Fire Risk Assessment vs Fire Safety Audit: What's the Difference?
A fire risk assessment and a fire safety audit both review fire safety — but they are different documents with different purposes and legal status. This guide explains both.
Fire risk assessment and fire safety audit are terms often used interchangeably, but they have distinct purposes. A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement under UK fire law; a fire safety audit is typically a systematic inspection to check compliance with existing controls. Understanding the difference helps you meet your legal duties and identify gaps.
Fire risk assessment vs Fire safety audit: The Definitions
A fire risk assessment (FRA) is a systematic evaluation of a premises to identify fire hazards, determine who is at risk, and put in place adequate fire safety measures. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the "responsible person" must ensure an FRA is carried out for all non-domestic premises.
Formula
Process: Identify hazards → identify people at risk → evaluate, remove, or reduce risks → record findings → review and update.
Example
A restaurant owner commissions a BAFE SP205-accredited assessor to complete an FRA. The assessor identifies 4 critical actions including inadequate emergency lighting in the kitchen and a blocked fire escape route.
A fire safety audit is a formal inspection that checks whether existing fire safety arrangements are being maintained and complied with. It reviews the evidence — maintenance records, staff training logs, fire drill records, equipment service certificates — against the fire risk assessment and applicable standards.
Formula
Process: Review FRA → check physical conditions → verify records (alarm tests, extinguisher services, drill logs) → identify compliance gaps → produce findings report.
Example
Six months after their FRA, the restaurant manager conducts an internal fire safety audit using a checklist. They identify that fire extinguishers are overdue for annual service and update the maintenance schedule.
Key Differences
- 1A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement under the RRO 2005; a fire safety audit is a good practice monitoring tool — not specifically mandated by law but strongly recommended
- 2An FRA identifies and evaluates fire hazards from scratch; an audit checks whether previously identified controls are still in place and effective
- 3FRAs are typically conducted by independent qualified assessors (BAFE SP205, IFE member); audits can be conducted internally by a trained fire marshal or manager
- 4An FRA produces a list of recommended actions to reduce risk; an audit produces a compliance score against existing requirements
- 5FRAs require a physical inspection of the premises; an audit reviews both physical conditions AND documentary evidence (records, logs, certificates)
When to Use Fire risk assessment vs Fire safety audit
Complete a full fire risk assessment when you first occupy premises, after significant structural changes, or after an incident. Conduct fire safety audits (quarterly or 6-monthly) as an ongoing monitoring tool to ensure your FRA actions have been implemented and fire safety standards are maintained. Think of the FRA as the strategy and the audit as the compliance check.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Treating the fire risk assessment as a one-off document — FRAs must be reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur
Conducting fire safety audits but never updating the underlying FRA — audits check compliance against the FRA, but the FRA itself must be kept current
Relying on free generic FRA templates without site-specific adaptation — the responsible person is legally accountable for the quality of the assessment
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who can carry out a fire risk assessment?↓
The responsible person can carry out the FRA themselves if they have sufficient competence. For simple, low-risk premises (small offices, single-story retail), a trained owner/manager can complete it. For complex premises (multi-story buildings, premises with sleeping accommodation, care homes, high-risk industrial sites), a third-party qualified assessor (BAFE SP205 or IFE-accredited) is recommended.
How often must a fire risk assessment be reviewed?↓
UK law does not specify a fixed review interval, but guidance recommends annual review as a minimum. Review is mandatory after: significant structural changes, changes to occupancy or use, a fire or near-miss, after a fire safety inspection by the fire authority, or when the responsible person changes.
What happens if premises fail a fire safety audit?↓
An internal fire safety audit finding non-compliance should trigger corrective actions and a timeline for remediation. If the local fire authority (Fire and Rescue Service) conducts an inspection and finds non-compliance, they can issue an Enforcement Notice (requiring action within a specified time) or a Prohibition Notice (immediate prohibition of use of part or all of the premises). Serious offences can result in unlimited fines and imprisonment.