Fire Risk Assessment Middlesex

For premises covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is completed by a competent person. London Fire Brigade explains that this applies to premises other than individual private homes, including commercial buildings and shared areas in HMOs and blocks of flats.

The assessment should look at the premises and the people who use it, identify fire hazards and people at risk, evaluate and reduce risks, record the findings, provide an emergency plan and training where required, and be reviewed and updated regularly.

London Fire Brigade also states that appointing a specialist can be appropriate for larger or more complex premises. The Responsible Person retains the legal responsibility for fire safety even when a competent assessor is appointed.

Since changes introduced by Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 came into effect on 1 October 2023, all Responsible Persons must record the findings of their fire risk assessment and their fire safety arrangements. Where a person is appointed to undertake or review all or part of an assessment, their identity and organisation details must also be recorded.

The assessment should be reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes could affect the fire risk or fire safety measures. Changes to layout, activities, occupancy, equipment or management arrangements may all warrant review.

For certain higher-rise residential buildings, additional duties apply under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. From 6 April 2026, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 also introduce duties concerning eligible residents who may have difficulty evacuating independently.