Introduction
A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for most workplaces and non-domestic premises in the UK. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must identify fire hazards, assess who may be at risk, take suitable precautions, and review the assessment regularly. A poor or incomplete assessment can leave people exposed to serious danger and may result in enforcement action. Responsible Persons must carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment, put fire safety measures in place, plan for emergencies, and provide staff with information and training.
Mistake 1: Treating the Assessment as a One-Off Task
One common mistake is completing a fire risk assessment and then leaving it untouched for years. Fire risks change when premises are altered, staff numbers increase, storage arrangements change, equipment is added, or work activities are modified. To avoid this, the assessment should be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to believe it is no longer valid. Reviews should also take place after a fire, near miss, enforcement visit, or significant change in the way the premises are used.
Mistake 2: Failing to Identify All Fire Hazards
Some assessments focus only on obvious risks, such as extinguishers and alarms, while overlooking ignition sources, electrical equipment, heating appliances, smoking areas, waste storage, flammable substances, and poor housekeeping. To avoid this mistake, inspections should cover the whole premises, including offices, storage areas, plant rooms, kitchens, workshops, corridors, stairways, basements, roof spaces, and external waste areas. Particular attention should be given to anything that could start a fire or help it spread quickly.
Mistake 3: Ignoring People at Higher Risk
A fire risk assessment must consider everyone who may be affected, not just employees. Visitors, contractors, residents, night workers, lone workers, children, elderly people, and people with disabilities may all need additional arrangements. Avoid this mistake by considering how each group would hear the alarm, understand instructions, and escape safely. Where necessary, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans should be prepared for individuals who may need assistance during an evacuation.
Mistake 4: Poor Escape Route Management
Blocked corridors, wedged-open fire doors, missing signage, inadequate emergency lighting, and locked exits are frequent problems. Escape routes must remain clear, available, and suitable for the number and type of people using the building. Fire doors should close properly, exits should be easy to open, and emergency lighting should be tested and maintained. Regular checks should be recorded, and faults should be corrected quickly.
Mistake 5: Not Recording Findings or Actions
A verbal or informal assessment is not enough. Responsible Persons should keep a written record of the fire risk assessment, including significant findings, people at risk, existing controls, required improvements, responsible individuals, and target completion dates. Without clear records, important actions may be missed or delayed. Proper documentation also helps demonstrate that fire safety duties are being managed responsibly.
Mistake 6: Inadequate Training and Communication
Even a good assessment will fail if staff do not know what to do. Employees should understand alarm procedures, evacuation routes, assembly points, fire reporting arrangements, and any specific responsibilities such as fire marshal duties. Training should be provided when staff start work and refreshed when procedures or risks change. Fire drills should be carried out periodically so that evacuation arrangements can be tested in practice.
Mistake 7: Failing to Maintain Fire Safety Equipment
Fire alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers, smoke control systems, sprinkler systems, fire doors, and other protective measures must be maintained in effective working order. A common mistake is installing fire safety equipment but failing to inspect, test, or service it properly. To avoid this, Responsible Persons should establish a maintenance schedule, keep service records, and ensure that defects are reported and repaired promptly.
Review
The most common fire risk assessment mistakes usually arise from poor review, incomplete inspections, weak record keeping, lack of maintenance, and inadequate communication. Responsible Persons can avoid these problems by following a clear process: identify hazards, identify people at risk, reduce risks, record findings, train staff, maintain precautions, and review arrangements regularly.