Here’s a question I get asked all the time by business owners across Surrey — from Guildford to Woking, Farnham to Camberley: “How often do I need to review my fire risk assessment?”
And it’s a fair question.
Because while getting an initial Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a legal requirement, it’s not a one-and-done job you can file away and forget about.
Fire risk assessments are living documents.
They need updating, reviewing, and revisiting whenever something changes. The law doesn’t give you an exact date, but it does give you clear direction.
Let’s break that down, in plain English.
The Law Says It’s “Regular” — But What Does That Mean?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, you, as the Responsible Person, must ensure that your fire risk assessment is both suitable and sufficient — and kept up to date.
That phrase “kept up to date” is where most people trip up. It doesn’t mean you can tick it off once and forget about it.
If you change your business, your building, or your people, the risks change too. And when the risks change, so should your assessment.
So while there’s no exact legal timetable, Surrey Fire & Rescue Service recommends reviewing your fire risk assessment at least once a year — and sooner if anything significant happens.
You can read their official guidance here: Surrey Fire & Rescue – Business Fire Safety.
When You Must Review Your Fire Risk Assessment
Here are a few real-world examples of when your FRA needs updating:
• You’ve changed the layout. Maybe you added new partitions, moved desks, or converted part of the shop into storage. Those changes affect escape routes and fire load.
• You’ve got new equipment. A new oven, a set of servers, a bigger machine – all of these increase heat or electrical load, which changes your fire profile.
• You’ve changed how the space is used. What was once an office is now a workshop. Or maybe you’re subletting a unit. Different activities mean different risks.
• You’ve taken on more staff. More people mean more potential for accidents, more responsibility, and possibly longer evacuation times.
• You’ve had a fire or near miss. If anything’s gone wrong — even a small electrical fire — you must review the assessment immediately.
• There’s been a change in legislation or standards. For example, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced extra duties for high-rise and multi-occupied buildings, including fire door checks and sharing information with residents.
If you tick any of those boxes, your FRA should be reviewed right now — not next year.
Annual Review: The Golden Rule
Even if nothing changes, you should still schedule a review every 12 months.
Why? Because buildings evolve, people move, and little issues creep in unnoticed.
Fire doors swell and stop closing properly. Lighting batteries fail. Extinguishers go missing. And the logbook? Often looks more like a blank notebook than a record.
An annual review keeps you compliant — but more importantly, it keeps your building and the people inside it safe.
Think of it like a MOT for your fire safety. You wouldn’t drive your car for three years without a check, so don’t do it with your building.
Who Should Carry Out the Review?
Technically, the Responsible Person can do it — but unless you’re a trained fire risk assessor, it’s easy to miss critical details.
That’s why most Surrey businesses choose a professional, independent fire risk assessor. Someone who knows BS 9999, BS 5839, and BS 5266 inside out, and who can spot problems before they become expensive mistakes.
If you’re unsure who qualifies as competent, check out the Fire Sector Federation’s National Competence Register.
What Happens If You Don’t Review It?
This is where it gets serious.
If an incident happens and your assessment is outdated, you’re still legally responsible. Surrey Fire & Rescue can issue enforcement or prohibition notices — and in some cases, prosecutions follow.
It’s not scare tactics. It’s happening. Businesses in Guildford, Woking, and Epsom have all faced fines in the last few years for failing to maintain fire safety documentation.
Neglecting your FRA is like ignoring a leak in your roof. It doesn’t seem urgent… until the ceiling comes down.
Your Surrey Fire Risk Review Checklist
If you’re running a business or managing a property in Surrey, here’s a simple checklist to keep yourself compliant:
✅ Review your fire risk assessment every year
✅ Review immediately after any change to the building or staff
✅ Keep clear records of maintenance, tests, and fire drills
✅ Make sure your emergency lighting, alarms, and signage are checked and serviced
✅ Use a qualified, competent assessor
Keeping It Simple
At Fire Risk Assessment Surrey, we work with local businesses, landlords and property managers across Guildford, Woking, Farnham, Camberley, and Epsom to keep fire safety simple and compliant.
We’ll help you stay one step ahead — no jargon, no nonsense, just solid advice and practical steps to keep your people safe and your paperwork up to scratch.
If it’s been more than a year since your last fire risk review, or you’ve made any changes, now’s the time to get it sorted.
Book your Fire Risk Assessment Review in Surrey and let’s keep you compliant before Surrey Fire & Rescue comes knocking.
