--- title: Why Your Current Fire Risk Assessment Might Now Be a Liability description: "The software solution for school compliance and premises management. Legionella in the News: The Pre-Return Reality for Estates" image: https://statlog.co.uk/hubfs/fire-Mar-30-2026-10-50-30-4537-AM.png --- [![Statlog logo-02](https://statlog.co.uk/hubfs/Statlog%20logo-02.svg "Statlog logo-02")](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/home) [![Statlog logo-02-1](https://statlog.co.uk/hubfs/Statlog%20logo-02-1.svg "Statlog logo-02-1")](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/home) - [Home](https://statlog.co.uk) - [About](https://statlog.co.uk/about) - Personas - [Site Manager](https://statlog.co.uk/site-manager) - [School Business Manager](https://statlog.co.uk/school-business-managers) - [Headteacher](https://statlog.co.uk/headteacher) - [Governing Body](https://statlog.co.uk/governing-body) - [Trusts, Dioceses and Local Authorities](https://statlog.co.uk/trusts-dioceses-and-local-authorities) - [Consultants](https://statlog.co.uk/consultants) - [Solutions](https://statlog.co.uk/solutions) - [News & Insights](https://statlog.co.uk/news-insights) - [Podcast](https://statlog.co.uk/podcast) - [Case Studies](https://statlog.co.uk/case-studies) - [Sign in](https://app.statlog.co.uk/sign_in) [Follow Us](https://www.linkedin.com/company/statlog/) [Subscribe](https://www.youtube.com/@StatlogUK) [Contact](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-contact) [Follow Us](https://www.linkedin.com/company/statlog/) [Subscribe](https://www.youtube.com/@Statloguk) [Contact](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-contact) [Follow Us](https://www.linkedin.com/company/statlog/) [Subscribe](https://www.youtube.com/@StatlogUK) [Contact](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-contact) - [Home](https://statlog.co.uk) - [About](https://statlog.co.uk/about) - Personas - [Site Manager](https://statlog.co.uk/site-manager) - [School Business Manager](https://statlog.co.uk/school-business-managers) - [Headteacher](https://statlog.co.uk/headteacher) - [Governing Body](https://statlog.co.uk/governing-body) - [Trusts, Dioceses and Local Authorities](https://statlog.co.uk/trusts-dioceses-and-local-authorities) - [Consultants](https://statlog.co.uk/consultants) - [Solutions](https://statlog.co.uk/solutions) - [News & Insights](https://statlog.co.uk/news-insights) - [Podcast](https://statlog.co.uk/podcast) - [Case Studies](https://statlog.co.uk/case-studies) - [Sign in](https://app.statlog.co.uk/sign_in) [Contact](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-contact) Statlog News & Insights #### Share this [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/why-your-current-fire-risk-assessment-might-now-be-a-liability&text=Why%20Your%20Current%20Fire%20Risk%20Assessment%20Might%20Now%20Be%20a%20Liability) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/why-your-current-fire-risk-assessment-might-now-be-a-liability&t=Why%20Your%20Current%20Fire%20Risk%20Assessment%20Might%20Now%20Be%20a%20Liability) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/why-your-current-fire-risk-assessment-might-now-be-a-liability&t=Why%20Your%20Current%20Fire%20Risk%20Assessment%20Might%20Now%20Be%20a%20Liability) # Why Your Current Fire Risk Assessment Might Now Be a Liability by [**Richard Melis**](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/author/richard-melis) on 30 Mar 2026, 11:50:46 If you manage an education estate, the push for stricter competency standards probably isn't news to you. You likely already know that BS 8674:2025 introduced a strict framework for fire risk assessors. What is new, however, is the mechanism the government has just activated to enforce it—and how easily it could catch out highly organised schools and trusts alike. Possessing the right compliance document written by the wrong person is rapidly becoming a board-level liability. Here is what just happened, and why it changes the immediate landscape for your estate.   The Digital Trap Closes If you’ve been following the Smarter Estate Management newsletter over the last few weeks, you’ll have already read about the launch of the DfE’s new Manage Your Education Estate digital service in February 2026. This isn't just a new portal; it represents a major shift from the DfE acting as a guidance provider to a data-driven regulator. Because of this launch, mandatory Estate Management Self-Assessment (EMSA) returns will begin this Autumn. These returns require you, as the Responsible Body, to declare that you have up-to-date risk assessments conducted by "competent persons". This is where the older guidance meets the new enforcement reality.   The Competency Gap For decades, the definition of a "competent person" under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 was highly subjective. The BS 8674 framework ended that ambiguity by establishing a three-tier model: Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced. The standard requires the complexity of a building to be matched by the competency of the assessor. A Foundation-level assessor is fine for a stand-alone nursery, but using them for a multi-story secondary school is a dangerous practice. The government has confirmed that mandatory competence will be independently verified by UKAS-accredited bodies, fulfilling a core recommendation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report. Here is the tension for this Autumn: if you declare your fire risk assessment is "suitable and sufficient" on your EMSA return, but the FRA in your filing cabinet was completed by an unaccredited assessor for a complex block, you may be making a false declaration. For trusts, the Academy Trust Handbook now explicitly links these exact estate management failings to formal "Notices to Improve" (NtIs), while maintained schools face equally strict regulatory interventions.   