Downloadable Fire Risk Assessment Checklist

Regularly assessing and mitigating fire risks is a legal and ethical responsibility for anyone in charge of commercial, industrial, or public premises in the UK. Ensuring the safety of employees, visitors, and assets is not only best practice, it is required under British law. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key steps of a fire risk assessment, provide clarity on responsibilities, and help you understand the regulatory context. Use this article as a reference for performing your own fire risk assessment and to discover when it might be prudent to engage professional fire safety services.

Who Is Responsible?

UK legislation places fire safety responsibilities clearly on those in control of, or with a degree of control over, business premises. This “responsible person” is typically the employer, business owner, landlord, facilities or property manager, or any person with some level of authority over the building.

For multi-occupant premises, responsibility may be shared. However, employers have the primary legal duty to safeguard their staff and those who may be affected by their work activities. It is crucial to understand that appointing someone to carry out a fire risk assessment does not transfer the legal duty, the responsible person remains accountable for ensuring fire safety measures are in place and properly maintained.

If you are unsure whether you are the responsible person, or how to proceed, seek guidance from your local fire and rescue service or a reputable company with expertise in fire risk assessments, such as TJC Fire & Electrical.

What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a structured process that identifies potential fire hazards in your business premises, evaluates who may be at risk, assesses existing fire safety controls, and recommends further action where necessary. Its ultimate goal is to reduce fire risks to an acceptable level, ensure legal compliance, and protect life and property.

Fire risk assessments should be conducted by someone who is competent, this means having sufficient training, knowledge of fire safety, and experience relevant to the premises in question. The assessment must be performed and reviewed regularly, especially after changes such as renovations, alterations in occupancy, or new work processes.

If you lack the expertise, or the environment is complex or high risk, consider commissioning a professional assessment. TJC Fire & Electrical provides fire risk assessment services tailored to commercial requirements and can help you meet all compliance requirements.

Read our blog post for more information on; what is a fire risk assessment?

The 5 Steps / Checklist for Fire Risk Assessment

The widely accepted approach to completing a fire risk assessment in the UK is based on five key steps. Each of these is vital to achieving thorough fire safety management.

Step 1: Identify Fire Hazards

Start by systematically locating potential sources of ignition (e.g., electrical equipment, heaters, cooking appliances), combustible materials (paper, furniture, chemicals), and sources of oxygen (air flow, ventilation systems).

Assess:

• Areas where flammable liquids are stored
• Electrical circuits and equipment
• Kitchens or staff break areas
• Smoking areas or policies
• Contractors’ work and build-up of waste

Step 2: Identify People at Risk

Consider who is at risk in your premises:

• Employees and contractors, including those working alone or late
• Customers and visitors (including unfamiliar persons)
• Vulnerable people: children, elderly, those with reduced mobility, sensory impairments, or other special needs

Also assess areas where individuals may be isolated, such as storerooms, and how they would be alerted and evacuated safely.

Step 3: Evaluate, Remove or Reduce Risks

Assess the likelihood of fire starting and spreading. Review whether current controls (fire alarms, extinguishers, clear escape routes, fire doors, emergency lighting) are effective and up to date.

Common actions include:

• Removing improperly stored flammable materials
• Ensuring regular electrical inspections (such as EICRs)
• Maintaining and testing fire alarms and emergency lighting
• Stopping or controlling activities that introduce significant fire risk (e.g., use of naked flames or hot works)
• Keeping escape routes clear

Step 4: Record, Plan and Train

Document your findings, actions taken, and those responsible for corrections. A written fire risk assessment is a legal requirement if you employ five or more people, hold a licence, or are otherwise required by your local fire authority.

Key elements:

• Create a fire safety plan detailing evacuation procedures, responsible persons, and arrangements for vulnerable occupants
• Install appropriate fire safety signage and notices
• Train staff in fire prevention, safe evacuation, fire equipment use, and knowing the location of alarms and exits
• Schedule and record regular fire drills

Step 5: Review Regularly

A fire risk assessment is not a one-off exercise. Regularly review your assessment—at least annually or whenever significant change occurs to the building, occupancy, or activities.

Trigger events for a review include:

• Changes to layout, structure, or fire safety equipment
• New processes or hazardous substances
• Changes in staff, especially if new vulnerabilities are introduced
• After a fire, near miss, or major incident

Additional Specific Checks / Sections

Certain hazards require special attention in modern business premises. Your fire risk assessment should cover:

Electrical Safety: Faulty wiring and overloaded circuits are leading causes of workplace fires. Arrange regular Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) and visual checks.

