Glossary
Significant finding.
A finding from a fire risk assessment that warrants recording and action by the Responsible Person. The mandatory recorded element of every FRA under the post-2023 Fire Safety Order 2005 (as amended by Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022).
What makes a finding significant.
A finding is significant when it identifies a hazard, a control measure that is missing or weak, or a behavioural or environmental factor that materially affects fire risk in the building. Significant findings drive the action plan. Each significant finding should have a priority, a target close-out timeframe, and a clear evidence trail back to the on-site observation that produced it. Findings without traceable evidence are the most common reason a competent reviewer rejects an FRA.
Recording requirement.
Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 amended the FSO so that every FRA must now be recorded in writing, removing the previous five-employee threshold. The fire safety arrangements supporting the FRA must also be recorded. In practice this means the recorded report (with its significant findings) is the operating norm, regardless of premises size.