Inspection frequencies
Not sure how often you should renew your fire inspection?
The short answer is that “fire inspection” can mean several different things. A fire risk assessment, extinguisher service, commercial fire-alarm inspection and domestic smoke-alarm test do not share one universal renewal date.
Ask which document, system or item of equipment needs reviewing, who is responsible for it and whether anything has changed since the previous assessment or test.
Fire risk assessments
For premises covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales, the assessment must be reviewed regularly and when there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or there has been a significant change. The legislation does not impose one universal annual expiry date.
Many organisations adopt a scheduled annual review as good management, but the appropriate interval depends on the premises, occupancy, hazards and previous findings. A fresh review should not wait for the diary where there has been a fire, major alteration, change of use, new vulnerable occupants, changed staffing or working practices, or evidence that controls are failing.
Typical testing and review pattern
| Measure | Typical management pattern | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Fire risk assessment | Review regularly and after relevant change; many organisations schedule an annual review. | No single statutory expiry date applies to every premises. |
| Portable extinguishers | Routine user checks plus competent maintenance commonly no less frequently than annually, with other service activity according to the current standard and extinguisher type. | A visual workplace check is not the same as competent servicing. |
| Non-domestic fire alarm | Routine user tests and periodic competent inspection under the applicable system standard, risk and maintenance arrangement. | BS 5839-1 system maintenance is different from testing a domestic smoke alarm. |
| Domestic smoke alarms | Regular resident or user testing, commonly monthly, plus landlord checks and prompt repair or replacement where duties apply. | Testing frequency, landlord legal duties and product replacement life are separate questions. |
When should you bring a review forward?
- The building layout, use or occupancy changes.
- Construction or refurbishment affects escape routes, compartmentation or detection.
- A fire, false alarm pattern or near miss exposes a weakness.
- New dangerous substances, equipment or work processes are introduced.
- A person at particular risk begins using the premises.
- Equipment is missing, damaged, isolated, overdue or repeatedly defective.
- An enforcing authority, insurer or competent adviser identifies concern.
What should you keep?
Retain the assessment and review record, alarm and extinguisher logs, defects, repairs, certificates, drill records and evidence that significant findings were acted on. A service label by itself does not explain the full condition of a system or prove that every required action was completed.
Need a clear answer for your building?
Tell us the premises type, postcode, last assessment date and which systems you need checked. We can distinguish an assessment review from equipment testing and scope the correct visit.