New 2025 Codes

Business Alert — “New 2025 Codes Make Fire Risk Assessments Non-Negotiable for Employers”

Published: 10 August 2025

Businesses entering the second half of 2025 face a tightening regulatory landscape around fire safety. National standards and country-level updates this year — including refreshed guidance for fire risk assessments and recent amendments to building/fire guidance — mean responsible persons must review and update assessments now, not later. Fire risk assessments remain the primary tool for identifying ignition sources, vulnerable groups, evacuation routes and the maintenance work needed to keep premises safe; regulators and insurers alike are increasingly treating them as living documents that must reflect recent changes to building use, heating/electrical systems and occupant numbers. Employers that delay face not only reputational and human-safety risks but higher enforcement and insurance exposure as authorities expect demonstrable, recent assessment activity. If your business hasn’t run a full reassessment since 2023–24, 2025’s guidance and code updates are a strong signal to act. GOV.UKGOV.UK