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What are the different types of Fire Risk Assessment?

In the fire safety industry, there are generally considered to be four different types of Fire Risk Assessment - or FRA - these are Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4.

Simply, they are categorised by the extent of the area to which the survey pertains, and how intrusive the investigation is.

What is a Type 1 Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)?

A Type 1 fire risk assessment is a non-destructive survey of the common areas of a premises. These are typically expected in shared buildings, with different occupants who may not be known to one another. In residential premises, an example of this would be the common areas of a block of flats, and in a commercial premises, the common areas of a shopping centre.

What is a Type 2 Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)?

A Type 2 fire risk assessment is a destructive survey of the common areas of a premises. Type 2 fire risk assessments are only typically instructed when evidence of a serious deficiency in compartmentation has already been detected. A type 2 fire risk assessment combines a typical Type 1 fire risk assessment with a compartmentation study.

What is a Type 3 Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)?

A Type 3 fire risk assessment is a non-destructive survey of the entire premises. In residential premises, these are instructed when there is an identified increased likelihood or risk of fire within the dwellings. An example of this would be in a care home, or HMO. In commercial premises, a Type 3 fire risk assessment may be implemented when there is a high-turnover of occupants, such as pop-up shops, or a breakdown in premises-wide fire safety systems has been identified.

What is a Type 4 Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)?

A Type 4 fire risk assessment is a destructive survey of the entire premises. Type 4 fire risk assessments are only typically instructed when evidence of a serious deficiency in compartmentation has already been detected. A type 4 fire risk assessment combines a typical Type 3 fire risk assessment with a compartmentation study.

All fire risk assessments should be undertaken in accordance with the building’s fire strategy, in order to be considered both suitable and sufficient.

When determining the extent of any Fire Risk Assessment it is necessary to review the overall strategy in order to determine where compartmentation is required and how critical it is to maintain the overall fire strategy of the building.

At Delta Fire Engineering we utilise our team of in-house Engineers to first review the existing plans against contemporary guidance and produce a set of marked-up compartmentation drawings. The surveying team in Delta Fire Safety then use this information to determine the extent of works required, including the most suitable Type of Fire Risk Assessment, and to target the areas of the building that are most critical to fire safety. This holistic approach ensures that the Fire Risk Assessment, and potential compartmentation survey, is tailored to the specific fire strategy in place at the building.