Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA) vs Standard Fire Risk Assessment: What’s the Difference?
28 Jul 2026 | By Ron Fellowes MIFSM, GIFireE, CertNCRQ
A standard Fire Risk Assessment and a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment serve different purposes, but many organisations need both. This guide explains the key differences, when each assessment is appropriate, and how they work together to support effective fire safety management and compliance.
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.
Need a Fire Risk Assessment?
Osterna delivers professionally accredited Fire Risk Assessments for housing associations, managing agents, and large private landlords across the UK.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
From 6 April 2026, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 require Responsible Persons to 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.
Outside the scope of these Regulations, Responsible Persons must still comply with wider fire safety legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, by assessing and managing fire risks appropriately.
A Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA) may be appropriate for residents whose health, mobility, cognitive ability, behaviours, or support needs increase their level of fire risk or affect their ability to recognise, respond to, or evacuate safely in the event of a fire. This may include older people, residents with physical or learning disabilities, people living with dementia, or individuals with mental health conditions.
A PCFRA is usually requested by the Responsible Person, housing provider, supported housing provider, local authority, care organisation, or managing agent responsible for fire safety.
It may also be recommended following a Fire Risk Assessment, safeguarding review, changes in a resident’s circumstances, or where concerns are identified about a resident’s ability to evacuate safely. It can also help organisations identify relevant residents who may require additional fire safety measures or evacuation planning.
No. A standard Fire Risk Assessment assesses fire risks across the building and considers measures such as fire alarms, means of escape, and compartmentation. It is not intended to assess the specific circumstances of every resident.
Where an individual’s needs create additional fire safety risks, a separate Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment may be appropriate.
No. A Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment identifies how an individual’s circumstances affect their level of fire risk and recommends measures to reduce that risk. A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP), or other emergency evacuation statement where applicable, sets out the practical arrangements for supporting a resident during an emergency.
A PCFRA may help inform Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans or residential evacuation planning, but the two documents serve different purposes.
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