I am responsible for carrying out Fire Risk Assessments at a number of premises. Apart from reviewing them when there have been any changes, I carry out an annual review on the larger premises and a two yearly review on the premises that I deem to be low risk.
Following a recent routine visit from a local fire safety officer to one of our premises, he informed me that I should be reviewing all premises on an annual basis. The RRO only recommends an annual review.
Has any of you had similar experiences or I would be glad of your views.

Further, I should add that my fra's have never been questioned, possibly partly because I always recommend an annual review with my "main findings".

I find it interesting that many responses to fire related questions on this forum constantly say 'see your local fire safety officer for advice'. On this occasion the fire officer has given advice and now it is being questioned.

What we don't know is is he a very competent fire officer who has given you very good advice and in a roundabout way questioning your own competency or are you very competent in fire safety and the fire officer is incompetent. Who is the better qualified to give advice?

The review period obviously depends upon the risk. You have determined that the risk is sufficiently low as to not require an annual review of the assessment. How have you come to that decision? Have you based it against statistical evidence for fires in your type of building or other suitable evidence or is it just a gut feeling and finger in the air? I'm not suggesting that your decision is incorrect or that you are not basing your decision on good reliable evidence I'm just trying to see it from both ways. If you provide this forum with how you came to your decision then other readers may be able to give their views in a more informed way.

Annual review for a FRA is best practice. Same as for all RA's. Not legal requirement but best practice. Therefore go with what you feel you can live with and or defend.

Personally I would say do it annually. It's a review to check nothing has changed not a rewrite. Relatively speaking it won't take long. Why not just incorporate it into annual reviews for all other assessments etc.

Annual review's are what I always advise as a way of keeping on top of things.

I suspect that Clairel is talking in general terms and that an annual review frequency is the norm. Does not appear she is suggesting that in the event of an accident or other change that the assessment would not be reviewed. Consider that an annual review is just one element in your arrangements for managing health and safety and that throughout the year there are other mechanisms/systems for ensuring that safe practices are maintained.

Murray I do not agree that Claire is talking in general terms. I interpret 'personally I would say do it annually' as Claire giving advice.

Is it the norm for fra's reviews to be carried out annually? I think that very much depends upon the type of occupancy. My guess is that for very small, low risk businesses, which form the majority of businesses in the UK, a formal review might only be carried out every two years.

OK Claire, that seems a fair point

Shaun,

I was very interested in all the comments. As you quite rightly point out, I should have provided more information.

I look after two premises used for retail and office accommodation both are two storeys’s high, have L1 detection and three enclosed staircase enclosures. I would expect to have to review these premises every 12 months.
The other two premises are single storey, used for office accommodation. Each premise has three rooms, toilets plus a small kitchen in either. In these premises we have L2 detection, 2 x Final Exits at each end of the premise and the kitchen is fully fire compartmented. The only hazards on these premises are computer equipment and photocopiers in the offices, a fridge, hot water boiler and microwave in the kitchen.
I hold the Nebosh Fire Cert and feel competent enough to make a judgement that these two premises are low risk premises.
The Fire officer indicated that all premises should be reviewed every 12 months. I am not questioning his ability, but after reflecting on his comments, I wondered if anyone else had similar experiences. Chris Burns was right to say that I should have asked for it in writing.
I

The fire officer is looked at as the enforcement officer for fire risk assessments, quite rightly at that is exactly what they are.

The enforcement officer is backed up by the power of the law and, if he takes a case to court, will probably be supported by the Magistrate.

If we look at this as far as we know the details there has been a visit by a fire officer who has perused the fire risk assessment.

The fire risk assessment is probably suitable and sufficient and the advice given by the fire officer is to review after one year.

What's wrong with that?

OK, if anything changes i.e. employees, building re-design etc. then review the fra. Introduce new equipment to the premises, review the fra. etc. etc.

If after one year there has not been a review than review the fra.

A review is nothing more than having a look at what has been done previously, reading through the written report, if there is one, (Main Findings), tour the premises and ensure there have been no changes, if all is well then just mark the document reviewed and date/sign.

This could be less trouble than having an argument with t fire offirer in one yer time when he returns to see that you have complied with his recommendation.

If, as a result of the fra there are procedures written regarding fire alarm tests, evacuation drills, equipment servicing etc. you will have a record book (Fire Log Book), and this needs to be reviewed periodically to ensure the written procedures are adhered to. If this happens then it is unlikely you will need to review early, unless as per I have written above, however if the procedures are not being followed then a review will be essential with management involved as they need to support the requirements.

Be careful as the fire officer will not be messed with.

Hi

I carry out numerous FRAS on properties in the northeast of England. Working in an environment that under the RRFSO requires FRAs to be carried out on all premises.

I have met numerous fire officers some who are good at the job they do and some who aren't as good, the result being, in my opinion some are in a job in community safety and near retirement age and think they know better that you and in my opinion sometimes they don't, but unfortunately they are the enforcement officers and sometimes you just have to bite your lip and nod your head and say yes.

None of them have ever given me the same information, they have all been different in there our way, given that 90% of the properties I deal with are the same type you think they would be compatible.

I always ask them for written comments, recommendations though a report and I nearly alway get the same standard letter returned.

I review all the FRAs that I carry out annually or if any changes or modifications have occurred to the buildings I review them sooner, but that is just me, I agree that in some cases they could be reviewed at a longer period.