Changes matter as well as dates
For England and Wales, government guidance explains that there is no single specified legal review interval. The assessment must remain current. A reason to doubt its validity or a significant change should prompt a review. Do not wait for a diary reminder if circumstances have already changed.
Use change as a prompt to ask questions
Think about a new tenant, altered working hours, different storage arrangements or a change to the people using the building. These examples are prompts for discussion, not a complete legal test. Ask whether the existing findings still describe the premises and whether the precautions remain appropriate.
A review needs a record
An internal note saying that nothing has changed is only useful if somebody has checked that it is true. Record who considered the assessment, when they did so and why they reached their conclusion. Where competent advice is needed, retain that advice with the relevant version of the report.
Separate report review from routine checks
An alarm test or an equipment service serves a particular purpose. It should not be mistaken for a review of all the assumptions in your fire risk assessment. Keep these activities connected in your records while being clear about what each one covers.
Agree a workable process
Put a planned review date in the diary, identify who owns it and establish how staff report changes between reviews. Ask your assessor to explain a suitable review approach for your building. If they suggest a frequency, ask what features of the premises inform that recommendation.
Source links checked: 16 October 2026. Practical examples and commissioning questions are editorial explanations.