Fire risk assessments exist to protect people.
Protecting residents.
Protecting employees.
Protecting visitors.
Protecting buildings.
But there is one person whose safety is rarely part of the conversation.
The fire risk assessor.
Every day, assessors enter unfamiliar buildings, inspect vacant properties, access isolated plant rooms and communal areas and increasingly carry out inspections outside normal working hours. They often do so alone, why?
For most, it’s simply accepted as part of the role.
Perhaps it’s time we started asking whether it should be.
Looking Beyond the Fire Risk
The focus of a fire risk assessment is, quite rightly, the life safety of the people who use it.
But every assessment also presents a range of personal safety considerations for the individual carrying it out.
That will include:
- Entering occupied residential flats.
- Visiting unfamiliar or isolated locations.
- Carrying out inspections during evenings or weekends.
- Accessing basements, roof spaces or service areas with limited visibility.
- Working in buildings where there is little or no on site or regular management.
Most assessments are completed without incident.
However, personal safety risks such as aggressive behaviour, unauthorised occupants, unsecured buildings or medical emergencies can never be entirely discounted.
Like any workplace risk, they must be recognised, assessed and managed.
Guidance Exists; But Not Specifically for Fire Risk Assessors
While there is well established guidance around lone working and employer responsibilities under health and safety legislation, there is very little that specifically addresses the unique challenges faced by fire risk assessors.
As a result, approaches vary significantly.
Some organisations have comprehensive lone working procedures, structured welfare check ins and clear escalation processes.
Others rely on little more than a phone call at the end of the day.
That inconsistency means assessor safety often depends on the individual organisation rather than an industry wide expectation.
As the profession continues to evolve, this feels like an area worthy of greater discussion.
The Profession Is Changing
Fire risk assessments are becoming increasingly complex.
Assessors are travelling further, working across more diverse building types and undertaking inspections in increasingly challenging environments.
At the same time, many organisations now operate with smaller teams, hybrid working arrangements and wider geographical coverage, meaning lone working has become more common than ever before.
Many inspections also take place outside normal operating hours to reduce disruption to residents or businesses.
Whilst these changes improve flexibility, they also reinforce the need to consider the wellbeing of the people carrying out the work.
It’s also about ensuring professionals can carry out their work safely.
Improving Fire Risk Assessor safety doesn’t necessarily require expensive technology or complex procedures.
Often, it’s about embedding simple, consistent practices into everyday operations, to help assessors feel supported rather than isolated.
Protecting the People Who Protect Others
At FRAU, we believe protecting people should extend beyond the occupants of a building.
It should also include those responsible for assessing it.
While there may not yet be formal industry guidance dedicated specifically to fire risk assessor safety, that shouldn’t prevent organisations from taking proactive steps now.
Simple measures, clear procedures and a proactive, collaborative approach to lone working can make a meaningful difference, not only for the lone fire risk assessor or an employee.
Good practice often begins long before it becomes an expectation, which we have learned from our members experiences.
The fire safety profession is built on identifying risk, reducing harm and protecting lives.
That responsibility shouldn’t stop at the building entrance.
As expectations around competency, professionalism and accountability continue to grow, we believe assessor wellbeing deserves to become part of the conversation too.
Because if we’re asking fire risk assessors to help make buildings safer, we should be asking an equally important question…
Who is protecting them?
