Fire Risk Assessments: What Councils Must Now Record

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April 15, 2026

Fire Risk Assessments: What Councils Must Now Record

Fire risk assessments (FRAs) are no longer just a compliance formality. Recent changes in UK legislation mean they must now be more detailed, consistent, and defensible than ever.

For local authorities managing large and complex property portfolios, this shift is creating a clear challenge:

👉 How do you ensure every FRA stands up to scrutiny?

What's Changed?

Under the regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, many organisations recorded only “significant findings.”

However, updates introduced through the Building Safety Act 2022 have raised the bar.

Councils must now clearly record:

  • Full fire risk assessment findings (not summaries)
  • The Responsible Person
  • Evidence of competent persons carrying out assessments
  • Fire safety arrangements (maintenance, evacuation, training)
  • A clear audit trail of actions and outcomes

👉 In short: FRAs must now function as robust legal documents.

Why Councils Are Feeling the Pressure

Across local authorities, we commonly see: 

Inconsistent FRA formats across departments

Difficulty evidencing assessor competence

Unclear ownership of fire safety responsibilities

Backlogs in remedial actions

With increased scrutiny from enforcing authorities, these gaps can quickly become compliance risks.

Why Councils Are Feeling the Pressure

Fire safety consultancy is no longer just external support; it’s becoming a practical solution to growing complexity.

A competent consultant can help:

  • Standardise FRA reporting across your portfolio
  • Ensure alignment with current legislation
  • Provide evidence of competence
  • A clear, defensible audit trail

👉 Ultimately, it reduces risk while helping councils focus limited internal resources where they’re needed most.

Final Thought

The question for councils is no longer: 

❌ “Do we have fire risk assessments?”

But: 

✔ “Are they detailed, consistent, and defensible?”

If not, it may be time to rethink your current approach is enough.

Need Further Support?

At Assured Fire Safety Consultancy we support local authorities with: 

Get in touch to see how we can help you stay compliant—without adding unnecessary pressure to your team.

Need support with your fire strategy? Contact us today

Ensure your buildings are protected when it matters most, schedule a fire safety compliance review today.

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