Short answer
BS 9792:2025 is the British Standard code of practice for fire risk assessment in housing, published by BSI on 1 August 2025. It replaced PAS 79-2:2020, which BSI has withdrawn, and covers blocks of flats, HMOs, specialised housing such as sheltered and supported housing, and student accommodation. Premises other than housing, including care homes, are still assessed to PAS 79-1:2020.
What does BS 9792:2025 cover?
The BSI product page and BSI's guidance article set out the scope.
| In scope | Out of scope |
|---|---|
| Purpose-built and converted blocks of flats and maisonettes | Single-household private homes |
| Houses in multiple occupation | Short-term lets |
| Specialised housing, such as sheltered and supported housing | Care homes, which use PAS 79-1:2020 |
| Student accommodation in those forms | Non-domestic premises |
| Common parts serving homes in mixed-use buildings | Premises under construction |
What changed from PAS 79-2?
BSI describes BS 9792:2025 as a full revision and formal conversion of PAS 79-2:2020 into a British Standard. The changes BSI lists include:
- Assessment types aligned with the principles section of the standard
- A new standard pro forma for recording the assessment
- Shorter commentary
- Expanded guidance on evacuation, with an annex on people with specific evacuation needs
- References updated to documents published since December 2020, and content reflecting later legislation
- Written by a new independent expert panel
Does the method change?
BS 9792:2025 keeps a 9-step method: gather information, identify hazards, assess the likelihood of fire, identify protection measures, assess fire safety management, assess consequences, assess overall risk, write an action plan, and set a review date. It notes that a 5-step approach is consistent with this, provided the process is structured.
Risk is rated on a 5-point scale: trivial, tolerable, moderate, substantial or intolerable.
What are the 4 types of fire risk assessment in BS 9792:2025?
| Type | Areas covered | Inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Common parts only, with a sample of flat entrance doors | Non-intrusive |
| Type 2 | Common parts only | Intrusive |
| Type 3 | Common parts and dwellings | Non-intrusive |
| Type 4 | Common parts and dwellings | Intrusive |
The older LGA guide for purpose-built blocks of flats used the same 4 types but described inspection as destructive or non-destructive. BS 9792:2025 uses the words intrusive and non-intrusive.
What does BS 9792:2025 say about external walls and competence?
External walls of plain masonry without risky attachments can normally be accepted and recorded. Other walls may need a fire risk appraisal of external walls under PAS 9980:2026, which BS 9792 does not cover. PAS 9980:2026 was published on 30 September 2026 and replaced the 2022 edition.
The standard says assessments must be carried out by a competent person who knows the limits of their competence. It asks the assessor to record their name, contact details and qualifications, and the name and qualifications of anyone who checked the report. BS 8674:2025 separately sets a competence framework for individual fire risk assessors.
Which premises still use PAS 79-1:2020?
PAS 79-1:2020, the code of practice for premises other than housing, was published on 31 December 2020. At 9 October 2026 BSI lists it as current and names no replacement. It is the standard Garrison FM uses for offices, shops, care homes and other workplaces. Only the housing part, PAS 79-2, has been replaced.
Is an assessment written to PAS 79-2 still valid?
The law does not name a code of practice. The test in article 9 of the Fire Safety Order is whether the assessment is suitable and sufficient. A withdrawn standard on the cover does not by itself make an assessment unlawful.
Garrison FM's view is that a housing assessment citing PAS 79-2 should be reviewed against BS 9792:2025 at its next review date, and sooner if it predates the October 2023 recording rules or does not name the assessor. Send it to us for a free check of its date and standard.
Primary sources
This guide explains the law in England as at 9 October 2026. It is general information, not legal advice.