A fire risk assessment should not be treated as a form to complete and file away. The right questions reveal how a fire could start, who may be at risk and whether people can leave safely if the worst happens. For duty holders, the best fire risk assessment questions turn a general obligation into clear actions for a safer, compliant workplace.
For most non-domestic premises in England and Wales, the responsible person must carry out and regularly review a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The assessment must reflect the building, its occupants and the way the site is actually used. A small office, a school, a care setting and a mixed-use commercial property will not have the same risks or controls.
Start with how the premises are used
What activities take place on site?
Begin with the everyday reality of the premises. Ask what work is carried out, at what times, and whether any activities introduce ignition sources or combustible materials. Kitchens, workshops, plant rooms, storage areas, charging stations and contractor work may all require closer consideration.
Also consider occasional activities. Building works, events, seasonal storage and changes in occupancy can alter the fire risk quickly. A site that is safe during normal office hours may need different controls when contractors are working, a function is taking place, or staff are working late.
Has anything changed since the last assessment?
A review is needed when there is reason to believe the assessment is no longer valid, not simply on a fixed timetable. Questions about new equipment, altered layouts, refurbishments, additional stock, changes to escape routes or a new use of a room are often more valuable than asking whether last year’s document has been signed.
This is particularly relevant where premises grow gradually. A corridor used for temporary storage can become restricted over time, while extra desks or partitions can change travel distances and visibility without anyone identifying the wider fire safety impact.
Identify how a fire could start and spread
What are the likely ignition sources?
Electrical faults, damaged appliances, overloaded extension leads, cooking equipment, smoking materials, hot works and poorly controlled heaters are common starting points. The question is not whether an ignition source exists – nearly every workplace has one – but whether it is appropriately maintained, used and kept away from fuel.
Portable Appliance Testing can support an organisation’s wider electrical safety arrangements, but it is not a fire risk assessment in itself. The assessor should consider the condition and use of equipment alongside fixed electrical installations, staff practices and housekeeping.
What could fuel a fire?
Paper, cardboard, packaging, waste, furniture, textiles, chemicals and flammable liquids all affect how quickly a fire can develop. Ask whether combustible materials are stored only where needed, kept away from ignition sources and removed regularly.
Waste management deserves particular attention. Overflowing bins, stored cardboard and external waste areas can create avoidable risk. Where flammable substances are present, the controls should be proportionate to the quantity, the method of storage and the task being undertaken.
Could fire or smoke spread through the building?
Fire doors, compartment walls, service penetrations and suspended ceilings all help contain fire and smoke. Ask whether fire doors close fully, latch correctly and are free from damage or unauthorised alterations. A wedged-open fire door may make movement easier during the day, but it can undermine the building’s protection when it is needed most.
It is also sensible to ask whether holes around pipes and cables have been properly sealed, particularly after IT, electrical or refurbishment work. These details are easily missed, yet they can affect compartmentation between rooms or floors.
Put people at the centre of the assessment
Who could be at risk if there is a fire?
The answer must include more than employees. Consider visitors, contractors, customers, cleaners, lone workers, people working outside normal hours and anyone unfamiliar with the building. The responsible person should also identify people who may need additional support, such as those with mobility, hearing, sight or cognitive impairments.
A generic answer is rarely enough. In a school, this may mean pupils, visitors and staff across changing timetables. In a healthcare setting, it may involve patients who cannot evacuate independently. The control measures need to match the people on site, not just the building plan.
Can everyone raise the alarm and understand what to do?
Ask whether the alarm can be heard or otherwise recognised in all occupied areas, including toilets, plant rooms, external workspaces and noisy environments. Staff must know how to raise the alarm, where to go and who is responsible for checking that people have left.
Training should be practical and repeated often enough to remain effective. Fire action notices, induction arrangements and drills all help, but they must reflect the actual evacuation procedure. If staff routinely use a different exit from the one shown in the plan, that discrepancy needs resolving.
Test escape arrangements with practical questions
Are escape routes available, clear and suitable?
This is one of the best fire risk assessment questions because it can uncover immediate issues. Are routes kept clear throughout the day, not just before an inspection? Do doors open in the direction of escape where required? Are final exits easy to open without a key, code or specialist knowledge?
The route must also be suitable for the number and type of people who may need to use it. A narrow route, a staircase used for storage, poor lighting or a locked gate can all delay evacuation. The assessment should consider where people are likely to be when the alarm sounds and how they will reach a place of ultimate safety.
Is emergency lighting adequate and maintained?
If normal lighting fails during a fire, people still need to find their way out. Ask whether emergency lighting covers escape routes, changes of direction, stairs, fire alarm call points, firefighting equipment and final exits where needed. Regular testing and prompt repair of faults are essential.
The same applies to signs. Fire exit signs should be visible, accurate and positioned to guide people through the route they will actually take. Signage is not a substitute for a clear route, but it supports safe evacuation where the route is not obvious.
Check the systems that support your fire strategy
Are fire detection and alarm arrangements appropriate?
The required level of detection depends on the premises and the fire strategy. Ask whether manual call points are accessible, detectors are suitable for the environment and tests are recorded. Frequent false alarms should not be ignored, as they can lead people to delay or disregard an evacuation.
A competent service provider can help ensure alarm testing, servicing and records are managed correctly. However, the duty holder should still understand what the system is intended to achieve and ensure staff know their responsibilities.
Are the correct extinguishers provided and maintained?
Fire extinguishers should suit the risks present, be positioned where people can reach them safely and receive regular servicing. Ask whether staff have been given appropriate instruction, while remembering that evacuation is normally the priority. No one should be expected to tackle a fire unless it is safe to do so and they have been trained.
The wrong type of extinguisher can be ineffective or dangerous. For example, electrical equipment, cooking oils and flammable liquids may require different provisions. This is why extinguisher selection should follow the site-specific assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Turn answers into accountable action
What needs fixing, who owns it and by when?
An assessment is only useful if its findings lead to action. Record significant findings, identify the measures needed and assign each action to a named person with a realistic deadline. Urgent issues, such as blocked exits, defective fire doors or missing alarm coverage, should be addressed without delay.
Some improvements are straightforward housekeeping tasks. Others may require specialist inspection, repair or investment. The key is to distinguish between immediate risks and planned improvements without allowing either to be forgotten.
Are inspections, tests and reviews being recorded?
Records demonstrate that fire safety arrangements are being managed rather than assumed. Keep evidence of alarm tests, emergency lighting checks, extinguisher servicing, fire door inspections, staff training, drills and completed remedial work. Clear records also make handovers easier when premises managers or responsible persons change.
For larger, more complex or higher-risk sites, the assessment may need greater detail and input from a competent fire risk assessor. Janus Safety Solutions can support businesses with professional, site-specific fire safety services planned around operational needs and minimal disruption.
The most useful question to ask after every assessment is simple: if the alarm sounded now, could every person on site recognise the danger, leave by a safe route and be accounted for? If the answer is anything less than a confident yes, it is time to act.