There's no single answer to fire risk assessment frequency — it depends on building type, occupancy, and changes. This guide helps you determine the right review cycle for your building.. The Legal Position The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that the fire risk assessment be reviewed 'regularly' — but deliberately avoids specifying a fixed interval. This flexibility is intentional: the appropriate review frequency depends on the specific circumstances of each building. However, this lack of a fixed requirement creates uncertainty. Building owners and responsible persons frequently ask: 'How often should I review my fire risk assessment?' The answer, as with much of fire safety, is 'it depends.' Recommended Review Frequencies Annual Review — Minimum Best Practice For most buildings, an annual review is considered best practice. This should be a structured process that considers: Changes to the building fabric or layout Changes to building use or occupancy Changes to fire safety systems Any fire incidents or near misses Changes in relevant legislation or guidance Findings from routine fire safety inspections More Frequent Reviews Required Certain buildings and circumstances demand more frequent review: Sleeping accommodation (care homes, hotels, HMOs): Review every 6 12 months, or after any significant change Ongoing assessment of resident vulnerability High risk premises (chemical storage, industrial processes): Review every 6 months as minimum Process change triggers immediate review Buildings under remediation: Monthly review during significant works Updated whenever temporary fire safety measures change Higher risk residential buildings (over 18m): Continuous assessment as part of the building Safety Case Formal review at least annually, more frequently if circumstances change Trigger Events for Immediate Review Regardless of the scheduled review cycle, certain events should trigger an immediate reassessment: 1. Fire or fire related incident in the building 2. Significant building works — refurbishment, extension, change of cladding 3. Change of use — conversion from one use to another 4. Significant change in occupancy — different demographic, increased numbers 5. Installation or removal of fire safety systems 6. Enforcement action by the fire authority 7. Relevant legislative changes affecting the building 8. Discovery of previously unknown hazards — e.g., combustible cladding identified 9. Significant change to surrounding buildings — new construction affecting access or exposure risk The Cost of Outdated Assessments An outdated fire risk assessment is worse than no assessment at all — it creates a false sense of security. We've seen cases where: Buildings continued operating under a 'stay put' strategy despite cladding defects identified years after the FRA Fire safety measures recommended in the FRA were never implemented because no review checked completion Changes of use rendered the entire fire safety strategy inappropriate New legislation (Fire Safety Act 2021) introduced requirements not covered in existing FRAs What a Good Review Looks Like A review should be more than a desktop exercise: 1. Physical inspection — walk the building, check all fire safety measures 2. Documentation review — maintenance records, test certificates, incident reports 3. Stakeholder engagement — speak to building users, cleaners, maintenance staff 4. Action plan update — check progress on previous recommendations 5. Legislation check — ensure compliance with current requirements 6. Written record — document findings, conclusions, and any updated recommendations 7. Communication — share updated assessment with relevant parties (including residents in residential buildings) For fire risk assessment services and review programmes, contact Magnus Opifex.