Heating and Appliances: Keep portable and fixed heaters maintained and ensure they are kept clear of combustible materials.

Smoking Areas and Policy: Only permit smoking in designated, properly controlled areas. Provide fire-resistant receptacles.

Arson Prevention: Assess vulnerabilities such as open bins near buildings, unsecured doors, or unauthorised access points. Monitor car parks and loading bays.

Storage and Housekeeping: Flammable materials, waste and stockpiles should be managed and regularly cleared.

Escape Routes and Exits: All emergency exits should be clear, accessible, and signed. Circulation routes must remain free from obstruction.

Fire Doors: Fire doors should be fitted with automatic closures, regularly checked for damage, and kept closed.

Signage: Fire action notices, extinguisher location signs, and directional exit signage must conform to the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

Fire Detection and Alarms: Undertake routine testing and maintenance of your fire alarm system, as outlined in British Standards (BS 5839).

Fire Extinguishers and Other Equipment: Place the correct type and number in accessible locations and arrange annual servicing.

Emergency Lighting: Install and test emergency lighting to illuminate escape routes during a power failure.

For a more comprehensive checklist or to arrange a professional site inspection, explore your options with TJC Fire & Electrical.

Maintenance, Drills & Training

Ongoing maintenance and staff engagement are critical. This includes:

• Scheduled servicing of fire alarm systems, extinguishers, and emergency lighting
• Weekly or monthly in-house visual checks of escape routes, equipment, and fire doors
• Documented fire drills at least annually (or as required by your risk level)
• Regular review and renewal of staff fire safety training

Training should cover:

• Fire prevention awareness
• Use of fire-fighting equipment
• Evacuation procedures, including for vulnerable individuals
• Responsibilities as fire marshals or wardens

Reliable providers such as TJC Fire & Electrical can support ongoing maintenance and compliance for all electrical and fire safety systems.

Legislative / Regulatory Context

The core legal framework for fire safety in nearly all non-domestic premises in England and Wales is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation places a duty of care on the responsible person to ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and acted upon.

Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, prosecution or, in the event of a fire, severe legal and financial consequences. Guidance on the legislation is available from GOV.UK.

Additional sector-specific guidance may apply (e.g., for care homes, educational settings), so check Government or Fire and Rescue Service advice for your particular circumstances.

FAQs

Who can carry out a fire risk assessment? Can anyone do it?
A fire risk assessment can be carried out by a competent person with sufficient training, experience and knowledge of your premises. For simple low-risk environments, a suitably experienced manager or staff member may be able to complete it using authoritative guides such as those from GOV.UK.
For complex premises or where there is any doubt, it is best to use a professional such as TJC Fire & Electrical.

How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
A review should take place at least annually, and whenever there are significant changes to the building, occupancy, or activity. Also review after a fire, incident, or near miss.

What hazards must be checked?
Electrical installations, heating systems, storage and use of combustible materials, sources of ignition, escape routes and doors, fire doors and signage, fire alarms, extinguishers, and the needs of vulnerable people.

What are the main requirements for emergency evacuation?
Clear, signed routes; functioning emergency lighting; trained staff; fire action notices; and systems for supporting vulnerable individuals.

How should vulnerable people be considered?
Prepare Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for staff or visitors who need assistance (e.g., people with disabilities, mobility challenges).

What training should staff receive?
Staff should know fire prevention measures, how to raise the alarm, operate extinguishers, and the evacuation procedure. Regular drills should be arranged and recorded.

Downloadable / Printable Checklist

A comprehensive fire risk assessment checklist should include, but is not limited to, the following areas:

• Identification of all fire hazards (sources of ignition, fuel, oxygen)
• Consideration of people at risk, including staff, visitors, and vulnerable groups
• Evaluation of existing controls (alarms, extinguishers, doors, signage)
• Record-keeping (who carried out the assessment, findings, actions)
• Maintenance schedule for all fire safety equipment
• Evacuation plans and signage checks
• Staff training logs and fire drill records
• Schedule for periodic reviews

Download the TJC fire risk assessment checklist below:

Official checklists and further guidance can be sourced from your local fire authority or the GOV.UK fire safety guides.

If you require support in carrying out an assessment, have a complex environment, or want assurance of full compliance, consider the expert fire risk assessment services TJC Fire & Electrical offer for business premises in the West Midlands, Birmingham and surrounding areas.

For more guidance, professional fire risk assessment services, or to arrange a site visit, contact TJC Fire & Electrical today.

By following this fire risk assessment checklist, you are not only ensuring legal compliance but also safeguarding your business, staff, and reputation.