By FRA scope
The standard periodic FRA cycle for higher-risk and higher-rise residential buildings. Annual reviews re-run the BS 9792 methodology against the current building condition, the current evidence base, and any changes since the last assessment.
What an annual review covers
The annual review applies the same BS 9792 methodology as the previous baseline. The assessor re-evaluates the building against the current state of the methodology, considers any changes since the last review (new findings, closed-out actions, building modifications, occupancy changes), and produces an updated report.
For most buildings on a stable management programme, the annual review confirms that the building has not materially changed and that the previous risk position remains current. Where changes have occurred, the action plan is updated and any new significant findings are recorded.
Carrying forward the baseline
The previous FRA is the input baseline for the annual review. Open action items are reviewed for status: closed out, in progress, or still open. Closed actions are recorded with the close-out evidence. New findings since the previous review are identified through the current site visit and any incident or concern records held by the dutyholder.
The current report is a clean current snapshot rather than a delta. It can stand on its own under enforcement scrutiny without the reader needing to assemble the prior report alongside.
Operational rhythm
For a housing organisation operating a portfolio of buildings on annual review, the cycle is continuous: at any given moment, some buildings are due for review, some are mid-review, some are recently issued, some are heading toward the next review. The portfolio dashboard shows the position at a glance.
For consultancies running FRA programmes for landlord clients, the annual cycle drives the booking calendar and the resourcing plan. Predictable cycles mean predictable workloads.
In FRA Flow
In FRA Flow, the annual review is initiated by selecting the property and starting a new assessment. The previous baseline's findings, evidence and action plan are carried forward as input to the workbench. The assessor reviews each open finding and records the current status alongside any new findings. The output report is a clean current snapshot with a clear audit trail back to the previous baseline.
FAQ
No. BS 9792 expects the interval to match the building's risk profile. Higher-risk and higher-rise blocks typically run on annual review. Lower-risk lower-rise blocks can run on longer cycles agreed with the competent assessor.
A no-change confirmation is itself a finding. The annual review records that the previous baseline remains current, the action plan items are still on track, and there is no new material risk. The report is reissued with current dates and signatures.
Some elements of the review can use desk-based work (action plan tracking, building information updates), but a competent annual review on a higher-risk building requires a current site visit. The methodology depends on the assessor seeing the building in its current state.
A significant change triggers a re-assessment that does not wait for the next annual cycle. The re-assessment is handled separately and resets the periodic clock from the date of the new report.
The portfolio dashboard shows every property's current FRA status, next review date, and any overdue position. Annual reviews can be scheduled in advance and assigned to assessors. The reviewer queue tracks work in progress.
Book a 30-minute walkthrough on a portfolio sized like yours.
