PAS 79-1:2020 Fire Risk Assessment Checklist

Use this PAS 79-1:2020 Fire Risk Assessment Checklist to audit offices, retail, warehouses, schools and other commercial buildings in the UK for fire hazards, escape routes, etc.

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PAS 79-1:2020 Fire Risk Assessment Checklist



Premises Information And Scope

1. The premises type is confirmed and recorded (e.g. office, retail unit, warehouse, school, care home, hotel, industrial unit, place of worship).


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2. The number of storeys, approximate floor area, and construction type are documented (e.g. masonry, steel frame, timber frame).


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3. Any external cladding or facade materials are identified and noted, including whether a separate external wall appraisal (PAS 9980) is required.


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4. The typical number of occupants during peak and off-peak periods is recorded, including day, evening, and overnight occupancy where relevant.


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5. The responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is identified by name and role.


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6. The scope of the assessment is defined, including any areas excluded and the reasons for exclusion.


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7. For mixed-use buildings containing residential flats on upper levels, the residential element is identified as falling under BS 9792:2025 rather than PAS 79-1:2020.


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8. The date of the assessment and the planned next review date are recorded.


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Previous Assessment And Prior Fire History

1. A copy of any previous fire risk assessment has been reviewed and its findings and actions considered.


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2. Any outstanding actions from a previous assessment are recorded along with their current status.


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3. Any prior fire incidents, near-misses, or fire service enforcement notices at the premises are noted and their impact on current risk considered.


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Sources Of Ignition

1. The electrical installation has a current Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) in line with BS 7671, and any unsatisfactory items are identified as actions.


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2. Portable electrical appliances used on the premises are subject to a formal inspection and testing regime appropriate to the risk level and use frequency.


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3. Heating systems (boilers, gas heaters, electric heating) are serviced in line with manufacturer and regulatory requirements and positioned away from combustible materials.


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4. Cooking equipment (where present) is subject to regular cleaning, particularly grease traps and extraction systems, and is never left unattended during operation.


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5. A smoking policy is in place, designated smoking areas are away from the building and combustible materials, and suitable receptacles are provided for cigarette disposal.


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6. Arson risk is assessed: access to the building is controlled, external areas are well lit, and combustible materials are not stored against the building facade.


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7. A hot works permit system is in operation for any contractor activities involving cutting, grinding, welding, or open-flame work on the premises.


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8. Lightning protection is assessed where the building height, construction, or use warrants it, and records of inspection are available where a system is installed.


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9. Any other process-specific ignition sources (e.g. industrial machinery, chemical reactions, static discharge) are identified and their controls assessed.


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Sources Of Fuel

1. Combustible materials in the workplace are stored in designated areas away from ignition sources and in quantities proportionate to operational need.


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2. Waste is removed from the building regularly and not allowed to accumulate in plant rooms, stairwells, or other risk areas.


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3. Flammable liquids and gases are stored in appropriate conditions (e.g. COSHH-compliant storage, limited quantities, no storage near ignition sources).


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4. Building materials and linings (insulation, ceiling tiles, wall panels) are assessed for combustibility, particularly in areas altered since original construction.


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5. Furnishings and soft materials in public areas comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations or equivalent, where applicable.


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6. Areas of higher fuel load (e.g. stationery stores, archive rooms, IT equipment rooms) are identified and their contribution to overall fire risk assessed.


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Sources Of Oxygen

1. Ventilation openings, ducts, and HVAC systems are assessed for their potential to accelerate fire or smoke spread.


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2. Fire dampers (where installed) are confirmed as serviceable and have been tested within the required interval, with records held on site.


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3. Any oxidising substances stored or used on the premises are identified, quantified, and stored in accordance with relevant regulations.


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People At Risk

1. All regular occupants (employees, contractors, shift workers) are identified, including those working outside normal hours.


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2. Visitors, members of the public, and others unfamiliar with the building and its escape routes are considered in the risk assessment.


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3. Vulnerable persons are identified, including those with mobility impairments, sensory impairments, cognitive conditions, or other factors that may affect their ability to respond to an alarm or evacuate without assistance.


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4. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are in place for all known disabled or mobility-impaired occupants who require them.


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5. Sleeping occupants are identified where the premises includes sleeping accommodation (e.g. hotel, hostel, boarding school, care home), and the elevated risk level is reflected in the assessment.


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6. Lone workers are considered, including their ability to raise the alarm and evacuate safely outside normal staffed hours.


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Means Of Escape

1. All escape routes from every part of the premises are identified, and their width and travel distances are assessed as adequate for the occupancy.


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2. Escape corridors, stairways, and final exit routes are free from obstructions and combustible storage at the time of inspection.


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3. All final exit doors can be opened immediately without a key from the inside, or are fitted with a compliant push-bar or panic hardware device.


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4. Where escape routes are shared with other occupiers or form part of a larger building, the adequacy of shared escape provision is assessed.


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5. Dead-end conditions are identified and assessed against acceptable travel distance limits for the building use and occupant type.


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6. External escape routes are assessed for surface condition, lighting, and any obstructions that could prevent safe evacuation to the assembly point.


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7. The assembly point is identified, signed, and located at a safe distance from the building.


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Fire Spread Limitation And Compartmentation

1. Compartment walls, floors, and ceilings are visually assessed for integrity, including any areas where alterations or installations may have introduced breaches.


