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BS 8674:2025 – What the New Fire Risk Assessor Competency Standard Means for Your Business
The British Standards Institution has published BS 8674:2025 – Built Environment: Framework for Competence of Individual Fire Risk Assessors, establishing a new benchmark for fire risk assessor competence. This standard introduces three competency levels:
- Foundation
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Each of these levels corresponds with the fire risk profile of different types of premises.
For small and medium-sized businesses, it clarifies who can carry out a compliant fire risk assessment and what evidence of competence you should expect. This article explains the key points from BS 8674:2025 and outlines practical steps you can take to ensure your assessors meet the new requirements.
Why BS 8674:2025 Matters
Following the Grenfell Inquiry, one of the key findings was that many fire risk assessments were inadequate, often because of poor training, insufficient qualifications, or a lack of understanding of the real fire risks involved.
In response, the British Standards Institution (BSI) introduced a new Code of Practice: BS 8674:2025 – Built Environment. Framework for Competence of Individual Fire Risk Assessors. Code of practice
This new standard sets out a clear national framework for determining who is competent to carry out fire risk assessments and for what types of premises.
The Three Levels of Fire Risk Assessor Competence
The standard defines three levels of assessor competence, depending on the risk profile of the premises being assessed. This makes it easier to determine whether the assessor you’re using is genuinely suitable for your type of building.
Foundation – Low Fire Risk
For premises with:
- Low occupancy (around 60 people or fewer)
- Conventional construction, below 11m high (up to four storeys)
- Simple layouts and straightforward escape routes under 30m
- No unusual ignition or chemical hazards
- Floor area no larger than 200m2
Typical examples: small offices, small warehouses, local shops.
A foundation-level assessor is competent to assess uncomplicated, low-risk buildings.
Intermediate – Moderate Fire Risk
For premises with:
- Up to 500 occupants
- More complex layouts or transient occupants
- Up to six storeys (around 18m high)
- Some use of cladding or external wall systems
- Travel distances to open air of up to 60m
- Storage of up to 1,000 litres of flammable product, but not manufacture
Typical examples: hotels, boarding houses, apartment blocks (common areas), shops, offices, small schools, and entertainment venues.
An intermediate assessor is required where occupancy or complexity increases the potential risk.
Advanced – High Fire Risk
For premises that are more complex or hazardous than the “moderate” category, such as:
- Hospital
- Tower blocks
- Large public venues
This level does not include highly specialised environments such as nuclear, offshore, or chemical industries. Those fall outside the scope of this standard.
An advanced assessor is expected to demonstrate a high level of expertise, judgment, and experience to assess complex fire safety systems and controls.
Competence Means More Than Qualifications
BS 8674:2025 doesn’t just look at technical knowledge. It also sets expectations around skills, experience, and professional behaviours. This means that qualifications alone are not enough.
A competent assessor should be able to demonstrate:
- Relevant experience for the type of premises being assessed.
- Membership or registration with recognised professional bodies (e.g. IFSM, BAFE).
- The ability to apply knowledge proportionately and make sound professional judgements.
This is about ensuring assessments are not just completed, but completed properly
What This Means for SMEs
If you manage health and safety in a small or medium-sized business, this affects you directly. As the “responsible person”, you have a duty to ensure that your fire risk assessment is carried out by someone competent to do so.
If your assessor doesn’t meet the right standard, the assessment itself may not be accepted as valid. This could potentially affect your legal compliance, insurance, and overall fire safety management.
How to Check Your Fire Risk Assessor’s Competence
Here’s a simple, practical checklist:
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Identify your building’s risk profile — low, moderate, or high.
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Check your assessor’s competence level against that risk.
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Ask for evidence of professional registration or membership (e.g. IFSM, BAFE).
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Record this check as part of your fire safety documentation.
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Get in touch with our fire safety specialist if anything is unclear.
Why This Change Is Positive
This new standard isn’t about creating more red tape. It’s about clarity, giving businesses confidence that the people they rely on to identify fire risks actually have the competence to do so.
By understanding these levels now, you can make informed decisions and avoid the common pitfall of assuming that “anyone” can carry out a fire risk assessment.
Final Thoughts
The competence of your fire risk assessor is now just as important as the content of your assessment. If you’re not sure which level your assessor falls under, or whether your current fire risk assessment meets the new expectations, take the time to check.
