Avon Fire Authority has a statutory duty to enforce the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), to reduce the risk of fire causing death and serious injury to people. A fire safety audit may not be a full and comprehensive inspection of the premises, but an assessment of the steps you have taken to address fire safety matters within the premises. Avon Fire Authority carries out fire safety enforcement work through Business Fire Safety (BFS) Officers of Avon Fire & Rescue Service.
This means our Officers conduct fire safety audits on all commercial premises that fall under The Order to ensure they are complying with the legislation.
The types of premises they may go to are:
- Residential care homes
- Offices and shops
- Educational premises (including nurseries)
- Sleeping accommodation (blocks of flats, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO), hotels, sheltered accommodation, holiday homes/parks etc.)
- Cafes, bars & restaurants
- Factories and warehouses
- Theatres, cinemas, and similar premises
- Open air events and venues
- Healthcare premises
The four main reasons to conduct audits
What can you expect from an audit?
Before the audit
When your premises is due an audit, the inspecting Officer will make contact, usually with the manager or Responsible Person, to arrange this via email, telephone, or in person. Emails will be sent from our government address, such as ‘[email protected]’.
When a date and time has been arranged, you will be sent a letter (typically sent via email) to confirm this appointment, which documents they will need to view, and an Advisory Leaflet for Notes on Inspection and Enforcement Procedures.
The Officer may request you send copies of relevant documents prior to the audit. If your business is registered with a Primary Authority for fire safety, please tell us at the earliest opportunity.
During the audit
The Officer will need to view relevant documents, such as:
- Fire Risk Assessment
- Fire safety systems testing and maintenance (e.g., fire alarms, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment)
- Electrician Installation Condition Report (EICR)
- Written fire safety arrangements (e.g. Fire Safety Policy)
- Emergency procedures
- Staff training records
- Fire drill logs
The audit also involves an inspection of the building which may include the external areas. They will look at aspects such as:
- Escape routes
- Fire doors
- Checking the fire alarm panel is in full working order
- Provision of detection and emergency lighting
- Signage
The Officer may wish to talk to members of staff to confirm their level of fire safety awareness.
Any deficiencies identified during the audit will be discussed with you.
After the audit
You will receive a letter (typically sent via email) with the outcome of your audit. If it is believed there is a serious and imminent risk to life, formal action may be taken at the time of inspection.
Informal Action
Satisfactory – If there are no deficiencies identified, you will receive a Satisfactory inspection letter.
Level 1 – Report of Findings and Action Plan template.
Level 2 – Report of Findings and Action Plan template to be returned within 28 days.
Level 3 – Report of Findings, Action Plan template to be returned within 28 days, and a re-inspection to confirm appropriate action has been taken.
Formal Action
Level 4 – Enforcement Notice
Level 5 – Prohibition Notice
We aim to provide a consistently high quality service to the commercial/business community and address technical/legislative fire safety matters in accordance with Regulator’s Code and the regulatory principles required under the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006.
We will endeavour to minimise the cost of compliance for business by ensuring that any action taken, or advice offered, is proportionate to the risk. As far as the law allows, we will take account of the circumstances of the case and attitude of the people involved when considering action. We will take particular care to work with small businesses and organisations so that, where practicable, they can meet their legal obligations without unnecessary expense.
We believe that prevention is better than cure and our ethos is ‘Coach-to-Comply’. This means Officers will work with you to advise and assist with meeting the standard required to help keep people in the building safe from fire.
Failure to comply and serious offences may result in further legal action such as prosecution which could result in a fine and/or imprisonment. Notices may be held on the Public Register.
Fire Safety Officers
All Fire Safety Officers will be in uniform and carry an ID card which will be shown to you on request. This ID card includes a written warrant on the back which gives the Officer certain inspector powers under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This includes:
- Entering the premises at any reasonable time
- Make inquiries to ascertain whether The Order is being complied with and who the Responsible Person is
- Taking photographs as evidence
- Require the production of relevant information
- Take samples of any articles or substances for the purpose of ascertaining their fire resistance or flammability
Fire Safety Officers have powers to enforce fire safety legislation and regulations which may include serving Enforcement, Prohibition or Alteration Notices.
Further information on Enforcement, appeals and penalties can be found on the government website: Fire safety in the workplace: Enforcement, appeals and penalties – GOV.UK Fire Safety Order: enforcement and sanctions for non-compliance – GOV.UK