The Insurance Void The ultimate consequence of failing to align your older documentation with these new reporting mechanisms isn't just a regulatory intervention; it is severe financial exposure. Insurers are increasingly scrutinising the quality of fire risk assessments when evaluating claims. If a fire occurs and the insurer discovers the FRA was conducted by an assessor without the correct UKAS accreditation for that building's risk profile, they have the right to void the claim entirely. In that scenario, the MAT or local authority could be personally liable for tens of millions of pounds in rebuilding costs. The defensible position for an estate manager in 2026 is built on verified professional competency and transparent digital accountability. The standards might not be brand new, but the mechanisms tracking them are officially live. --- [Statlog](http://www.statlog.co.uk)... More than just compliance and premises software Topics: [Compliance](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/compliance) [Multi-Academy trust](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/multi-academy-trust) [Strategic](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/strategic) [Competency](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/competency) [School](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/school) [Site Team](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/site-team) [Vetted Contractors](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/vetted-contractors) [School Compliance Software](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/school-compliance-software) [Safety](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/safety) [Health and Safety](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/health-and-safety) [DfE](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/dfe) #### Share this [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/why-your-current-fire-risk-assessment-might-now-be-a-liability&text=Why%20Your%20Current%20Fire%20Risk%20Assessment%20Might%20Now%20Be%20a%20Liability) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/why-your-current-fire-risk-assessment-might-now-be-a-liability&t=Why%20Your%20Current%20Fire%20Risk%20Assessment%20Might%20Now%20Be%20a%20Liability) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/why-your-current-fire-risk-assessment-might-now-be-a-liability&t=Why%20Your%20Current%20Fire%20Risk%20Assessment%20Might%20Now%20Be%20a%20Liability) ### No Comments Yet Let us know what you think - Recent - Topics - Archive Recent Topics - [Multi-Academy trust (87)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/multi-academy-trust) - [Strategic (80)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/strategic) - [School (79)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/school) - [Site Team (64)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/site-team) - [Efficiency (57)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/efficiency) - [Compliance (51)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/compliance) - [School Compliance Software (38)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/school-compliance-software) - [software (32)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/software) - [Competency (31)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/competency) - [Budget (30)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/budget) - [Software as a Service (29)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/software-as-a-service) - [School Premises Management Software (24)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/school-premises-management-software) - [DfE (20)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/dfe) - [School Reputation (20)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/school-reputation) - [School Compliance (19)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/school-compliance) - [Building Survey (17)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/building-survey) - [Captial Programme Manager (17)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/captial-programme-manager) - [Competent (16)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/competent) - [School Premises Management Solution (16)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/school-premises-management-solution) - [Health and Safety (15)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/health-and-safety) - [Safety (15)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/safety) - [Primary School (13)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/primary-school) - [Asset Manager (12)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/asset-manager) - [Database (11)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/database) - [Secondary School (11)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/secondary-school) - [Document Manager (10)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/document-manager) - [CDM Regulations (9)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/cdm-regulations) - [Project Manager (9)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/project-manager) - [Conditional Assessment (6)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/conditional-assessment) - [Site Manager (6)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/site-manager) - [Vetted Contractors (6)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/vetted-contractors) - [Free Expert Advice (5)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/free-expert-advice) - [Mental Heath (5)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/mental-heath) - [Sustainability (5)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/sustainability) - [Governance Guide (4)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/governance-guide) - [Safeguarding (4)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/safeguarding) - [School Survey (4)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/school-survey) - [Statutory requirements (4)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/statutory-requirements) - [SEMS (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/sems) - [Asbestos (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/asbestos) - [Benedict's Law (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/benedicts-law) - [Caretaker (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/caretaker) - [Fire Safety (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/fire-safety) - [Let's talk premises (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/lets-talk-premises) - [CIF (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/cif) - [Capital Planning (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/capital-planning) - [Culture (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/culture) - [Energy (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/energy) - [GEMS (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/gems) - [HSE (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/hse) - [Legionella (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/legionella) - [Lockdown (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/lockdown) - [Martyn's Law (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/martyns-law) - [Ofsted (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/ofsted) - [Planned Preventative Maintenance (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/planned-preventative-maintenance) - [Podcast (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/podcast) - [Procurement (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/procurement) - [Summer Break (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/summer-break) - [Telecoms (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/telecoms) - [Well-being (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/well-being) - [Working at height (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/working-at-height) - [survey (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/tag/survey) See all Archive - [September 2026 (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2026/09) - [August 2026 (4)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2026/08) - [July 2026 (4)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2026/07) - [June 2026 (5)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2026/06) - [May 2026 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2026/05) - [April 2026 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2026/04) - [March 2026 (4)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2026/03) - [February 2026 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2026/02) - [January 2026 (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2026/01) - [December 2025 (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/12) - [November 2025 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/11) - [October 2025 (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/10) - [September 2025 (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/09) - [August 2025 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/08) - [July 2025 (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/07) - [June 2025 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/06) - [May 2025 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/05) - [April 2025 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/04) - [March 2025 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/03) - [February 2025 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/02) - [January 2025 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2025/01) - [December 2024 (4)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2024/12) - [November 2024 (5)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2024/11) - [October 2024 (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2024/10) - [September 2024 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2024/09) - [August 2024 (2)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2024/08) - [July 2024 (5)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2024/07) - [June 2024 (5)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2024/06) - [May 2024 (7)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2024/05) - [April 2024 (5)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2024/04) - [March 2024 (3)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2024/03) - [February 2024 (1)](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/archive/2024/02) See all ### Subscribe by email [![Statlog logo-02](https://statlog.co.uk/hubfs/Statlog%20logo-02.svg "Statlog logo-02")](https://www.statlog.co.uk) Personas - [Site Manager](https://statlog.co.uk/site-manager) - [School Business Manager](https://statlog.co.uk/school-business-managers) - [Headteacher](https://statlog.co.uk/headteacher) - [Governing Body](https://statlog.co.uk/governing-body) - [Trusts, Dioceses and Local Authorities](https://statlog.co.uk/trusts-dioceses-and-local-authorities) - [Consultants](https://statlog.co.uk/consultants) Modules - [Contractors Database](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) - [Central Overview of Sites](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) - [Site Manager Tests](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) - [Specialist Contractor Tests](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) - [PPM Tests](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) - [Strategic Survey Tool](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) - [Capital Programme Manager](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) - [Project Manager](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) - [Tasks](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) - [Asset Manager](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) - [Document Manager](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) - [Helpdesk](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/solutions#Statlog-Modules) Statlog - [Home](https://statlog.co.uk) - [About](https://statlog.co.uk/about) - [Solutions](https://statlog.co.uk/solutions) - [News & Insights](https://statlog.co.uk/news-insights) - [Podcast](https://statlog.co.uk/podcast) - [Case Studies](https://statlog.co.uk/case-studies) - [Sign in](https://app.statlog.co.uk/sign_in) - [Contact](https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-contact) Copyright © Statlog Pro Limited 2026 Company Number 12351224 The Pavilion, Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot SL5 7JF - [Terms & Conditions | Policies](https://26498344.hs-sites-eu1.com/statlog-policies) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Richard Melis", "url" : "https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/author/richard-melis" }, "dateModified" : "2026-03-30T10:59:47.585Z", "datePublished" : "2026-03-30T10:50:46.000Z", "headline" : "Why Your Current Fire Risk Assessment Might Now Be a Liability", "image" : [ "https://statlog.co.uk/hubfs/fire-Mar-30-2026-10-50-30-4537-AM.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://statlog.co.uk/statlog-news-insights/why-your-current-fire-risk-assessment-might-now-be-a-liability", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://statlog.co.uk/hubfs/Statlog%20logo-01-1.png" }, "name" : "Statlog" } } ```