Validity
How long does a Fire Risk Assessment last?
There's no statutory expiry date — but an FRA is only valid for as long as it stays 'suitable and sufficient'. Here's how that works in practice.
The short answer
An FRA doesn't expire on a fixed date. The Fire Safety Order requires it to remain suitable and sufficient. That means three things in practice:
- An annual review as a minimum
- An immediate review after any significant change
- A fresh full assessment typically every 3 to 5 years
Why most assessors set a 3–5 year refresh
Even with diligent annual reviews, small cumulative changes — equipment swap-outs, staffing changes, partition tweaks, occupancy drift — eventually erode the original assessment's accuracy. A fresh on-site walk-through every 3–5 years catches drift before it becomes non-compliance.
When you need a new FRA sooner
- Change of building use or tenant
- Layout alterations, new compartmentation, building works
- Material change in occupant numbers or type (e.g. converting an office to a HMO)
- New significant equipment, processes or storage
- A fire, near-miss, or trend of false alarms
- Changes in legislation or guidance (e.g. the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022)
What licensing and insurance expect
HMO and other licensing authorities often expect to see an FRA dated within the last 12 months. Buildings insurance commonly requires a current FRA — older documents may be queried at renewal or after a claim.
Our default cycle
For most clients we set a calendar reminder for an annual review and a full re-assessment at the 3-year mark, brought forward whenever significant change is reported.
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