It’s a small step that could prevent major issues later.
Need a fire risk assessment completed? Get in touch and let’s discuss your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions About BS 8674:2025
What is BS 8674:2025?
BS 8674:2025 is a new British Standard published by the British Standards Institution (BSI). It provides a framework for assessing the competence of individuals who carry out fire risk assessments in buildings.
It sets out three levels of competence: foundation, intermediate, and advanced, to match the risk level and complexity of different premises.
Why was BS 8674:2025 introduced?
The standard was developed following lessons from the Grenfell Inquiry, which highlighted that some fire risk assessments failed because assessors lacked the necessary competence. BS 8674:2025 aims to ensure that only assessors with the right skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours carry out assessments appropriate to the building type.
Who does BS 8674:2025 apply to?
It applies to anyone carrying out a fire risk assessment — whether they are in-house staff or external consultants. For SMEs, it’s particularly relevant when appointing an external assessor, as you are still legally responsible for ensuring the person is competent to do the job.
What are the three levels of fire risk assessor competence?
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Foundation: For low-risk buildings such as small offices or shops (low occupancy, simple layout).
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Intermediate: For moderate-risk buildings such as hotels, schools, or multi-storey offices (up to six storeys or 18 metres).
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Advanced: For high-risk or complex premises such as hospitals, tower blocks, or large public venues.
Each level requires increasing levels of knowledge, experience, and professional judgement.
How can I tell if my fire risk assessor is competent?
Ask for evidence of their competence level, experience, and any professional registration — for example, with the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) or BAFE.
Check that their competence level matches the risk category of your building (low, moderate, or high). You should also document your checks as part of your fire safety records.
Does BS 8674:2025 require formal qualifications?
The standard does not prescribe specific qualifications, but it does expect assessors to demonstrate knowledge, experience, and professional behaviour appropriate to their level.
Formal training or registration with a recognised fire safety body will help demonstrate competence, but experience and professional judgement remain key factors.
Does this standard apply to small businesses?
Yes. Even small businesses must ensure that whoever completes their fire risk assessment is competent for the type of premises they have.
While a foundation-level assessor may be sufficient for low-risk environments, the responsibility to choose the right person still rests with the responsible person under fire safety law.
When does BS 8674:2025 come into effect?
The standard was published in 2025 and will begin to influence expectations during 2026 and beyond. Insurance providers, auditors, and enforcement authorities are likely to start referencing it when assessing compliance and competence.
What if my fire risk assessment was done before BS 8674:2025 was introduced?
Existing fire risk assessments remain valid if they were suitable and sufficient at the time they were completed. However, when they are next reviewed, you should check that the assessor meets the new competency framework — particularly if your building risk profile or layout has changed.
Is BS 8674:2025 a legal requirement?
The standard itself is not legislation, but it supports legal duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In practice, it sets the benchmark for what “competent” means, and enforcement officers may refer to it when assessing compliance.
Will I need to change my fire risk assessor?
Not necessarily. If your current assessor can demonstrate competence appropriate to your premises, they may already meet the new standard. However, if they cannot provide evidence of relevant experience or professional registration, you should review their suitability.
How often should fire risk assessor competence be reviewed?
Each time your fire risk assessment is reviewed or renewed, confirm that your assessor still meets the required level of competence. Competence should be treated as an ongoing requirement, not a one-time check.
Where can I get a copy of BS 8674:2025?
You can purchase the full standard directly from the British Standards Institution (BSI) website.
However, for most SME managers, a plain-English summary (such as the one in this article) will be enough to understand how it applies in practice.
What should SMEs do next?
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Familiarise yourself with the standard’s key points.
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Confirm your building’s fire risk level (low, moderate, or high).
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Check your assessor’s competence and record your findings.
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Get in touch with ray@howletthealthsafetyservices.co.uk if unsure.
Next Steps
Need help and assistance? Here’s what you can do.
✅ Get in touch to discuss any specific health and safety arrangements you may need to clarify. Email me at ray@howletthealthsafetyservices.co.uk
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Ray Howlett
Health and Safety Consultant at Howlett Health & Safety Services, providing pragmatic, proportionate solutions to help UK businesses meet their legal health and safety duties.
