- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
- BS 9999: Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings
A fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 identifies fire hazards, the people at risk, and the adequacy of existing controls. Across thousands of assessments, the same significant findings appear again and again. This guide sets out the most common issues — and why they matter.
Fire doors
Defective or damaged fire doors are among the most frequent findings. Common issues include:
- Missing or painted-over intumescent seals
- Excessive gaps around the leaf
- Missing screws on hinges
- Closers that fail to self-close from any angle
Fire doors are a critical passive protection measure. A defective door can undermine the entire compartmentation strategy of a building, as recognised in BS 9999.
Escape routes
Blocked or obstructed escape routes, wedged-open fire doors, inadequate signage and poorly maintained emergency lighting regularly appear as significant findings. Escape routes must be kept available for use at all times under the Fire Safety Order.
Detection and alarm systems
Missing or inadequate testing records, untested alarms, and detectors sited incorrectly or in insufficient numbers are common. The Responsible Person must keep records of testing and maintenance.
Compartmentation
Unsealed penetrations, missing fire stopping around service ducts, and altered compartment walls without assessment undermine the building's fire strategy. These issues are particularly significant in multi-occupied and residential buildings.
Management and records
Missing or out-of-date fire risk assessments, absent emergency plans, and no recorded training or drills are frequent management findings. This is particularly significant since the Section 156 recording duties took effect in October 2023 — Responsible Persons within scope must now record their fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in full.
How LRMS helps
Each finding is documented with photographic evidence, a priority rating, an owner and a target date — so you can close findings with confidence. Support doesn't have to end with the report: we can help you understand findings, prioritise actions and evidence close-out.
Cited Sources & Official References
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common fire risk assessment findings?
The most common findings include defective fire doors, blocked escape routes, missing alarm test records, unsealed compartmentation penetrations, and missing or out-of-date fire risk assessments and emergency plans.
Why are missing records such a common finding?
Many organisations carry out testing and maintenance but fail to record it. Since the October 2023 recording duties under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, Responsible Persons within scope must record their fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in full.
How are fire risk assessment findings prioritised?
Each finding should be documented with a priority rating, a responsible owner and a target closure date. This allows the Responsible Person to evidence close-out and demonstrate due diligence.
About Louanne Lanahan
Founder & Director · CMIOSH · OSHCR · MIFSM · AIFireE · NFRAR
Chartered Safety Practitioner (CMIOSH), registered on OSHCR, MIFSM, AIFireE, and NFRAR. Founder and Director of Lanahan Risk Management Services Ltd.