Guidance for responsible persons
Short, plain-English pages written by former fire safety inspectors, with links to the legislation, government guidance and standards behind them.
What good looks like
A poor fire risk assessment and a suitable and sufficient one, side by side: scope, evidence, findings, action plans and review. With worked examples and ten questions to ask an assessor.
Read moreFire safety law and standards
The Fire Safety Order, the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, BS 9792 and PAS 79, explained in plain English with links to the sources.
Read moreQuestions and answers
Who is the responsible person, how often an FRA must be reviewed, what "suitable and sufficient" means, what an assessment costs and what happens after it.
Read moreOfficial sources
Useful links
The legislation and guidance we work to. We link to the official source in every case so you can check for yourself.
Legislation
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005legislation.gov.uk
- Fire Safety Act 2021legislation.gov.uk
- The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022legislation.gov.uk
- Building Safety Act 2022legislation.gov.uk
Government guidance
- Fire safety in the workplace: who is responsibleGOV.UK
- Fire safety: guidance for those with legal duties (all guides)GOV.UK
- Check your fire safety responsibilities under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022GOV.UK
- Check your fire safety responsibilities under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022GOV.UK
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: fire doorsGOV.UK
- Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flatsGOV.UK
- Fire Safety Order: enforcement and sanctions for non-complianceGOV.UK
- Fire safety responsibilities under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022: guidance for WalesGOV.WALES
- Fire Safety Act 2021: guidance for WalesGOV.WALES
Standards and professional bodies
- BS 9792:2025 Fire risk assessment. Housing. Code of practiceBSI
- PAS 79-1:2020 Fire risk assessment. Premises other than housing. Code of practiceBSI
- Finding a fire risk assessorNational Fire Chiefs Council
- A guide to choosing a competent fire risk assessor (PDF)Fire Sector Federation
- Institute of Fire Safety ManagersIFSM
- Institution of Fire EngineersIFE