Fire Risk Assessment
Introduction
The Fire Sector Confederation and its predecessor the Fire Sector Federation has long been committed to improving the competence of fire risk assessors. Through the leadership and partnership of our members, alongside many others across the built environment who share a common commitment to protecting life from fire, we have consistently supported the development of good practice in this vital area.
In light of recent developments, all previous Fire Sector Confederation guidance has been withdrawn and replaced with the information set out on this page. Fire risk assessment is currently in a transitional period and some linked or quoted references may change as the new regulatory framework develops.
The Grenfell Tower Legacy
The Government response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report on 26 February 2025 endorsed most of the Inquiry’s key recommendations. Central to this response was the clear positioning of competence and culture at the heart of the actions to be implemented.
By accepting Recommendation 26, the Government confirmed its intention to legislate to mandate the independent verification of competence of fire risk assessors undertaking this critical role. As a result, fire risk assessors and all legally responsible duty holders are now entering a transitional period.
Competence Requirements
Important groundwork has already been undertaken to raise standards and support good practice, supported by Fire Sector Confederation members BAFE, FIA, FPA, IFE, and IFSM, in partnership with the Government, the British Standards Institution, and the Industry Competency Steering Group (ICSG).
Standards
The British Standards Institution (BSI) operates a Built Environment Competence Programme and a joint “competence hub” with ICSG that provides practical resources. Three published standards are particularly relevant to fire risk assessment: BS 8674:2025 (competence framework), and the methodologies for fire risk assessment in non-housing and housing premises.
Advice and Guidance
Undertaking a Fire Risk Assessment is fundamental to life safety from fire. In almost all non-domestic premises, the person in control of a premise has a legal duty to ensure it is carried out. The official guidance for dutyholders in England is provided by the UK Government, with specific national guidance also available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Choosing a Fire Risk Assessor
Where duty holders seek assistance, they must appoint someone competent and suitable to undertake their fire risk assessment. Duty holders should consider how a fire risk assessor has gained their competence, as defined in BS 8674:2025, and verify the relevance, currency and scope of their qualifications, experience and references, including whether claims of competence are independently verified by a recognised third party.
Registers, Certification and Awarding Organisations
Organisations that register individuals or companies against defined standards are:
- British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE) — operator of the UKAS* SP205 Fire Risk Assessment Scheme
- Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), who have an engineer-based Fire Risk Assessor Register
- Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM), who offer a comprehensive Fire Risk Assessors Register of persons who meet national and IFSM membership internal standards.
*Note: the SP205 Scheme is independently audited by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) and Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) to assure compliance to UKAS requirements.
There are also a number of Awarding Organisations that award RFQ qualifications and approve Training Centres within the fire risk assessor specialism. Examples include:
- Awarding Body for the Built Environment (ABBE)
- BAFE FireQual Ltd (FireQual)
- National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH)
- Proqual AB Ltd (ProQual)
- Qualifications Network (QNUK).
These and other organisations like the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the UK Fire Protection Association (FPA) may also offer advice and assistance to duty holders seeking to appoint competent fire risk assessors.
