Choosing Fire Risk Assessment Software That Actually Works for You

If you're a fire risk assessor shopping for software right now, you've probably noticed the same thing we have: pricing is all over the place, half the tools hide behind demo walls, and it's surprisingly hard to get a straight answer about what you're actually paying for.

Rather than naming names, this guide gives you a practical checklist for evaluating any fire risk assessment tool — including ours. Use it to compare options on merit and find what fits your workflow.

The Essential Feature Checklist

Before you sign up for anything, run the tool through these criteria. They're based on what actually matters when you're doing assessments day-to-day.

1. Structure Based on PAS 79:2020

Your reports need to follow the recognised standard. Any serious fire risk assessment software should guide you through the PAS 79:2020 structure without you having to build templates from scratch. If you're unfamiliar with the standard, we've written a full PAS 79 guide that breaks it down.

What to check: Does the tool follow PAS 79:2020 sections out of the box, or do you need to build your own template?

2. Speed of Completing an Assessment

Time on site is money. The tool should reduce your admin, not add to it. Pre-populated fields, reusable templates, and quick photo attachment all make a real difference over dozens of assessments per month. If your software adds 20 minutes per report, that's hours lost every week you'll never bill for.

What to check: Can you complete a full assessment in under 30 minutes of admin time? Time yourself on a trial assessment.

3. Professional PDF Report Quality

Your clients judge your work by the report they receive. Clean formatting, your own branding, logical structure — these aren't optional extras. A professional PDF is table stakes.

What to check: Generate a sample report. Would you be confident sending it to a building manager or landlord as-is?

4. Transparent, Published Pricing

You shouldn't need a sales call to find out what a tool costs. Monthly pricing should be published on the website, and ideally there's a free tier or trial so you can actually test the workflow before committing. Hidden pricing usually means higher pricing.

What to check: Can you find the price on the website within 60 seconds? Is there a free trial or free tier?

5. Mobile and Tablet Friendly

Most assessors work on iPads or tablets on site. The software needs to work properly on those devices — not just a desktop app with a responsive wrapper bolted on.

What to check: Open the tool on your tablet. Can you complete an assessment without pinching, zooming, or fighting the interface?

6. Built-in Action Tracking

Flagging fire safety deficiencies is only half the job. Tracking remedial actions, setting review dates, and chasing outstanding items should be built in, not managed in a separate spreadsheet.

What to check: When you flag a deficiency, does the tool automatically create a trackable action with priority and due date?

7. Review Scheduling and Reminders

Reassessment dates are a compliance requirement. Your software should remind you when reviews are due — not leave you to track them manually in a calendar.

What to check: Does the tool send automatic reminders before a review is due?

8. No Demo Wall

If a tool won't let you try it without a sales conversation, that tells you something about their sales model. Tools worth paying for let you evaluate them on your own terms.

What to check: Can you sign up and start using the tool today, without booking a demo call?

Quick Evaluation Scorecard

Use this table to score any tool you're considering. Rate each criterion as Yes, Partial, or No:

Criterion	What "Yes" looks like
PAS 79:2020 structure	Sections pre-built, follows guidance
Fast assessment workflow	Under 30 minutes admin per report
Professional PDF output	Branded, clean, client-ready
Published pricing	Visible on website, no sales call needed
Free tier or trial	Test with a real assessment before paying
Mobile/tablet friendly	Full functionality on iPad or tablet
Action tracking	Auto-created from findings with priorities
Review scheduling	Automated reminders before due dates
Instant signup	No demo wall, start immediately
Data export	Download your data (CSV, PDF) any time

A tool that scores "Yes" across the board is worth your time. Anything with multiple "No" answers should make you think twice — especially on pricing transparency and the ability to try before you buy.

What About Cost?

Annual software costs for FRA tools in the UK typically range from under £500/year to over £1,500/year. That's a significant spread. For a sole trader, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive option could cover your PI insurance or a CPD course.

When comparing costs, consider:

Monthly vs annual billing — most tools offer a discount for paying annually (typically 15–20% off).
Per-user vs flat rate — if you work with subcontractors, per-user pricing can escalate quickly.
Assessment limits — some plans cap monthly assessments. Make sure the limit matches your workload.
Hidden costs — watch for charges for PDF downloads, additional sites, or premium support.

How AssessKit Measures Up

We built AssessKit specifically for solo assessors and small firms who want professional PAS 79 reports without overpaying.

PAS 79:2020 structure: Built in. Every assessment follows the standard sections.
Pricing: Starts at £39/mo (£33/mo annual). Published on our pricing page.
Free tier: 2 assessments per month, no credit card required.
Instant signup: No demo call, no sales conversation. Sign up and start immediately.
Action tracking: Auto-created from findings with priorities and due dates.
Review scheduling: Automatic email reminders 30 days before reviews are due.
Mobile friendly: Responsive web app that works on tablets, laptops, and desktops.
Data export: Download clients and assessments as CSV. Download PDFs any time.

Start with AssessKit's free tier — no card required, no demo call, no commitment. Build an assessment, generate a report, and see whether it fits how you work.

What to Look for in Fire Risk Assessment Software (UK, 2026)