Fire risk assessor
The role of a fire risk assessor is integral to the management of any building or public space, ensuring the safety of property and the lives of those in it
As a fire risk assessor, you'll actively identify fire hazards and risks, record findings and advise on prevention measures. You'll identify people at risk, as well as evaluate, remove or reduce those risks. You'll also prepare emergency plans, deliver training, update and review fire risk assessments on a regular basis and inform and support health and safety managers in workplaces or public venues.
In this role, you have the potential to prevent loss of life and costly damage to property, while also ensuring that premises with public access meet legal requirements.
Fire safety is a legal responsibility for anyone in control of premises used for work or public services, including employers, landlords and occupiers. Fire risk assessors follow strict government and industry guidelines to ensure compliance with key regulations.
Responsibilities
As a fire risk assessor, you'll need to:
- follow fire safety legislation and guidelines set by government and fire and rescue services
- identify hazards and assess the likelihood and severity of fire risk, and stay updated with changes to fire-safety regulations
- work with fire services, facilities managers, surveyors, fire engineers and landlords to develop and implement fire plans
- provide fire safety advice both verbally and via detailed written reports that include action plans
- take responsibility for your continuing professional development (CPD) to keep up with regulatory changes
- produce in-depth, digitally recorded reports and basic diagrams following assessments
- deliver fire safety training, where required
- update training, keep current with regulations, and revisit sites to review implemented measures.
Salary
- Entry-level fire risk assessor roles are typically between £28,500 and £32,500.
- Experienced assessors can earn £40,000 to £65,000.
- The average daily rate for contracts is £291 a day, while some charge £300 to £350 per day.
Working for a local authority, housing association or consultancy usually includes benefits like a pension, paid leave, hybrid working, professional membership funding and sometimes a vehicle or allowance.
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Working hours
Working hours are generally 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You'll need to travel to different sites to carry out assessments and occasional overnight stays may be necessary, depending on the location. You'll have time allocated in your week to write up assessment reports.
The work can be quite flexible, allowing you to manage your own time and workload. It's usually possible to work either full or part time.
If you work for a consultancy firm dealing with fire protection, you may be expected to work from home and not have an office base. Fire risk assessors working for an organisation will be based in the offices of their organisation.
What to expect
- You'll travel to different sites (new builds and established properties) and meet a wide range of people, advising building managers and occupants on the fire risk measures to put in place and training building occupants about fire safety.
- You'll spend significant time onsite, with some time spent at a computer to write up detailed reports.
- Keeping up to date with training and current regulations is an important part of the role and you may need to go back to a property to review the measures put in place after a set time.
- Appropriate PPE must be worn on site, but you can usually dress casually in the office and other locations.
- The role is gender neutral and open to all.
Qualifications
A degree is not necessary for a career as a fire risk assessor, but it can be helpful, especially if it's in a relevant subject such as building surveying or health and safety.
Most entrants take vocational courses in fire safety or risk assessment, such as the:
- Level 3
- - Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment and Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment
- range of Level 2, 3 and 4 qualifications in fire safety offered by the .
All fire risk assessors should be familiar with the relevant core fire safety legislation:
- England and Wales: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England and Wales)
- the Building Safety Act 2022
- the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
- Scotland: Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and supporting Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
- Northern Ireland: Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
Roles involving vulnerable people require a DBS check.
For more information about fire safety, available training and the resources available to members, .
Many fire safety qualifications are recognised globally, especially NEBOSH, but you should check the local equivalence of any certification you hold if you want to work abroad.
Skills
You'll need to have:
- strong attention to detail
- effective verbal communication
- high-quality written report skills
- analytical and quantitative aptitude
- technical understanding of fire safety and building materials
- commercial awareness to understand client risks and motivations
- IT competence in applications such as Word, Outlook and Excel
- ability to prioritise workloads to meet deadlines
- excellent organisational skills
- ability to work independently using initiative
- understanding of fire dynamics, heat transfer and smoke behaviour
- a valid driving licence for site visits.
Work experience
Experience in estates maintenance, facilities or safety management is useful and can be a good way into the career.
You may be able to arrange shadowing a fire risk assessor by contacting them directly to ask if you can observe an assessment, and this will give you valuable insight into the role.
Fire safety apprenticeships, such as and offer hands-on technical experience and provide valuable preparation for a future assessor role.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Employers
Following recommendations made in the Hackitt Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety (2018), there is an increasing demand for qualified fire risk professionals in the UK.
You can work in an employed position or in a self-employed consultancy capacity.
Common employers include:
- local authorities (including schools public sector buildings) and housing associations
- charities managing social housing
- property management firms
- construction companies - where assessors are required to assess the development of new sites
- heritage organisations - including the National Trust and English Heritage
- fire and rescue services
- hospitals other healthcare premises.
Look for job vacancies at:
- - advertises vacancies and has an online directory of IFE registered members professionals, including fire risk assessors
- local authorities
- company/contractor websites
- LinkedIn.
Recruitment agencies specialising in fire risk assessor jobs, such as .
Working overseas is also a realistic option, particularly in the Middle East, in countries such as UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and in construction, mining or industrial safety roles in Australia and New Zealand. There are also opportunities in offshore and marine sectors, working on oil rigs and ships.
Professional development
CPD (continuing professional development) is essential to keep pace with evolving legislation and insights from fire incidents.
The IFE offers short courses in specialist areas such as asbestos, high-rise buildings, evacuation planning.
Fire risk assessors can work towards gaining recognition on the IFE's .
Career prospects
Once you've gained experience as a fire risk assessor, you could progress to the role of a senior consultant, team leader or manager. You could also progress into a fire engineer role but would need to take further qualifications to do so.
Maintaining your professional development is essential for progression in this sector.