After your fire risk assessment: putting the action plan into practice

1. Read the findings in their building context

Start with the assessment scope, limitations, overall risk evaluation and action plan. Check the building details and identify any areas the assessor could not inspect or records that were unavailable. An overall risk rating does not remove the need to address individual actions, and receiving an FRA does not itself demonstrate that all necessary measures are in place. If a recommendation is unclear, ask what outcome is needed and which location it concerns. Keep requests for factual correction separate from work that is already clearly necessary, so that clarification does not become a reason to leave a known concern unattended.

2. Identify urgent measures and agree responsibilities

Review immediate or high-priority concerns promptly with the relevant competent adviser. Where permanent work cannot be completed straight away, seek advice on appropriate interim measures and record who will implement and monitor them. A target date should not be treated as permission to leave a serious risk unmanaged until that date. Identify which party controls each affected area or system and coordinate with other dutyholders where responsibilities overlap. Appointing an assessor or contractor does not by itself transfer the Responsible Person's duties. Record who is taking each action forward and escalate uncertainty about responsibility rather than allowing the item to stall.

3. Create a working action record

Give each action a reference linked to the report, a building location, the required outcome, an owner and a target date. Add its current status, the next step and the evidence needed to close it. Keep contractor quotations and instructions against the same reference. For example, a door closer action should identify the particular door and the closing problem to be resolved; a general instruction to 'repair fire doors' may leave the scope uncertain. Use a spreadsheet or management system that your team will maintain consistently. Preserve the original report wording alongside progress notes so that the required outcome is not lost.

4. Instruct suitable work and check the result

Select contractors with competence appropriate to the work and provide the relevant report extracts, locations and any design or product information. Some recommendations need specialist investigation or design before a repair can be specified. Agree the expected handover evidence before work starts. Depending on the action, useful evidence may include service or test reports, photographs, product information, updated procedures or a competent person's verification. An accepted quotation shows an instruction; an invoice shows a charge. Neither necessarily demonstrates that the required safety outcome was achieved. Where necessary, arrange a suitable completion inspection or test before closing the action.

5. Keep unresolved items visible and review changes

Record the completion date, who checked the outcome and where the supporting evidence is stored. If only part of the work is complete, leave the remaining part open. Escalate missed dates and record the reason, next step and any continuing interim measures. Do not silently extend a deadline without considering the effect on risk. Keep management actions, such as issuing information or maintaining routine checks, in view alongside physical repairs. Review the FRA when changes or new information may affect its validity. A new report should not become a substitute for progressing existing actions; provide the action history and completion evidence to the next assessor.

Sources and further reading

• GOV.UK — A guide for persons with duties under fire safety legislation
• GOV.UK — Fire safety responsibilities under Section 156