There’s been a quiet shift happening in fire risk assessments.
Not driven by a single piece of legislation, but by a combination of changes that are steadily raising expectations across the board.
On paper, much of the process still looks familiar.
Assess the building. Identify the risks. Record the findings.
But in practice, the standard of what is considered “acceptable” is inconsistently interpreted.
The gap between having an FRA and relying on it
Historically, many fire risk assessments existed to demonstrate compliance.
They were something to have in place often filed but rarely revisited in detail.
That approach is becoming increasingly risky.
With ongoing changes linked to the Building Safety Act 2022 and wider fire safety reforms, the expectation is no longer just that an assessment exists but that it can be relied upon.
That means:
- Clear, structured findings
- Evidence behind decisions
- Practical, actionable recommendations in achievable timeframes
If challenged, the assessment needs to stand up and not just exist.
A move away from Generic Reporting
One of the biggest changes is the move away from standardised, template-led reports.
While templates still have their place, they are no longer enough on their own.
Buildings are being looked at more individually:
- How is the space actually used?
- Who occupies it?
- How would evacuation realistically happen?
This requires a more considered approach and more time spent understanding the building, not just documenting it.
The Role of Judgement
Fire risk assessments have always required a level of professional judgement.
What’s changing is how visible and how important that judgement has become.
Recommendations now need to be:
- Justified
- Proportionate
- Clearly explained
This is where experience becomes critical. Two buildings may look similar on paper but behave very differently in practice.
The Increased Expectation on Clarity
Another noticeable shift is in how information is presented.
Reports are expected to be:
- Easier to follow
- More transparent
- More usable by Responsible Persons
Because ultimately, a fire risk assessment is only valuable if the person receiving it understands what to do next.
Where this leaves Responsible Persons
For those responsible for buildings, this shift changes how fire risk assessments should be viewed.
It’s no longer about:
✔ Having one in place
It’s about:
✔ Whether it genuinely reflects the building
✔ Whether it supports decision-making
✔ Whether it would stand up to scrutiny
A Higher Standard is Quietly Becoming the Norm
There hasn’t been a single moment where expectations changed overnight. Instead, standards have been steadily rising and will continue to do so.
For many, the challenge now isn’t catching up with legislation, it’s recognising that the definition of “good enough” is constantly evolving.
Join FRAU. Connect. Contribute. Strengthen the profession.
FRAU is a professional organisation representing fire risk assessors, companies, and landlords across the United Kingdom. Established in 2024, FRAU brings together skilled professionals dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of fire safety in buildings nationwide. Through collaboration, education, and advocacy, FRAU works to enhance fire prevention measures, support its members, and contribute to the improvement of fire safety standards across the UK.
Web: frau.org.uk
Phone: 0121 630 3442
Email: info@frau.org.uk
Address: Holbeche House, 437 Shirley Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham, B27 7NX
