The safety of our homes is never something to take for granted. With thousands of residential fires in the UK each year, clear and consistent fire risk assessments are a cornerstone of protecting lives and property. This month, that process has taken a significant step forward with the release of BS 9792:2025, the British Standard that replaces PAS 79-2:2020 for housing fire risk assessments.

Published on 4 August 2025 by the British Standards Institution (BSI), BS 9792:2025 provides a structured, detailed code of practice for carrying out and documenting fire risk assessments in residential premises, from high-rise apartment blocks to HMOs, sheltered housing, student accommodation, and specialist living facilities.

Why This Update Matters

The tragic consequences of inadequate fire safety are all too familiar in the UK housing sector. The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, which claimed 72 lives, remains a stark reminder of how gaps in fire safety management, poor communication, and a lack of clear accountability can turn a preventable hazard into a national tragedy. Investigations into other residential fires, such as the Lakanal House blaze in 2009 and the Shirley Towers fire in 2010, revealed recurring failings, ranging from inadequate fire compartmentation and unsafe materials to insufficient evacuation planning.

Statistics from the Home Office show that in 2023 alone, UK fire and rescue services attended over 24,000 dwelling fires, resulting in hundreds of injuries and dozens of fatalities. Behind these numbers are families and communities whose lives are permanently changed, not only through the loss of loved ones, but also through displacement, trauma, and the destruction of personal possessions.

Too often, post-incident investigations have pointed to shortcomings in fire risk assessments: missing hazards, generic reports that fail to consider specific building layouts, or inadequate consideration for residents with additional needs. BS 9792:2025 seeks to close these gaps by setting out a clear, structured approach that leaves less room for ambiguity or oversight.

Key Features of BS 9792:2025

The new standard provides:

• Clear methodology for identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and determining the adequacy of existing fire precautions.
• Structured report templates to promote transparency and consistency across the sector.
• Guidance for different housing types, from traditional flats to complex multi-occupancy buildings.
• Consideration of vulnerable residents, ensuring assessments address additional measures for those needing assistance in an evacuation.
• Alignment with legislation and best practice, making it easier for responsible persons to demonstrate compliance.

Who Needs to Take Note

The standard is designed for anyone responsible for fire safety in housing, including:

• Fire risk assessors
• Housing associations
• Private landlords
• Property managers
• Local authorities
• Building owners

Even if you outsource your fire risk assessments, understanding BS 9792:2025 will help you hold your contractors accountable and ensure the process is carried out to the highest standards.

Practical Benefits

Implementing BS 9792:2025 doesn’t just tick a compliance box, it can help to:

• Reduce liability by demonstrating adherence to recognised best practice.
• Improve tenant safety through more thorough, consistent assessments.
• Support better decision-making when prioritising remedial works.
• Strengthen trust between landlords, residents, and regulators.

Taking Action Now

If you’re a housing provider or responsible person under the Fire Safety Order, now is the time to:

1. Review your current fire risk assessment process and documentation.
2. Familiarise yourself with the BS 9792:2025 requirements – training may be needed for assessors and in-house teams.
3. Update contracts and briefs for external assessors to ensure compliance with the new standard.
4. Communicate with residents about how assessments are being strengthened for their safety.

“BS 9792:2025 isn’t just an update, it’s a chance to raise the standard of fire safety across UK housing,” says Catherine Storer, Director at Essential Site Skills. “It gives everyone a clear playbook to follow, which ultimately means safer homes and lives saved.”

How Our Training Supports BS 9792:2025 Compliance

The effectiveness of a fire risk assessment often depends on the competence of the people involved. Our fire safety courses and qualifications help ensure your team has the right knowledge and skills to work to BS 9792:2025 standards:

• Fire Safety Awareness – Builds essential understanding of fire hazards, prevention, and legal duties, supporting the hazard identification elements of the standard.
• Fire Marshal / Warden – Equips staff to coordinate evacuations and take control in emergencies, reinforcing the standard’s focus on effective fire safety management.
• Fire Extinguisher Training – Provides hands-on experience in safe and effective extinguisher use, helping staff respond to incidents promptly and appropriately.
• Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Passive Fire Protection – Develops competence in installing and maintaining fire-resistant systems, vital for ensuring compartmentation and structural fire protection are assessed and maintained in line with BS 9792:2025.

Building Safer Homes Together

BS 9792:2025 is more than just an update, it’s an opportunity to raise the bar for fire safety across the UK housing sector. Every clear, thorough, and inclusive fire risk assessment completed under this standard is a step towards safer communities and lives protected.

By combining the guidance of BS 9792:2025 with the right skills and training, we can ensure that safety isn’t just a requirement on paper, but a reality for every resident. The standard sets the framework, now it’s up to all of us to put it into action.

“Fire safety isn’t just about preventing loss, it’s about protecting life, dignity, and peace of mind.”