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2. Service penetrations through fire-resisting elements (cable ducts, pipe runs, ventilation) are confirmed as appropriately fire-stopped.


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3. Ceiling voids, roof spaces, and risers are assessed for the presence of fire barriers and for any accumulated combustible material.


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4. Fire doors serving escape routes and protecting stairwells are assessed for integrity, including door leaf, frame, intumescent strips, cold smoke seals, and self-closing devices.


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5. All fire doors on escape routes close fully into the rebate under their own power from any open position.


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6. Any fire door held open by an unapproved device is identified and recorded as a deficiency requiring immediate action.


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7. External walls and roof constructions are noted for any materials that may contribute to surface spread of flame or fire penetration.


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Fire Detection And Warning

1. A fire detection and alarm system appropriate to the building type, occupancy, and risk level is installed and covers all relevant areas.


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2. The system type and category are identified and recorded (e.g. L1, L2, L3, M, per BS 5839-1).


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3. Manual call points are positioned at exits and in appropriate locations throughout the building and are accessible and unobstructed.


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4. The alarm is audible throughout all occupied areas of the building, including ancillary areas, plant rooms, and any areas with high ambient noise.


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5. The detection and alarm system has been serviced within the required period by a competent person, and a service record is held on site.


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6. Weekly alarm tests are being carried out, recorded in the fire safety log, and rotated across call points.


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7. Where a monitored alarm system is in place, the monitoring arrangement and response protocol are confirmed as current.


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Emergency Lighting

1. Emergency lighting is installed on all escape routes, at final exits, and in any area where loss of normal lighting would create a risk to occupants.


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2. Emergency lighting units are tested monthly (flick test) and annually (full-duration discharge test), with records held on site.


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3. Any failed or non-functioning emergency lighting units are identified and recorded as deficiencies requiring prompt remediation.


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4. Emergency lighting duration is appropriate to the building type and risk level (minimum one hour for most non-domestic premises, three hours for high-risk or sleeping occupancy).


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Fire Safety Signs And Notices

1. Fire exit signs (including directional signs and final exit signs) are present, correctly positioned, and legible throughout all escape routes.


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2. Fire action notices are posted at appropriate locations (e.g. beside call points, in reception areas, at lift landings) and accurately reflect the site-specific evacuation procedure.


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3. Fire door signs ("Fire door — keep shut" or "Fire door — keep locked shut") are present on all relevant fire doors.


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4. Firefighting equipment is signed to indicate type and location where it is not immediately visible.


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Firefighting Equipment

1. Portable fire extinguishers of the appropriate type and rating are provided in the correct locations for the identified hazards.


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2. All extinguishers have been serviced within the past 12 months in line with BS 5306-3 and carry a current service label with the date of service.


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3. Extinguishers are mounted at accessible heights, unobstructed, and in their designated positions.


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4. Any fire hose reels, dry risers, or wet risers present on the premises are confirmed as subject to the required inspection and testing regime and records are available.


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5. A sprinkler or suppression system (where present) is confirmed as operational, regularly tested, and maintained in line with BS EN 12845 or the relevant standard.


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Fire Safety Management

1. A documented fire safety policy or procedure is in place and reflects the current premises, occupancy, and evacuation strategy.


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2. A named fire safety manager or responsible person is designated with clear accountability for ongoing fire safety compliance.


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3. A fire evacuation plan specific to the premises is in place, is reviewed after any significant change, and is communicated to all relevant staff.


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4. All staff receive fire safety induction training on joining and refresher training at appropriate intervals, with records maintained.


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5. Fire drills are conducted at a frequency appropriate to the building use and occupancy (at minimum annually for most non-domestic premises), and outcomes are recorded and acted upon.


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6. A fire safety log book is maintained on site, recording all tests, inspections, drills, incidents, and maintenance activities.


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7. Maintenance schedules are in place for the fire alarm system, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, fire doors, and any fixed suppression systems.


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8. Contractor management procedures include a fire safety briefing and hot works permit process for any works that could affect fire safety.


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9. Arrangements are in place to ensure the fire risk assessment is reviewed annually or whenever there is reason to believe it is no longer valid (e.g. building alterations, change of use, significant changes in occupancy, following a fire incident).


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Risk Evaluation

1. Each identified hazard has been assessed for likelihood of ignition and potential consequence, resulting in a risk rating (e.g. trivial, tolerable, moderate, substantial, intolerable).


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2. The overall fire risk level for the premises is recorded with a supporting rationale based on the findings of the assessment.


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3. The risk evaluation distinguishes between the risk level before and after existing control measures are taken into account.


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Action Plan

1. All deficiencies identified during the assessment are recorded in an action plan with a clear description of the finding and the recommended remedial action.


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2. Each action is assigned a priority level (e.g. immediate, urgent, high, medium, low) proportionate to the risk it addresses.


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3. Each action is assigned a responsible person and a target completion date consistent with its priority.


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4. Immediate and urgent actions have been communicated to the responsible person at the time of the assessment.


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5. A process is in place to track completion of actions and update the assessment record accordingly.


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Assessor Details

1. The name, organisation, and relevant qualifications of the person who carried out the assessment are recorded.


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2. The assessor has sufficient training, knowledge, and experience of fire safety principles to conduct the assessment competently, in line with PAS 79-1:2020 requirements.


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3. Where a third-party accredited fire risk assessor was used, their accreditation scheme and registration number are recorded.


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