Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA) vs Standard Fire Risk Assessment: What’s the Difference?

A standard Fire Risk Assessment identifies and manages fire risks across a building, but it does not always address the additional risks faced by individual residents. Where a person’s health, mobility, behaviour, or support needs increase their level of fire risk, a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA) may also be needed.

PCFRAs have become increasingly important following new legal duties introduced in England on 6 April 2026. This guide explains how they differ from standard Fire Risk Assessments, when each assessment is appropriate, and why some organisations now need both.

What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a building-wide assessment that identifies fire hazards, evaluates the effectiveness of existing fire precautions, and determines whether additional measures are needed to protect occupants. It considers the premises as a whole, including fire detection, means of escape, compartmentation, fire doors, emergency lighting, and fire safety management.

What Is a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment?

A Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA) focuses on an individual resident rather than the building itself. It assesses how a person’s health, mobility, behaviours, cognitive ability, or support needs may affect their level of fire risk or their ability to recognise, respond to, or evacuate safely during a fire. The assessment identifies any additional measures needed to reduce those risks.

Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment vs Fire Risk Assessment

Although both assessments support effective fire safety management, they serve different purposes. Responsible Persons should understand when each assessment is appropriate so they can apply the right assessment at the right time.

Fire Risk Assessment	Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment
Assesses fire risks across the building	Assesses fire risks relating to an individual resident
Focuses on fire hazards, means of escape, and fire precautions	Focuses on health, mobility, behaviours, and support needs
Protects all building occupants	Supports residents whose individual circumstances increase fire risk
Reviews the effectiveness of building fire safety measures	Identifies additional person-specific control measures
Considers the premises as a whole	Considers the individual’s circumstances alongside the building
Supports compliance with building fire safety duties	Supports the management of individual fire risks

How Does the Focus of Each Assessment Differ?

Although both assessments contribute to effective fire safety management, they are designed to answer different questions.

A standard Fire Risk Assessment focuses on the building. It assesses whether fire hazards are being appropriately managed, fire precautions remain suitable and sufficient, and the premises provide a safe environment for all occupants.

A Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment focuses on the individual. It considers whether a resident’s health, mobility, behaviours, or support needs increase the likelihood of a fire occurring or affect their ability to recognise, respond to, or evacuate safely in the event of a fire.

Rather than replacing one another, the two assessments work together to provide a more complete approach to managing fire safety within residential buildings. 

Which Assessment Do You Need?

In many cases, organisations will require both assessments because they address different aspects of fire safety.

A standard Fire Risk Assessment should normally be completed first to establish whether the building’s fire precautions are suitable and sufficient. Where that assessment identifies residents whose individual circumstances create additional fire risks, a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment can then provide a more detailed assessment of those specific risks.

As a general guide:

If you need to know…	Assessment
Whether the building’s fire precautions remain suitable	Fire Risk Assessment
Whether an individual resident requires additional fire safety measures	Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment
Whether escape routes, fire doors, and fire alarms remain effective	Fire Risk Assessment
Whether a resident’s health, mobility, or behaviours increase their level of fire risk	Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment
Whether both building-wide and individual fire risks are being managed	Both assessments

Organisations that apply the appropriate assessment at the right time can adopt a more proportionate approach to fire safety while protecting both buildings and residents.

What Are the Legal Requirements?

In England, recent legislation has placed a much greater emphasis on identifying residents who may need additional support to evacuate safely, making PCFRAs an increasingly important part of residential fire safety management.

From 6 April 2026, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 introduced new duties for Responsible Persons in certain residential buildings. Where the Regulations apply, Responsible Persons must use reasonable endeavours to identify relevant residents who may have difficulty evacuating independently, offer them a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA), and, where the resident agrees, ensure that the assessment is completed.

The wider legal framework is summarised below.

Jurisdiction	Relevant legislation and guidance
England	Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Fire Safety Act 2021Building Safety Act 2022 Housing Act 2004 Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025
Scotland	Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006

Regardless of the legislation that applies, Responsible Persons should ensure individual fire risks are identified, assessed, and managed alongside the building’s wider Fire Risk Assessment.

Common Misconceptions About PCFRAs and Fire Risk Assessments

Responsible Persons who misunderstand the purpose of each assessment can create gaps in fire safety management or carry out unnecessary work. 

Some of the most common misconceptions include:

• A Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment replaces a Fire Risk Assessment.
  No. A PCFRA complements the building’s Fire Risk Assessment by considering risks that relate to an individual resident.
• Every resident requires a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment.
  No. A PCFRA is only appropriate where an individual’s circumstances create additional fire risks that cannot be adequately addressed through the building’s Fire Risk Assessment alone.
• A Fire Risk Assessment considers every resident’s individual needs.
  No. A Fire Risk Assessment evaluates fire safety across the building as a whole. It is not intended to assess person-specific risks in detail.
• A Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment only focuses on evacuation.
  No. It considers both the likelihood of a fire occurring and the measures needed to reduce individual fire risk, including factors that may affect a resident’s ability to recognise, respond to, or evacuate safely in the event of a fire.

Responsible Persons who understand the purpose of each assessment can apply them appropriately, reduce gaps in fire safety management, and make more informed decisions about protecting both buildings and residents. 

Managing Fire Safety Across Buildings and Residents

Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments should be reviewed whenever a resident’s health, mobility, behaviour, support needs, or living arrangements change, and as part of routine fire safety management. Keeping assessments up to date helps ensure fire safety measures remain appropriate as individual circumstances evolve. 

If you are responsible for fire safety compliance across supported housing or residential portfolios and need an experienced provider, Osterna can help.

We work with housing associations, supported housing providers, local authorities, and care organisations across the UK, delivering Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments, Fire Risk Assessments, fire door inspections, and wider building compliance services.

Get in touch with the Osterna team today.