Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, there is no definitive answer and it all depends on the type of building/premises you occupy, the construction of the building, who did the last fire risk assessment (for example, your competency/qualifications), whether there have been significant changes since the last fire assessment among many other factors.
The sole purpose of a fire risk assessment is to identify any risk within your building and then try to reduce, eliminate, or eliminate that risk to acceptable levels. It is then your responsibility to carry out the results of a fire risk assessment that you will find in the action plan and to stay on top of the maintenance of your fire protection systems, such as fire alarm and emergency lighting systems, completing your fire log book on a regular basis.
For most buildings, we recommend that your fire risk assessment be reviewed by a Competent Person at least every twelve months to ensure that deficiencies are identified and corrected on a regular basis and that there may be other changes to your building (for example , a multi-occupancy building), which you do not know could have an impact on fire safety within your building.
For lower risk properties you may decide to review your fire risk assessment only every two to three years, this may include a small shop with few staff and customers or a single story ground floor office with more than one fire escape . If in doubt I would recommend that you consult a professional fire risk assessor or a qualified fire safety consultancy.
Your local Fire Service acts as the enforcing authority for your building/establishment and may decide to visit you at any time to verify fire precautions within your building. They can ask to see your fire risk assessment at any time under the Fire Safety Regulation (Reform) Order 2005 and that is why it is important to ensure that your assessment is valid by making sure it contains up-to-date information and making sure that complies with the recommendations within the action plan.
By reviewing it every twelve months and keeping a fire log with all your records, you have the best chance of complying with fire safety legislation and keeping the occupants of your premises safe. Keeping a daily or weekly checklist is another good idea, as they are a good reminder to make sure your fire escape routes are kept clear, fire exits unblocked, etc.
Visit http://www.whalefire.co.uk for more information on any fire safety questions you may have.