How Long Does a Fire Risk Assessment Last, and How Long Does a Fire Risk Assessment Take

Fire safety compliance is one of the most important legal duties for anyone responsible for a building. It protects people, supports insurance cover and ensures your organisation can continue operating without interruption.

Two of the most common questions we hear are “How long does a fire risk assessment last?”, and “How long does a fire risk assessment take?”. The answers are not fixed dates or simple numbers, but they are very clear once you understand how the law works.

What the Law Requires

In England and Wales, fire risk assessments are required under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005. This legislation places a legal duty on the responsible person to identify fire hazards, assess risk and put appropriate fire safety measures in place.

There is no expiry date written into the law. Instead, fire risk assessments must be kept up to date and reviewed whenever something changes that could affect fire safety. The Fire Safety Act 2021 and later regulations have reinforced the importance of accurate, current records and ongoing management of fire risk.

In simple terms, a fire risk assessment lasts only as long as it still reflects what is happening inside your building.

What Makes a Fire Risk Assessment Stop Being Valid

A fire risk assessment needs to be reviewed when there is any material change that could affect how a fire would start, spread or how people would escape. This includes:

• Building alterations or refurbishments

• Changes in occupancy or how the building is used

• New equipment, machinery or processes

• Changes to fire detection, alarms or protection systems

• Incidents or near misses

• New guidance from enforcing authorities

• After a suitable period of time has passed (for example, annually)

If any of these happen, the existing assessment may no longer be suitable, even if it was completed recently.

How Long Does a Fire Risk Assessment Take

The time required depends on how complex the building is and how it is used.

Smaller offices or retail units may take a few hours to assess. Larger or more complex premises, such as hospitals, care homes, industrial sites or multi-use buildings, can take several days. What matters is that the assessor has enough time to understand how people actually use the space, how fire protection systems work in practice and where real risks exist.

Rushing an assessment increases the chance of missing something that could later lead to enforcement action or insurance problems.

If you want certainty rather than assumptions, speak to Zeta’s fire safety experts for clear, professional guidance on your current fire risk position.

Why Different Industries Have Different Requirements

Healthcare Sector

Hospitals, clinics and care homes have vulnerable occupants and complex evacuation needs. Fire risk assessments take longer and must be reviewed more often due to changing layouts, equipment and patient needs.

Construction and Refurbishment

Live construction and refurbishment sites change constantly. Temporary walls, new materials and changing escape routes mean fire risk assessments must be updated frequently as the site evolves.

Commercial and Public Buildings

Offices, schools, warehouses and retail spaces vary widely. Some remain stable for years, others change frequently. The more a building changes, the more often the fire risk assessment must be reviewed.

What Happens If a Fire Risk Assessment Is Out of Date

An out-of-date or inaccurate fire risk assessment can lead to:

• Enforcement notices from fire authorities

• Fines or prosecution

• Restrictions on building use

• Problems with insurance claims or policy validity

• Increased risk to occupants

Keeping your fire risk assessment current is not just a paperwork exercise. It directly affects safety, compliance and business continuity.

How Zeta Supports Ongoing Fire Safety

Zeta delivers professional fire risk assessments carried out by competent specialists who understand how buildings are actually used. We provide:

• Detailed site assessments

• Clear, prioritised recommendations

• Digital records through ZetaSafe

• Ongoing visibility of actions and compliance status

• Integration with Legionella and water safety services

• Training to help staff understand their responsibilities

This turns fire risk assessment into an actively managed process rather than a static document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a new fire risk assessment every year?

There is no legal requirement to repeat it every year, but many organisations choose to review it annually as good practice. A new or updated assessment is required whenever there is a significant change to the building, its use or its fire safety arrangements.

What happens if my fire risk assessment is out of date?

An out-of-date assessment can lead to enforcement action by the fire authority, problems with insurance cover and increased risk to occupants. In serious cases, it can result in fines, prosecution or restrictions on how a building can be used.

Who is responsible for a fire risk assessment?

The responsible person, usually the building owner, employer or managing agent, is legally required to ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is in place and kept up to date.

Can one company manage both fire and water risk?

Yes. Zeta provides fire risk assessment alongside Legionella risk assessment, water monitoring, testing, digital compliance and training. This allows organisations to manage multiple life safety risks through one coordinated compliance framework rather than separate suppliers.

Get Clear on Your Fire Risk Position

If you do not know whether your fire risk assessment still reflects how your building is being used, it is worth checking before an inspector or insurer does it for you. Zeta can assess your current position, update your fire risk assessment and give you a clear, evidence-based view of where you stand.

Speak to Zeta to understand what needs attention, what is already under control and how to keep fire safety managed properly going forward.