Who Can Complete a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)?

Who can complete a FRA ?

A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises and the common areas of residential buildings under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales (and equivalent legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland). The purpose of an FRA is to identify fire hazards, assess the risk to people, and determine what measures are needed to ensure safety. But who is legally allowed — and practically qualified — to carry out a fire risk assessment?

The Legal Requirement: A “Competent Person”

The law states that a “competent person” must carry out the fire risk assessment. A competent person is defined as someone with sufficient training, experience, knowledge, and understanding of fire safety principles and practices to be able to identify fire hazards and evaluate fire risk.

The law does not require that a fire risk assessor hold formal qualifications, but the key expectation is that they are able to carry out a “suitable and sufficient” assessment. This means that in more complex or high-risk buildings, the level of expertise required increases. For example, an FRA for a simple office might be done by a well-trained facilities manager, while one for a large residential block or care home should be done by a professional fire risk assessor with relevant qualifications and accreditations.

Competency in Practice

Competency depends on several factors, including:

• Knowledge of fire safety legislation and guidance (e.g., Fire Safety Order 2005, PAS 79)

• Understanding of building construction and fire behaviour

• Experience in assessing similar types of buildings

• Ability to clearly document findings and recommendations

To demonstrate competency, many fire risk assessors hold recognised qualifications such as:

• NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management

• IFE (Institution of Fire Engineers) approved fire risk assessment courses

• Fire risk assessor certification from organisations such as the Fire Protection Association (FPA), the British Safety Council, or IFSM (Institute of Fire Safety Managers)

Third-Party Accreditation

Although not mandatory, many organisations and property owners prefer to use fire risk assessors who are third-party accredited. Reputable registers include:

• The Fire Risk Assessors Register (FRAR)

• The Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) register

• Warringtonfire’s FRACS scheme

• The BAFE SP205 Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment Scheme

Using an assessor from these schemes provides reassurance that the individual or company has been independently assessed for competency and follows recognised best practices.

In-House vs. External

Some organisations may choose to have a competent in-house person conduct the FRA, particularly for low-risk, straightforward premises. However, for higher-risk buildings—such as those with sleeping accommodation, vulnerable occupants, or complex layouts—it is best practice to use an external specialist fire risk assessor.

Conclusion

In summary, a fire risk assessment must be carried out by a person who is demonstrably competent to do so. While the law allows flexibility, the risk lies with the duty holder if the assessment is inadequate. To ensure legal compliance, life safety, and peace of mind, especially in complex or high-occupancy buildings, it is advisable to use a qualified, experienced, and preferably accredited fire risk assessor.