences of an Improper Fire Risk Assessment?
The consequences of getting it wrong are serious. Fire and Rescue Authorities enforce the Fire Safety Order and can issue alteration notices, enforcement notices and prohibition notices - the last of which can close your premises immediately. Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 increased fines for certain offences to Level 5, meaning an unlimited fine. For serious breaches that place people at risk of death or serious injury, penalties can include unlimited fines and up to two years' imprisonment.
Beyond enforcement, an inadequate or improper fire risk assessment can invalidate your buildings insurance, expose you to civil liability, and - most importantly - put lives at risk. A do-it-yourself assessment that later proves to be neither suitable nor sufficient offers no protection at all.
Can I Do My Own Fire Risk Assessment? The Bottom Line
So, can I do my own fire risk assessment? Legally, yes - if your premises are simple and low-risk and you are genuinely competent to produce a suitable, sufficient and fully recorded assessment. But for most commercial premises, multi-occupied buildings, HMOs and higher-risk properties, the safest and most cost-effective route is to appoint an accredited professional. The question worth asking isn't only “can I do my own fire risk assessment?” but “could my assessment withstand scrutiny from a fire inspector, an insurer or a court?” If you're not certain, that's the moment to get expert help.
How Wyvern Risk Management Can Help
Wyvern Risk Management Limited provides BAFE SP205 accredited, UKAS-backed fire risk assessments for landlords, businesses, HMOs and managing agents across Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Cardiff, Newport, Exeter and the wider South West and South Wales. With over 30 years' frontline Fire Service experience and PAS 79:2020 methodology, our assessors deliver clear, defensible reports that keep you compliant and protected - with fixed pricing from £199.
We also offer accredited fire door inspections, and provide location-specific fire risk assessment services in Cardiff and Exeter.
Rather leave your fire risk assessment to a qualified, accredited specialist? Get in touch with our team today for friendly, no-obligation advice.
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This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Fire safety obligations depend on your specific premises and circumstances.