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PAS 79-1:2020 Fire Risk Assessments for Commercial Rental Buildings

What is PAS 79-1:2020?

Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 79-1:2020 is the British Standards Institution (BSI) best-practice standard for fire risk assessments in premises other than housing. It provides detailed, practical guidance for competent fire risk assessors conducting evaluations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (commonly known as the Fire Safety Order), the primary legislation requiring fire risk assessments for non-domestic premises in England and Wales.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a legal duty on the “responsible person” (typically the building owner, landlord, or employer) to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. While the Order does not mandate a specific methodology, following PAS 79-1:2020 demonstrates compliance with recognised industry best practice.

For owners and managers of commercial rental properties, fire safety compliance is no longer about ticking boxes. Increasing enforcement under the Fire Safety Act 2021, legal scrutiny, and insurer expectations mean that fire risk assessments must now meet PAS 79-1 standards.

At Vital Direct, we deliver PAS 79-1:2020 aligned fire risk assessments to protect your tenants, assets, and legal position, even as industry costs continue to rise.

Why PAS 79-1:2020 is Critical for Commercial Landlords

Following PAS 79-1:2020 guidance ensures that your fire risk assessment is:

Legally defensible in the event of enforcement action or prosecution
Aligned with Fire and Rescue Service expectations
Accepted by insurers and risk auditors
Specific to your building, not a generic checklist
Clear, prioritised, and actionable for duty holders

For commercial rental buildings, this means better protection of:

Rental income continuity
Asset value and marketability
Business continuity for tenants
Landlord and managing agent liability

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: Your Primary Legal Obligation

The Fire Safety Order 2005 requires the responsible person to:

Carry out a fire risk assessment
Identify fire hazards and people at risk
Evaluate, remove, or reduce risks
Record findings and implement control measures
Review the assessment regularly

The Fire Safety Act 2021 amended the Order to clarify that building structure, external walls, and common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings fall within scope. While primarily targeting residential buildings, these amendments have heightened scrutiny across all commercial premises.

How Often Do Commercial Buildings Need Fire Risk Assessments?

There is no statutory fixed interval for fire risk assessments under the Fire Safety Order. However, the assessment must be reviewed regularly and updated whenever:

There are significant changes to the building layout, structure, or use
New fire hazards are introduced
Occupancy levels or vulnerable persons change
Fire protection systems are altered or upgraded
There is reason to believe the assessment is no longer valid

In practice, most commercial landlords commission fire risk assessments annually. Higher-risk premises (large public buildings, complex multi-occupancy sites, or buildings with vulnerable occupants) may require more frequent reviews, potentially every six months.

Regular annual assessments demonstrate ongoing compliance, satisfy insurer requirements, and provide an audit trail in the event of enforcement action or incident investigation.

What Does a PAS 79-1 Assessment Cost?

Fire risk assessment costs vary significantly depending on:

Building size, complexity, and occupancy
Number of floors and fire compartments
Presence of high-risk areas (plant rooms, storage, kitchens)
Existing fire protection measures
Assessor competence and qualifications

A small single-occupancy commercial unit may cost between £250 and £500. Larger, more complex buildings (offices, retail units, warehouses) typically range from £600 to £2,000 or more.

However, many commercial landlords are seeing costs rise. There are good reasons for this.

Why Fire Risk Assessment Costs Are Increasing

1. Increased Scope and Complexity

PAS 79-1:2020 requires:

More detailed building inspections
Closer evaluation of fire protection systems
Better documentation of escape strategies, compartmentation, and fire load

This significantly increases time on site and technical analysis.

2. Higher Competence Standards

Assessors must now demonstrate:

Formal fire safety qualifications (such as NEBOSH Fire Safety certificates or equivalent)
Ongoing professional development and sector knowledge
Practical experience with complex commercial buildings

Competent assessors command higher costs, but they reduce your legal risk substantially.

3. Stronger Enforcement and Legal Risk

Fire and Rescue Authorities are taking a zero-tolerance approach to inadequate assessments. Poor-quality or generic reports can now lead to:

Enforcement notices and improvement requirements
Invalidated insurance claims
Prosecution of duty holders, including landlords and managing agents

Investing in a PAS 79-1:2020 compliant assessment reduces these risks and provides a credible defence in the event of enforcement activity.

4. Move Away from Cheap, Template Reports

Low-cost assessments often fail to meet PAS 79-1 standards or the requirements of the Fire Safety Order. The market is shifting toward:

Building-specific reports tailored to your property
Evidence-based conclusions with photographic records
Clear risk prioritisation and remedial action timescales

Quality assessments cost more upfront, but cheap assessments can cost far more in the long run through enforcement action, insurance voids, or tenant disputes.

Who Needs a Fire Risk Assessment?

Under the Fire Safety Order, any non-domestic premises require a fire risk assessment. This includes:

Offices, shops, and retail units
Warehouses and industrial premises
Hotels, restaurants, and leisure facilities
Healthcare and educational buildings
Common areas of multi-let commercial buildings

If you are the building owner, landlord, employer, or occupier with control over the premises, you are likely the responsible person under the legislation.

Why Choose Vital Direct?

Vital Direct provides professional fire risk assessments for commercial rental properties that reflect current best practice and PAS 79-1:2020 guidance.

Our clients benefit from:

Competent, qualified fire risk assessors with sector experience
Clear, structured reports aligned with PAS 79-1 methodology
Practical, proportionate recommendations tailored to your property
Support for landlords, managing agents, and facilities teams
Reduced enforcement, insurance, and liability risk

We do not cut corners, because your compliance, reputation, and tenants’ safety depend on getting fire safety right.

Investing in Compliance Protects Your Portfolio

As expectations rise across the commercial rental sector, PAS 79-1:2020 based fire risk assessments are quickly becoming the benchmark for responsible property ownership.

While costs are increasing, the cost of non-compliance is far higher. Enforcement action, tenant claims, and insurance issues can quickly exceed the cost of a proper assessment.

Vital Direct helps commercial landlords and tenants stay compliant, protected, prepared and have peace of mind. Call us today on 0345 777 1100 for a quote.