The Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool (FRAPT)

FRAPT is an online tool created by the Home Office and the National Fire Chief's Council for use by Responsible Persons to help them prioritise updating and reviewing their fire risk assessment for their building(s). 

Please note however, FRAPT is not a replacement for a Fire Risk Assessment.

Before using FRAPT

Before using FRAPT Responsible Persons (RPs) should read and use the helpful Guidance published by the Home Office. 

The Guidance is for use by RPs or anyone who has any control of the buildings, to help them comply with their legal duties. 

What the Guidance provides

The Guidance is there to support RPs for buildings with two or more sets of domestic premises. It is intended to help them '...review and where necessary update their fire risk assessments to take account of the structure, external walls and flat entrance doors.'

The Guidance also deals with how this impacts on RPs, finding a competent professional, the FRAPT and what it does, and demonstrating compliance. 

Following the Guidance and using FRAPT

While there is no legal requirement to follow the Guidance, please be aware that '... a court can consider whether a responsible person has complied (or not) with their duties under the Fire Safety Order by following this guidance.'

Using FRAPT together with the Guidance will help an RP to show they have been diligent in meeting their legal obligations. 

Kent Fire and Rescue Service recommend that RPs follow the Guidance and use FRAPT. 

Why RPs should use FRAPT

The Fire Safety Act 2021 requires RPs to review and update their fire risk assessment for buildings that have two or more sets of domestic premises, taking '...account of the structure, external walls and flat entrance doors.' 

You can find more information about the law and what it means for RPs on our Fire Safety (England) Regulations and Building Safety Act pages.

How to access and use FRAPT

Only RPs should complete a FRAPT and should read the Guidance before using the tool

1. Access to FRAPT is online via the Home Office.

2. You will be asked to create an account.

3. You will be required to answer a series of questions about the building. You can find examples of the type of questions you will be asked at section 22 of the Guidance.

4. It is important the answers you give are accurate, as they will be used by FRAPT to provide a score and priority rating for the building you are responsible for.

5. On the basis of your answers, FRAPT will give a score and a priority rating for your building to help prioritise the fire assessment for that building.

6. The priority categories are set out in the Guidance as:

  • Tier 1 – very high priority
  • Tier 2 – high priority
  • Tier 3 – medium priority
  • Tier 4 – low priority
  • Tier 5 – very low priority

7.  Please see sections 30-40 of the Guidance which provide detailed information regarding each tier and priority rating for the review of the building's fire risk assessment. 

Need help?

Contact our Business Safety Helpline, where you can obtain free, friendly advice and help. 

Call us now on:  01622 212 442 (lines open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday), or email us on: businessfiresafety@kent.fire-uk.org