In brief
Two British Standards set out good practice for how a fire risk assessment is carried out and recorded. BS 9792:2025 is for housing. PAS 79-1:2020 is for premises other than housing. Neither is law. Your legal duty comes from the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and these standards describe a recognised, defensible way of meeting it. They are used by competent assessors, not a substitute for one.
BS 9792:2025, for housing
BS 9792:2025, Fire risk assessment. Housing. Code of practice, was published in August 2025. It is a full revision and formal conversion of PAS 79-2:2020, which has been withdrawn, and it reflects lessons from high profile incidents and current legislation. It gives recommendations and example documentation for carrying out and recording fire risk assessments in:
- houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
- blocks of flats and maisonettes, both purpose built and converted
- specialised housing, such as supported or sheltered accommodation
- student accommodation falling into those categories
- the common areas of mixed use buildings that give access to homes
It does not apply to single household private dwellings, short term lets, care homes or non-domestic premises, and it does not replace a specialist external wall assessment, which is covered by PAS 9980. It is aimed at competent assessors and also at freeholders, managing agents, housing providers and others with duties under the Fire Safety Order and the Building Safety Act 2022.
Compared with PAS 79-2, the standard has reorganised content to clarify the types of assessment, a new pro forma for recording and communicating findings, and updated guidance on the evacuation needs of residents, including those with disabilities. It encourages a risk proportionate approach, not a box ticking one.
PAS 79-1:2020, for other premises
PAS 79-1:2020, Fire risk assessment. Premises other than housing. Code of practice, was published in December 2020. It gives recommendations and example documentation for assessing and recording fire risk in non-domestic premises where a fire risk assessment is required by law, such as offices, shops, workplaces, schools and warehouses. It replaced PAS 79:2012, and it is still current. It excludes single family private dwellings, shared houses and HMOs, the common parts of blocks of flats and maisonettes, and sheltered, extra care and supported housing, which are the territory of BS 9792.
Which one applies to you?
| Your premises | Usual standard |
|---|---|
| Block of flats or maisonettes, HMO, student or sheltered housing | BS 9792:2025 |
| Office, shop, workplace, school, warehouse or other non-domestic premises | PAS 79-1:2020 |
| Mixed use building with homes above commercial space | BS 9792 for the access areas that lead to the homes, such as shared entrances and stairs. PAS 79-1 for the shops, offices and other commercial parts, which are non-domestic premises. We agree with you how the two fit together. |
| Care home, short term let or something unusual | Falls outside BS 9792, so ask us which approach is right |
How they fit with other standards
- BS 8674:2025 describes the competence expected of individual fire risk assessors. BAFE SP205 Version 6 is mapped against it. See BAFE SP205 explained.
- PAS 9980 is the method for assessing the external walls and cladding of existing blocks of flats.
Why standards matter
Following recognised standards makes your assessment consistent, comparable and defensible. If an enforcing authority, insurer or director asks how your assessment was done, you can point to a published method, and a certified assessor can show they follow it. For the legal duties that sit behind them, see Responsible Person duties and Section 156 explained.
Sources
Checked against the BSI article on BS 9792, the BSI listing for BS 9792:2025 and the BSI listing for PAS 79-1:2020, in October 2026.
Talk to a competent specialist
Tell us about your building and we will explain what you need and what it involves.