PAS 79-1 Fire Risk Assessments for Non-domestic Premises
PAS 79-1 fire risk assessments for non-domestic premises
PAS 79-1:2020 is the recognised code of practice for carrying out and recording fire risk assessments in premises other than housing. It gives a structured method for assessing fire hazards, fire protection measures, fire safety management and the overall level of fire risk.
A fire risk assessment should not be a generic checklist or a desktop exercise. It should be a structured assessment of the actual premises, the people who use it, the fire hazards present, the adequacy of the fire precautions and the standard of fire safety management.
PAS 79-1:2020 helps bring structure to that process. It applies to non-domestic premises and parts of non-domestic premises where fire risk assessments are required by fire safety legislation. This includes many workplaces, shops, offices, factories, warehouses, healthcare premises, care homes, places of assembly, hospitality premises and mixed-use buildings where the commercial parts need assessment.
What is PAS 79-1?
PAS 79-1:2020 is titled Fire risk assessment – Part 1: Premises other than housing – Code of practice. It was published by BSI and replaced the earlier PAS 79:2012 approach for non-housing premises.
The document gives recommendations and examples of documentation for undertaking and recording the significant findings of a fire risk assessment. Its purpose is to support a consistent, risk-proportionate and evidence-based approach.
In practical terms, PAS 79-1 helps a competent assessor answer four core questions:
- What fire hazards are present?
- Who could be harmed by fire?
- Are the existing fire precautions adequate?
- What further action is needed to reduce fire risk to a tolerable level?
Which premises does PAS 79-1 apply to?
PAS 79-1 applies to premises other than housing. Typical examples include:
- Offices and commercial buildings
- Retail premises and shopping areas
- Restaurants, cafés, pubs and hospitality venues
- Schools, colleges and training centres
- Warehouses and industrial units
- Care homes and certain healthcare premises
- Community buildings and places of worship
- Vacant premises where a fire risk assessment is still required
- Mixed-use buildings where the commercial areas require assessment
PAS 79-1 is not aimed at single-family private dwellings, common parts of blocks of flats, sheltered housing, extra care housing, supported housing or most HMOs. Those types of premises require different housing-specific guidance.
Why PAS 79-1 matters
A weak fire risk assessment creates legal, operational and life safety risk. The problem is rarely the absence of a document. The problem is usually that the document does not properly assess the premises.
A poor assessment may miss key defects such as:
- Excessive or poorly justified travel distances
- Inadequate fire doors or damaged compartmentation
- Poorly maintained fire alarm or emergency lighting systems
- Blocked or compromised escape routes
- Uncontrolled ignition sources or combustible storage
- Weak fire safety management arrangements
- No evidence of testing, maintenance, training or fire drills
- Failure to consider occupants who may need assistance
PAS 79-1 helps prevent this by requiring the assessor to consider fire hazards, fire protection measures, management arrangements and likely consequences in a structured way.
The PAS 79-1 approach to fire risk
PAS 79-1 separates fire hazard from fire risk. This matters.
A fire hazard is a source, situation or act with the potential to result in a fire. Examples include poor housekeeping, unsafe electrical equipment, smoking materials, hot works, cooking processes or combustible waste.
Fire risk considers both the likelihood of fire and the likely consequences if a fire occurs. A premises may have a low likelihood of fire but still present serious consequences because of poor escape arrangements, vulnerable occupants or inadequate warning systems.
The nine-step fire risk assessment process
PAS 79-1 sets out a structured method for completing a fire risk assessment. A good assessment should normally consider the following areas:
PAS 79-1 is not just a form
One of the biggest misconceptions is that PAS 79-1 is simply a report template. It is not.
A template can help with consistency, but the quality of the assessment depends on the competence of the assessor, the evidence reviewed, the inspection carried out and the reasoning behind the conclusions.
PAS 79-1 is also clear that a fire risk assessment is not the same as:
- A full building regulations compliance check
- A fire strategy report
- A disabled access audit
- A construction snagging inspection
- A full intrusive compartmentation survey
- An external wall fire risk appraisal under PAS 9980
These matters may need separate specialist assessment where the risk profile, building type or available evidence justifies it.
Competence matters
Fire risk assessment requires judgement. That judgement must be based on knowledge, practical experience and an understanding of how fire precautions work together.
For a small, simple, low-risk premises, a basic level of competence may be enough. For complex buildings, sleeping risk, healthcare premises, heritage buildings, large commercial buildings or premises with unusual fire safety arrangements, the assessor needs a higher level of competence.
The responsible person should be able to show that the assessor was competent for the type and complexity of premises being assessed.
What should a PAS 79-1 fire risk assessment include?
A suitable PAS 79-1 style fire risk assessment should normally include:
- The scope of the assessment
- Details of the premises and its use
- Occupancy profile and persons especially at risk
- Fire hazards and control measures
- Means of escape assessment
- Fire detection and warning arrangements
- Emergency lighting provision
- Fire doors and compartmentation observations
- Firefighting equipment provision
- Signage and wayfinding
- Fire safety management arrangements
- Testing and maintenance records reviewed
- Training and fire drill arrangements
- Assessment of likely consequences
- Overall fire risk rating
- Prioritised action plan
- Recommended review date
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
A fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and when there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid.
Review should also take place after relevant changes, such as:
- Alterations to the premises
- Changes in layout or escape routes
- Changes in occupancy or staffing levels
- Introduction of new processes or equipment
- Fire incidents or near misses
- Significant defects in fire precautions
- Changes in the needs of occupants
- Enforcement action or insurer requirements
The review period should reflect the level of risk. Higher-risk and more complex premises normally require more frequent review.
How London Fire Consultants can help
London Fire Consultants provides structured fire risk assessments for non-domestic premises across London and the South East.
Our assessments are designed to support compliance with Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. We use a clear, evidence-based methodology aligned with recognised fire risk assessment practice.
We do not treat the fire risk assessment as a paperwork exercise. We inspect the premises, review relevant records, assess management arrangements and provide a practical action plan that dutyholders can understand and implement.
Frequently asked questions about PAS 79-1
Is PAS 79-1 a legal requirement?
PAS 79-1 is not legislation. The legal duty comes from fire safety legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales. PAS 79-1 provides a recognised structured methodology for carrying out and recording a fire risk assessment.
Does PAS 79-1 apply to blocks of flats?
PAS 79-1 is for premises other than housing. Blocks of flats and other housing premises require housing-specific fire risk assessment guidance. Mixed-use buildings may need both commercial and residential fire safety considerations.
Does PAS 79-1 cover external walls?
PAS 79-1 is not an external wall fire risk appraisal methodology. Where a detailed external wall appraisal is needed, specialist external wall guidance such as PAS 9980 may be relevant.
Can any person complete a PAS 79-1 fire risk assessment?
The assessor must be competent for the premises being assessed. Simple premises may require a lower level of competence. Complex, higher-risk or unusual premises require greater technical knowledge and experience.
What is the difference between a fire hazard and fire risk?
A fire hazard is something that could cause or contribute to a fire. Fire risk considers both the likelihood of fire and the likely consequences if fire occurs.
Do all fire risk assessments need an action plan?
Where improvements are required, the action plan should identify what needs to be done, how urgent the action is and who should manage it. The action plan should be practical, proportionate and linked to the level of risk.
Need a PAS 79-1 fire risk assessment?
London Fire Consultants can inspect your premises, review your fire safety arrangements and provide a clear action plan for compliance.
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