- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Home Office Fire Safety Risk Assessment Guides
No automatic annual expiry
A common misconception is that a fire risk assessment expires after 12 months. In fact, under Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must keep the assessment under review — there is no single statutory expiry period.
Change triggers
A review should be carried out when:
- The premises use or layout changes
- The number or profile of occupants changes
- New hazards are introduced
- Significant findings remain outstanding
- There has been a fire or near miss
- Building works or alterations occur
Regular review
Even without change, a regular review is good practice — typically annually for most premises, and more frequently for higher-risk or complex buildings such as care homes, high-rise residential and large warehouses.
LRMS approach
We record the actual review recommendation based on the premises and findings — not a blanket annual expiry. This gives the Responsible Person a defensible, proportionate review schedule.
Cited Sources & Official References
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a fire risk assessment expire after 12 months?
No. There is no statutory annual expiry. The Responsible Person must keep the assessment under review and revisit it when change triggers apply. Annual review is common good practice but is not a legal expiry period.
What triggers a fire risk assessment review?
Change of premises use or layout, change in occupancy, new hazards, outstanding significant findings, a fire or near miss, and building works or alterations all trigger a review.
How often should a care home fire risk assessment be reviewed?
Higher-risk premises such as care homes should be reviewed more frequently than lower-risk premises. While there is no fixed period, annual review is common minimum good practice, with more frequent review where change triggers apply.
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.