A new British Standard aimed at professionals conducting fire risk assessments in the housing sector has been issued by the British Standards Institution (BSI).
These standards should deliver much enhanced clarity, consistency, assurance and ultimately, should protect people.
About the standard
The new standard, Fire Risk Assessment – Housing – Code of Practice (BS 9792:2025) refreshes past guidance and provides a comprehensive framework, as well as documentation examples, for assessing fire risks in residential settings.
BS 9792:2025 is aligned with the latest legislation and fire safety standards and is a fully revised and formal upgrade of PAS 79-2:2020.
It provides a refreshed pro forma allowing for the documenting of fire risk assessments and includes updated guidance for people with specific evacuation needs, providing a clear focus on inclusivity, legal compliance and current best practice.
It also complements documents such as PAS 9980 (still to be used for external wall fire risk appraisals) and BS 8674:2025 (targeting competence for fire risk assessors).
Who does it impact?
BS 9792:2025 is applicable to a wide range of residential environments, including houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), blocks of flats, specialised housing and student accommodation.
However, the standard explicitly excludes certain types of premises from its scope, including:
- Single-family private dwellings: Typically single-occupancy homes.
- Short-term letting units: These include premises like Airbnb’s.
- Non-domestic premises: Buildings not used as residences (offices / retail spaces).
- Residential care homes: Facilities that provide accommodation and care services for individuals who require support with daily living activities.
Fire safety in care homes is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended) and other regulations and standards, such as the Care Home Regulations Act 2001, which mandates the appropriate fire safety measures to take, including fire alarms, detection systems, and emergency lighting.
Commercial FRAs
All commercial properties must be subjected to a fire risk assessment. This is a written document which describes the fire risk of the property during its everyday use, how it can best be managed, what is currently being done and what else needs to be done to improve.
Whether the BSI standard format is used or another, be aware that the fact that the British Standard exists means that it can and will be pointed to in a courtroom setting, where the question being asked would be “Does the risk assessment before us meet or surpass the standard that is readily available?”.
To avoid accidents, causing harm and facing prosecution, ensure your business complies with Health and Safety law in 2025 by:
- Conducting risk assessments as and when required (prior to undertaking activities).
- Providing training regarding the risks involved and how to manage them.
- Supervising risk management, as necessary, until competence is demonstrated.
- Formally reviewing risk assessments and associated safe systems of work regularly.
- Updating training provided (toolbox talks, in-house or external formal training).