Fire Risk Assessment

BS 8674:2025 – Framework for the Competence of Individual Fire Risk Assessors

In August 2025, the British Standards Institution (BSI) released BS 8674:2025, a standard designed to establish a clearer framework for the competency of individual fire risk assessors across different building types and risk profiles.

The standard introduces defined fire risk profiles which categorise buildings as low, moderate, or high fire risk. Whilst these terms are familiar within the fire industry, the thresholds and competency expectations set out within BS 8674:2025 are significantly more structured than previous guidance documents such as PAS 79 and BS 9999.

At the heart of the standard is a straightforward but critical principle:

The complexity and fire risk profile of a building should align with the competency of the fire risk assessor undertaking the assessment.

Under BS 8674:2025, buildings are categorised according to risk profile, with each category linked directly to a competency level:

• Foundation
• Intermediate
• Advanced

This means the standard does not simply classify buildings - it also helps define the level of professional competence required to assess them appropriately. For example, a small single-storey office building may fall within a foundation-level competency profile, whereas complex high-risk buildings such as hospitals, high-rise residential buildings, or large mixed-use developments may require an assessor operating at an advanced competency level.

BS 8674:2025 provides clearer boundaries for practice, helping:

• Fire risk assessors understand the limits of their competence
• Responsible persons appoint suitably qualified assessors
• Organisations demonstrate compliance and due diligence
• The wider industry improve standards and consistency in fire risk assessment delivery

Fire Risk Assessment Services at Delta Fire Engineering

At Delta Fire Engineering, we fully support the industry’s move towards clearer competency frameworks and improved professional standards.

Our in-house team of competent fire risk assessors have experience working across a broad range of premises, from low-risk commercial buildings through to complex and high-risk environments. We understand the importance of ensuring the right assessor is matched to the right building and risk profile in line with the principles established within BS 8674:2025.

Our fire risk assessment services include:

• Commercial fire risk assessments
• Residential fire risk assessments
• High-rise and complex building fire risk assessments
• PAS 9980 external wall assessments
• DSEAR risk assessments
• Fire strategy support
• Compartmentation and fire stopping inspections
• Ongoing fire safety consultancy and compliance support

Fire Risk Assessment Training Courses

Alongside our consultancy services, Delta Fire Engineering are also able to provide regulated fire risk assessment training courses designed to support businesses, responsible persons, facilities teams, and aspiring fire risk assessors.

Our training can be delivered:

• In-house at your premises
• At one of our training venues
• As bespoke training tailored specifically to your business operations and risk profile

Our courses are designed to support competency development across different levels of experience and help organisations better understand their responsibilities under current fire safety legislation and emerging competency frameworks such as BS 8674:2025.