What is a PAS 79 fire risk assessment?
Published · Updated · 7 min read
PAS 79 is the British Standards Institution’s publicly available specification for fire risk assessment methodology. A PAS 79 fire risk assessment follows a structured, nine-step approach — from identifying fire hazards and people at risk through to a documented action plan — and produces a report that demonstrates the "suitable and sufficient" assessment required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Where PAS 79 fits in UK fire safety law
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) requires the responsible person for almost every non-domestic premises in England and Wales to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks from fire. The law does not prescribe a method — that is where PAS 79 comes in. Published by BSI, PAS 79-1:2020 (for premises other than housing) and PAS 79-2:2020 (for housing) describe a recognised, defensible methodology that professional assessors use to structure their work.
Following PAS 79 is not mandatory, but it has become the de facto benchmark for professional fire risk assessment in the UK. Enforcing authorities, insurers and courts are familiar with its structure, which makes a PAS 79-format report a strong record that the responsible person has discharged their duty.
The nine steps of the PAS 79 methodology
PAS 79 organises the assessment into a sequence of steps that move from information gathering to a prioritised action plan:
- Identify fire hazards — sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen.
- Identify people at risk, including employees, visitors, contractors and anyone especially vulnerable.
- Evaluate the likelihood of a fire starting.
- Evaluate the fire protection measures for life safety — means of escape, compartmentation, detection and alarm, emergency lighting, signage and firefighting equipment.
- Assess the management of fire safety — testing, maintenance, training, drills and record keeping.
- Determine the likelihood of fire and the potential consequences for people.
- Derive a fire risk rating from likelihood and consequence.
- Decide whether the risk is tolerable or whether additional measures are required.
- Produce an action plan with prioritised, timescaled recommendations.
What a PAS 79 report contains
A compliant report records the premises particulars, the scope and limitations of the inspection, the checklist findings for each of the assessment sections, photographic evidence of hazards and deficiencies, a reasoned fire risk rating (usually via a likelihood/consequence matrix), and a dated action plan assigning each recommendation a priority and timescale.
The report should also state who carried out the assessment, their competence, the date of the assessment and a recommended review date. Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, the full fire risk assessment must now be recorded — not just its significant findings — which makes disciplined, complete reporting more important than ever.
How software changes the economics of PAS 79 work
The methodology itself is stable; the cost sits in the write-up. Assessors typically spend as long producing the report as they do on site. Purpose-built software such as AssessHub structures the PAS 79 checklist digitally, captures photos and dictated notes on site (including offline), drafts consistent professional wording for observations and section narratives with AI assistance, and assembles the finished PDF report in one click — cutting write-up time dramatically while keeping every judgement in the assessor’s hands.
Frequently asked questions
Is a PAS 79 fire risk assessment a legal requirement?
No. The legal requirement is a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. PAS 79 is a recognised methodology for meeting that requirement, widely used because enforcing authorities and courts are familiar with it.
What is the difference between PAS 79-1 and PAS 79-2?
PAS 79-1:2020 covers fire risk assessment for premises other than housing — offices, retail, industrial, hospitality and similar. PAS 79-2:2020 covers housing, including the common parts of blocks of flats.
Who can carry out a PAS 79 fire risk assessment?
The assessment must be carried out by a competent person. For anything beyond simple premises that normally means a professional fire risk assessor with relevant training, experience and ideally third-party registration such as the IFE or BAFE SP205 schemes.
Write your next FRA in half the time
AssessHub structures the checklist, drafts the wording and assembles the report — you keep the judgement.