Fire Risk Assessment What Responsible Persons Need know

Summary: A thorough fire risk assessment reflects how the premises is used, identifies hazards and people at risk, considers whether precautions work, and records prioritised actions. Check that the report explains its findings, responsibilities and review needs instead of relying on generic observations. These practical checks apply across workplaces and shared residential areas in Kent and Sussex.

Does your fire safety report describe the real conditions on site, or could it apply to almost any building? For premises in Dover, Ashford, Maidstone and Canterbury, start by checking whether the assessment reflects actual activities and occupants. Our explanation of what a fire risk assessment should include gives you a useful reference point, but the findings should relate to your premises.

In England, the responsible person must assess fire risks and keep the assessment under review. A thorough document should help you understand the risks, why they matter and what needs attention. It is a practical record for managing fire safety, not simply a form to file away.

What does a thorough fire risk assessment cover?

Start by checking whether the assessment describes the premises, its activities and the people who use it. A report that names only the building type, without explaining how the space operates, may miss important differences between a quiet office and a busy warehouse.

The Fire Safety Order requires a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to relevant people in premises covered by the law. Check that the findings consider ignition sources, combustible materials, fire precautions and the people who could be affected. The assessment should also note dangerous substances where these are present or could be present.

Look for coverage of the practical safeguards: escape routes and exits, fire detection and warning, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment, evacuation arrangements and maintenance. Relevant information, instruction and training should also be considered. The right level of detail depends on the site, but each finding should connect to a real condition or activity.

Does it reflect the premises, occupants and daily operations?

A useful assessment follows how the building is actually used. Consider deliveries, storage, cleaning, cooking, maintenance and any hot work. For example, packaging left beside a heater creates a different concern from the same packaging kept in a suitable storage area.

It should identify who may be affected, including staff, visitors, contractors and people unfamiliar with the building. Check whether it considers anyone who could need help receiving a warning or evacuating. The fire service guidance also highlights the need to consider people at particular risk, fire precautions and emergency arrangements.

Ask whether the assessor visited the relevant areas and discussed how the premises operates. A site visit alone does not show that every issue was considered, but observations should be consistent with the rooms, activities and safeguards described in the report. If a warehouse, kitchen or shared corridor is missing from the description, ask why.

What should the fire risk assessment report show?

A report should let you trace each concern from observation to action. Check that it records the hazard, who might be affected, existing precautions and any remaining risk. Findings should be specific enough for someone responsible for the building to understand what needs to change.

Recommendations are more useful when they explain the required improvement and its priority. Look for a named person or role responsible for each action, a target date and a way to record completion. “Improve housekeeping” is less actionable than identifying the particular materials or route that need attention.

The GOV.UK assessment steps include recording findings, preparing an emergency plan, providing training and reviewing the assessment. Use these points to check whether your report supports follow-through, not just hazard identification.

For another practical reference, see our fire risk assessment steps and checklist. A checklist can help you spot missing information, but it does not replace the site-specific reasoning behind the findings.

How can you judge assessor competence and communication?

Ask how the assessor’s experience and training relate to your premises and its risks. You should be able to discuss the scope before the visit, ask questions during the assessment and understand the recommendations afterwards. Clear explanations make it easier to assign actions and keep the assessment current.

Check whether the report distinguishes observations from assumptions and explains any areas that could not be accessed or assessed. Where several people share responsibility for fire safety, the findings should help them coordinate rather than leave unclear who will act.

Our consultants hold relevant certifications and have undergone training intended to support compliance with fire safety regulations. We conduct assessments on site and guide clients through the process. You can read more about understanding fire risk assessments for your business before deciding what support your organisation needs.

When should you review the assessment and its actions?

Review the assessment when the premises, its use or its occupants change, or when a fire or near miss reveals a possible gap. Also check progress against outstanding recommendations and whether fire precautions remain in working order. A report that no longer reflects current conditions needs attention.

In England, fire safety audits recorded 11,286 breaches relating to emergency routes and exits in the year ending March 2026. The same release recorded 9,727 maintenance breaches and 9,271 breaches relating to risk assessment. These figures describe breaches found during audits, not the condition of every workplace, but they underline the value of checking routes, maintenance and assessment records. See the 2026 fire safety statistics for the reporting period and detail.

For premises in Brighton, Crawley, Worthing, Dartford and across East Sussex and West Sussex, the same principle applies: review actions as the building changes. If you manage shared residential areas, check that the assessment reflects the common parts and that responsibilities are clear. Our information on fire risk assessments for landlords covers that context.

Make the findings useful

A thorough fire risk assessment connects site observations to the people at risk, the precautions in place and the actions still required. Check for specific evidence, clear priorities, responsible owners and a review plan. If the report is vague or no longer matches your premises, ask for clarification and agree what needs to happen next.

Arrange a Fire Risk Assessment in Kent and Sussex

If you are responsible for a workplace or shared area in Kent, East Sussex or West Sussex, a site-specific assessment can help you identify hazards and understand practical next steps. We tailor the consultation to your premises and guide you through the on-site assessment.

Our fire risk assessment prices start at £130.00. To discuss your requirements or request a booking, contact us about fire risk assessment services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a fire risk assessment thorough?

It reflects how the premises is used, who could be affected and whether existing precautions address the risks. Its report records clear findings, actions and review needs.

What should a fire risk assessment report contain?

It should describe relevant hazards, people at risk, existing safeguards and any further measures required. Recommendations should be clear enough to assign and track.

How do you check whether an assessment is site-specific?

Compare the report with the rooms, activities, occupants and precautions at the premises. Ask about any area or operation that appears to be missing.

When should you review a fire risk assessment?

Review it when changes to the premises or its use could affect fire safety, and when an incident or unresolved action reveals a concern. Keep it current as conditions change.

Can Kent and Sussex FRA assess my premises?

We carry out tailored, on-site fire risk assessments for businesses and other organisations across Kent and Sussex. Our consultants guide you through the assessment and its findings.