When it comes to fire safety in the UK, there is often confusion around the standards and guidance documents that duty holders need to follow. One document that comes up in conversation is PAS 79, the publicly available specification for carrying out fire risk assessments. PAS 79 has moved from a guidance document to a full British Standard published by BSI, so it’s important for compliance and has an updated approach for both housing and non-housing premises.
If you manage a building, are a landlord or have responsibility for health and safety at work you may have seen PAS 79 mentioned and wondered: is it still valid? Has it been replaced? And what does it mean for your Fire Safety Order obligations? PAS 79 provides fire risk assessment guidance and is recognised for its methodology. There were two PAS 79 standards used, PAS 79-1:2020 (Premises other than housing) and PAS 79-2 (for housing). PAS 79-2 has recently been replaced by BS9792:2025 – Fire Risk Assessment – Housing – Code of Practice.
This guide explains what it means for your legislative responsibilities, answers some of the most common questions and helps you understand its place in modern fire risk management. For the purposes of this guide, we are referring to PAS 79-1:2020 only.
PAS 79 aims to provide fire safety for both fire specialists and non-fire specialists, to include all necessary information and significant findings in a report. This does not imply that the sample template for recording findings contained with PAS 79-1 or BS 9792 need be used.
What does PAS 79 stand for?
PAS stands for Publicly Available Specification, which is a type of standard published by the British Standards Institution (BSI). Unlike full British Standards (BS), a PAS is developed more quickly to meet an emerging need. The existing PAS 79 was a widely used framework for fire risk assessments but in December 2020 a new standard was introduced to address updated requirements and improve compliance.
PAS 79 is for fire risk assessments. First published in 2005 and updated in 2012 and 2020, PAS 79-1 sets out a structured approach to carrying out and recording fire risk assessments in line with UK legislation. The new standard published in December 2020 included a housing specific section (PAS 79-2) now replaced by BS 9792:2025, which is intended to provide guidance for fire risk assessments in residential premises and help housing providers meet their legislative obligations.
In short, PAS 79-1 is a practical guide to help responsible persons meet their duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales, and equivalent legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Is PAS 79 still valid?
Technically no. Since PAS 79 has been withdrawn it is not a current standard in the eyes of BSI.
But the principles of PAS 79 are still widely applied in practice. Its step by step methodology for identifying fire hazards, evaluating risks and recording findings is a useful framework for risk assessors. A PAS 79 fire risk assessment focuses on identifying significant findings and developing an action plan that outlines specific tasks, responsibilities and deadlines to address both immediate and long term fire safety measures.
In other words while PAS 79 is not an official live document its content continues to influence how fire risk assessments are carried out in the UK. The assessment determines the overall level of risk and provides more specific recommendations for improvement. If your assessor is following a method based on PAS 79 you can be confident the process is structured and comprehensive.
What is the PAS standard for fire safety
PAS 79 was the BSI standard that set out a structured method for conducting and recording fire risk assessments. In 2020 it was split into two documents. PAS 79 part 1 2020 is still the guide for premises other than housing. PAS 79 part 2 2020 was for housing but has since been superseded by BS 9792 2025 which is now the British Standard for fire risk assessments in housing.
For multi occupied residential buildings the external walls must be considered in fire risk assessments. Where a detailed appraisal of external wall construction is required this should follow PAS 9980 2022 rather than the general FRA method.
The nine step method now expected in practice
Current good practice for housing follows a clear nine step flow. This was set out in the housing guidance and is carried forward and referenced in BS 9792. Use these steps to ensure your assessment is suitable and sufficient.
- Gather information about the building and its use including who lives or works there and any special circumstances.
- Identify fire hazards and the means to eliminate or control them.
- Evaluate the likelihood of fire starting in the specific context of the premises.
- Review existing fire protection measures such as detection warning, escape and containment.
- Examine fire safety management arrangements including maintenance testing housekeeping and training.
- Consider the potential consequences to people if a fire occurs including those who may need assistance.
- Form an overall evaluation of fire risk by balancing likelihood with consequences.
- Produce a prioritised action plan that details improvements timescales and responsible persons.
- Set the review period and record the significant findings using a clear pro forma so the logic and decisions are transparent.
Scope recap
- Housing fire risk assessments should now follow BS 9792 2025.
- Premises other than housing should continue to follow PAS 79 part 1 2020.
- External wall fire risk appraisal where needed uses PAS 9980 2022.
Legal position
Although the document titles have changed the duty remains the same. A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is required and it must be kept up to date. For housing this means following the structured approach in BS 9792 and external walls as per government guidance and PAS 9980 where necessary.
What is the PAS 79 accreditation?
There is no official “PAS 79 accreditation”. Instead PAS 79 was a guidance framework rather than a certification scheme. PAS 79 is recognised as a reputable methodology for both fire safety professionals and non-fire specialists.
What matters in practice is whether the fire risk assessor carrying out your review is competent, experienced and working to recognised standards of best practice. Many reputable consultancies including those registered with bodies such as the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) or the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) have historically used PAS 79 principles in their assessment process.
If you see references to PAS 79 accreditation it usually means the assessor is highlighting their ability to carry out assessments following the methodology in the PAS 79 guide rather than holding an official accreditation in it.
PAS 79 vs Current Practice
So where does this leave organisations today? While PAS 79 has been withdrawn the duty to carry out fire risk assessments remains the same. The Fire Safety Order requires every responsible person to ensure a fire risk assessment is carried out and reviewed regularly.
Key takeaways:
- Withdrawal doesn’t mean redundancy: The structured approach from PAS 79 still provides value in shaping thorough assessments.
- Focus on competence: Always ensure your assessor has recognised qualifications and experience. PAS 79 was a guide but competence is the legal requirement.
- Legislation takes priority: Current fire safety legislation including updates under the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 must be followed above all else.
- Documentation is key: Fire risk assessments must be documented thoroughly recording all necessary information and significant findings to demonstrate compliance with legislative responsibilities and future reviews.
Why PAS 79 Still Matters
Although PAS 79 is no longer current it’s still part of the fire safety journey. Think of it as a foundation stone: it gave organisations a practical tool to meet their requirements and raised the standard of fire risk assessment reporting.
For businesses, landlords, housing providers and facilities managers the message is clear: don’t get distracted by whether PAS 79 is live or withdrawn. What matters is you have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment in place carried out by a competent person. Assessors should approach fire risk assessments as if their own family were living or working in the building to ensure a thorough and diligent assessment.
What We Think
PAS 79 may be withdrawn but its legacy continues to influence fire risk assessment practice across the UK. For anyone with responsibilities under the Fire Safety Order the key is not the name of the standard but the quality and adequacy of the assessment itself.
If you’re unsure whether your building meets the latest requirements or your current fire risk assessment is out of date then seeking professional advice is the next step.
Our team carry out PAS 79-style fire risk assessments that meet the latest legislation and best practice. Whether you’re a landlord, business owner or facilities manager we can help you stay compliant and protect people in your buildings.
Get in touch to discuss your fire safety responsibilities and arrange a fire risk assessment tailored to your needs.