PAS 79 Fire Risk Assessment London — PAS 79-1 + 79-2

PAS 79 is the BSI-published Publicly Available Specification for fire risk assessment methodology. The 2020 revision split it into PAS 79-1 (general premises) and PAS 79-2 (housing). Both follow the same 9-step methodology and both are recognised by the Fire Industry Association as the benchmark for "competent person" under Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

PAS 79-1:2020 applies to general premises — commercial, industrial, retail, mixed-use. PAS 79-2:2020 applies to housing — HMOs, converted blocks, sheltered housing. Mixed-use buildings (commercial ground floor with residential above) need both, scoped per use class. We assess and apply the correct standard at the scoping call.

Insurer claim handlers in 2026 routinely reject claims where the FRA either names a non-PAS 79 methodology or cannot evidence the assessor's competence. The post-Grenfell Hackitt review explicitly named PAS 79 as the minimum acceptable methodology for housing FRAs. An FRA that does not name PAS 79 on the cover page is treated as a non-recognised methodology and may be used as evidence of negligence on a claim.

Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to appoint a "competent person" to carry out the FRA. Competence is demonstrated by qualification (IFSM, IFE, NEBOSH Fire Cert), experience and current knowledge of PAS 79. A landlord doing their own FRA without these qualifications remains the responsible person but cannot evidence competence under enforcement.

(1) Acquire information about the premises and the people. (2) Identify fire hazards. (3) Assess the likelihood of fire. (4) Determine people at risk. (5) Evaluate fire detection and warning. (6) Evaluate means of escape. (7) Evaluate emergency lighting, signage and firefighting equipment. (8) Record findings and produce an action plan. (9) Review periodically. Every step is documented in the report with photographs and regulatory citations.

A 5-bed HMO typically takes 2–3 hours on site plus 4–6 hours report-writing. A small commercial unit takes 3 hours on site plus 6–8 hours report-writing. A communal block FRA takes 4–6 hours on site plus 10–14 hours report-writing. We deliver the written report within 5 working days of the site visit.

Reviewed annually under Article 9(3) of the RRO 2005, and fully rewritten on any material change — new tenants, building works, change of use, change in occupancy. The annual review is a £115 service that updates the action plan and re-signs the competent-person declaration. A full rewrite is required where the building has changed materially.

The PAS 79 risk evaluation uses a 5x5 matrix where likelihood (1 = remote, 5 = very likely) is multiplied by consequence (1 = slight, 5 = catastrophic) to produce a risk score from 1 to 25. Scores 1–6 are tolerable, 7–12 require action, 13+ require immediate action. Every identified hazard is scored on the matrix and prioritised on the action plan accordingly.

The responsible person under the RRO 2005 must complete the action plan in accordance with the priorities set out by the assessor. Where remedials are not completed and a fire occurs, the responsible person faces unlimited fines and up to 2 years' imprisonment for a serious breach. The London Fire Brigade enforcement team prosecutes 30–50 cases per year under the RRO 2005, almost all on uncompleted FRA action plans.

HRBs under the Building Safety Act 2022 (above 18m or 7 storeys) require additional scope under the BSA gateway regime — golden-thread documentation, accountable-person duties and BSR registration. The PAS 79-2 FRA still applies but sits inside a wider safety case under the BSA. We scope HRB-adjacent work accordingly and refer to specialist BSA consultants where the building is fully in HRB scope.