Fire Risk Assessment Template: Complete Guide for UK & Ireland

Anyone responsible for a business premises in the UK or Ireland knows the weight of fire safety compliance. The core task — a fire risk assessment — is a five‑step process that becomes manageable with a well‑designed template and a methodical approach. Whether you’re in England, Scotland, Wales, or Ireland, the steps are similar, but the legal details differ in important ways.

Legal requirement in England and Wales since: 2006 (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) ·
Legal requirement in Scotland since: 2006 (Fire (Scotland) Act 2005) ·
Legal requirement in Ireland under: Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003 ·
Standard structure: 5 steps defined by UK government

The following quick-reference table captures the core legal milestones and structural parameters.

How do I write a fire risk assessment?

Writing a fire risk assessment means working through a five‑step framework established by UK fire safety legislation and adapted in Ireland under the Fire Services Acts. The process is methodical: you work through each step, using a template to record findings.

1. Identify fire hazards – Sources of ignition: electrical equipment, naked flames, heaters; sources of fuel: flammable liquids, paper, textiles, waste; sources of oxygen: ventilation, air conditioning, oxygen cylinders.)
2. Identify people at risk – Employees, visitors, customers, contractors; people with disabilities, elderly, children, those with special needs; anyone who may be alone or in isolated areas.
3. Evaluate, remove or reduce risks – Remove hazards where possible; reduce risks by installing fire doors, maintaining escape routes, providing extinguishers; protect people with fire alarms, emergency lighting, signage.
4. Record findings and prepare an emergency plan – Write down significant findings and actions taken; prepare a fire emergency plan – evacuation routes, assembly points, roles; instruct and train staff.
5. Review and update regularly – Review after any significant change; at least annually is recommended; keep the assessment up to date.

The implication: using this ordered structure ensures no step is missed, and each finding is traceable.

What are the 5 steps of a fire risk assessment?

These five steps are mandated by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for England and Wales, and mirrored in equivalent legislation across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. They form the backbone of every official template.

Step 1: Identify fire hazards

• Look for ignition sources, fuel, and oxygen.
• Source: GOV.UK (Home Office) 5‑step checklist

Step 2: Identify people at risk

• Everyone who may be affected, especially vulnerable individuals.

Step 3: Evaluate, remove or reduce risks

• Decide what measures are needed to prevent fire and keep people safe.

Step 4: Record findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training

• Document everything. A written record is required if you have five or more employees (UK). From 1 October 2023, a full written record is required regardless of size (Dorset & Wiltshire FRS).

Step 5: Review and update regularly

• Check periodically and after any major change.

The catch: even a perfect checklist is worthless if not reviewed and kept current with the premises.

Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement in Ireland?

Yes, under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, every employer, owner, or occupier of a premises (other than a single private dwelling) must carry out a fire risk assessment. The requirement is enforced by local fire authorities.

Applicable legislation in Ireland

• Fire Services Act 1981 (as amended)
• Fire Services Act 2003
• Associated regulations and local authority bylaws
• Source: State Claims Ireland (fire safety law summary)

Who is responsible?

• The “responsible person” – the employer, owner, or occupier
• They must arrange for a fire risk assessment to be carried out by a competent person

Penalties for non-compliance

• Failure to comply can result in fines, imprisonment, or both
• Enforcement is through the local fire authority

The pattern: Irish responsible persons face the same legal weight as their UK counterparts – no room for shortcuts.

What are the four types of fire risk assessment?

These types apply specifically to purpose‑built blocks of flats, defined by the Local Government Association (LGA) guidance in England.

Type 1 – Common parts of a building (non‑destructive)

• Inspection of common areas without opening up construction
• Most common for low‑risk blocks

Type 2 – Common parts of a building (destructive)

• Involves opening up cavities to check fire‑stopping and structure
• Used when there is reason to suspect hidden fire risks

Type 3 – Common parts and individual dwellings (non‑destructive)

• Extends inspection into sample flats (by invitation)
• Non‑destructive – no opening of construction

Type 4 – Common parts and individual dwellings (destructive)

• Comprehensive inspection including destructive sampling
• Used for high‑risk or complex buildings

For most business premises or simple buildings, a Type 1 assessment using a standard template is sufficient.

Can anyone do a fire risk assessment?

The law requires the person conducting the assessment to be competent – having sufficient training, experience, and knowledge of fire safety. For simple, low‑risk premises, a responsible person may self‑assess using a template.

Competent person definition

• Sufficient training and knowledge of fire safety
• Understanding of the premises and activities
• Ability to identify hazards and evaluate risks
• Source: Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (competence requirements)

Training and experience required

• No mandatory qualification for simple premises
• Experience counts – familiarity with the type of building and its uses

When to use a professional

• Complex or high‑risk premises (e.g., care homes, schools, factories)
• If you lack time or confidence
• Professional assessors with third‑party accreditation (e.g., IFE, BAFE, IFSM) are recommended

What this means: the decision to self‑assess or hire a professional should be based on premises complexity, not budget alone.

Comparison: Fire risk assessment legal frameworks across UK and Ireland

Four jurisdictions, one core method — but the legal details vary in key ways. This table shows the differences at a glance.

The implication: a single template can cover all four jurisdictions if it includes the five‑step framework and places to record jurisdiction‑specific references.

How to fill out a fire risk assessment template step by step

Using the official GOV.UK 5‑step checklist as a base, here is a practical walkthrough.

Step 1: Fill in your premises details

• Name, address, description of premises, number of floors, use

Step 2: Identify fire hazards

• Walk through every area. Note sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen.

Step 3: Identify people at risk

• List all occupant types and their locations. Add vulnerable groups.

Step 4: Evaluate existing fire safety measures

• Check alarms, escape routes, extinguishers, lighting, signage.

Step 5: Record actions and risk reduction measures

• Write down what you will do, by whom, and by when.

Step 6: Document your emergency plan

• Include evacuation procedures, roles, assembly points, and training needs.

Step 7: Sign and date

• The responsible person must sign and date the assessment.
• Source: Many templates include a signature block (e.g., NIFRS template).

The catch: skipping steps or rushing through leaves gaps that could invalidate the assessment.

The pattern: the core legal duties are well-established, but local enforcement nuances remain open to interpretation.

Expert perspectives on using a fire risk assessment template

A fire risk assessment is an organised and methodical look at your premises, the activities carried on there, and the likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the premises.

GOV.UK (Home Office) – Fire safety guidance

This template has been provided to assist small businesses in completing a fire safety risk assessment. It is suitable for use in simple premises, with a simple layout.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service – template note

For a small business owner or landlord in the UK or Ireland, the choice is clear: use a free, official template from your local fire authority or the national government, fill it out honestly, review it annually, and keep it signed and dated. That single document can satisfy your legal duty – or the consequences of neglecting it can be life‑altering.

Related reading: Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service – Fire Risk Assessments · Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – Fire Risk Assessment Guidance

To understand the legal obligations fully, it helps to first grasp the general risk assessment process outlined in the companion guide.

Frequently asked questions