Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments Explained

A PCFRA identifies fire-safety challenges that apply to a particular resident beyond the general risks considered in the building’s FRA.

It may consider whether the resident can:

• Recognise a fire alarm or warning
• Understand the building’s fire instructions
• Use the available escape route
• Use stairs or an evacuation lift where applicable
• Leave without assistance
• Obtain agreed help from family, neighbours or carers

The assessment must also take account of the building. A resident’s needs cannot be considered separately from its evacuation strategy, alarm arrangements, escape routes and main FRA.

A PCFRA does not replace the building assessment. See Fire Risk Assessments in the UK: The Complete Guide.

The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 apply in England to buildings containing two or more domestic premises that are:

• At least 18 metres above ground level
• At least seven storeys
• More than 11 metres above ground level with a simultaneous evacuation strategy

The Responsible Person must use reasonable endeavours to identify “relevant residents”. This means residents whose flat is their only or main home and whose ability to evacuate without assistance is compromised by a physical or cognitive impairment or condition.

Each identified relevant resident must be offered a PCFRA, and one must be carried out where the resident requests or accepts it.

The legislation applies in England only. See Fire Risk Assessment Legal Requirements Across the UK and Fire Risk Assessments for Blocks of Flats.

No. The statutory Residential PEEPs process has a defined building scope, but person-centred assessment is also used more widely as good fire-safety practice.

It may be relevant in sheltered housing, supported living, care homes, extra-care schemes and other accommodation occupied by people who may need support.

The evacuation arrangements in these premises can differ significantly. A staffed care home using progressive evacuation cannot be managed in the same way as a block of independent flats.

See Fire Risk Assessments for Care Homes and Supported Living.

The PCFRA should focus on the resident’s interaction with the building and its fire-safety arrangements.

The discussion may cover:

• Mobility, stamina and use of mobility aids
• Sight or hearing impairments
• Cognitive conditions affecting understanding or response
• Temporary injuries or conditions
• Ability to receive and act on a warning
• Ability to use stairs and escape routes
• Availability of agreed informal support
• The resident’s understanding of what to do in a fire

The resident does not have to provide medical records. The Responsible Person only needs enough information to understand the relevant fire-safety and evacuation challenges.

Under the current Regulations, the statutory PCFRA does not yet require a general assessment of fire risks inside the resident’s home. Government guidance recommends considering relevant in-flat risks and mitigations with the resident’s agreement because future primary legislation is intended to address this area.

For the wider contents of a building assessment, see What Should a Fire Risk Assessment Include?.

After the assessment, the Responsible Person must discuss possible measures with the resident and implement those that are reasonable and proportionate.

Possible measures may include:

• Alternative-format fire instructions
• Visual, vibrating or linked warning devices
• Adjustments to door hardware where appropriate
• Removal of obstacles from agreed routes
• An agreed arrangement involving a carer, relative or neighbour
• Use of an evacuation lift where supported by the building strategy
• Staff or housing-management procedures
• Further professional assessment

A measure must not create a new risk, obstruct an escape route or compromise compartmentation. The assessment of what is reasonable and proportionate should consider effectiveness, practicality, risk reduction and cost.

Where specialist warning equipment is required, input may be needed from competent Fire Alarm Contractors.

At the end of the PCFRA, the Responsible Person must use reasonable endeavours to agree what the resident should do in the event of a fire.

Where an approach is agreed, it must be recorded in writing and a copy provided to the resident. The statement should be brief and practical, recording how the resident receives a warning, whether they remain or evacuate, the route or facilities involved and any agreed support.

It should not promise assistance that has not been agreed or cannot be relied upon.

A resident cannot be compelled to complete a PCFRA and may withdraw consent later.

The Responsible Person should explain what information is needed, how it will be stored and who may receive it. Information about the resident’s flat, floor and indicative assistance needs can only be shared with the local Fire and Rescue Authority with the resident’s explicit agreement.

Only information needed for fire-safety purposes should be collected and retained.

The 2025 Regulations do not require every PCFRA to be completed by an external fire risk assessor. Trained housing, building-safety or resident-engagement staff may carry out the conversation using a controlled process.

External support may be appropriate where:

• The evacuation strategy is complex
• Proposed measures could affect common fire precautions
• The organisation needs a portfolio-wide process
• A case requires specialist fire-safety input
• Findings should feed back into the building FRA

When comparing Fire Risk Assessment Companies, clients should clarify whether they need individual assessments, staff training, procedure development or review of complex cases.

See Can You Carry Out Your Own Fire Risk Assessment? for the wider distinction between internal assessment and professional support.

For buildings covered by the Regulations, the PCFRA, mitigation measures and emergency evacuation statement must be reviewed:

• Within 12 months of the statement being recorded, or the PCFRA where no statement was agreed
• At least every 12 months afterwards
• When there is reason to believe the arrangements need updating
• At the resident’s reasonable request

A change in the resident’s condition, building layout, evacuation strategy or available support may also trigger a review.

See How Often Should a Fire Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?.

A client seeking external support should state:

• The buildings and expected number of residents
• Whether the Regulations apply
• Who will contact residents and record consent
• The required assessment and reporting format
• How complex cases will be escalated
• Who will approve mitigation measures
• Data-storage and review responsibilities
• Whether staff training is included

Quotations should distinguish setup work, individual assessments, annual reviews and specialist advice.

Use How to Compare Fire Risk Assessment Quotes where providers propose different service models. The wider process is explained in How Commercial Fire Protection Tendering Works and Fire Protection Tenders in the UK: The Complete Guide.

Common mistakes include:

• Treating the process as a medical assessment
• Using a checklist without a meaningful resident conversation
• Assuming residents with similar impairments have identical needs
• Confusing the PCFRA with the building FRA
• Promising support that has not been agreed
• Failing to obtain consent
• Collecting unnecessary personal information
• Overlooking temporary conditions
• Failing to review the arrangements

A useful PCFRA produces a realistic, understood and reviewable arrangement for the individual resident.

For building owners and managing organisations

Use Fire Risk Assessment Companies to compare providers that can support resident assessments, staff processes and complex cases.

For fire risk assessors and consultancies

View Fire Risk Assessment Tenders for residential fire-safety and assessment opportunities.

What is a person-centred fire risk assessment?

It is an assessment focused on the fire-safety and evacuation risks faced by an individual resident because of their physical or cognitive impairment or condition.

Is a PCFRA the same as a PEEP?

No. The PCFRA identifies individual risks and possible measures. The Residential PEEPs process also includes mitigation, an emergency evacuation statement, review and consent-based information sharing.

Does a resident have to provide medical records?

No. Only enough information to understand the relevant fire-safety and evacuation risks is needed.

Must a fire risk assessor carry out every PCFRA?

No. Trained staff may carry them out, with professional support used for complex buildings, cases or proposed measures.

How often must a PCFRA be reviewed?

For buildings covered by the Regulations, it must be reviewed at least every 12 months, when circumstances suggest an update is needed or at the resident’s reasonable request.