Help & Guidance 

Local Fire and Rescue Services conduct regular fire safety inspections on premises to ensure that they comply with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This will involve a visit from a representative of the Fire and Rescue Service who will carry out an assessment of the building.

WHAT HAPPENS ON AN INSPECTION?

A fire safety inspector will check out the workplace, the activities undertaken there and your management of fire safety. They'll also audit your fire risk assessment to ensure that you're complying with fire safety law. One of the checks the inspector will need to verify will be the Fire Doors forming compartmentation of areas in the building.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 has consolidated some 118 pieces of old legislation! One of its main objectives is to place greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic buildings. There is specific legislation that applies to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. To ensure that your premises comply, it’s likely that they will assess the structure and construction of the building, review escape routes, examine the means of raising the alarm in the event of fire and talk to your employees about their roles and the actions they will need to take in the event of a fire.

If a breach of fire safety legislation is found, a fire safety inspector can take action in several ways. They might deal with minor matters informally, offering help and advice. For more serious non-compliance, they can issue formal notices or take measures to enforce the law there and then.

HOW TO  PREPARE FOR A FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION?

An inspection could happen at any time, so it’s important to make sure that you can access the relevant paperwork and have the answers to the questions they may have.

Important things to remember:

• Someone in your company must be appointed the ‘Responsible Person’. For the most part, this will be the employer or any other person who may have control of fire safety or in-charge of the facility.
• Ensure the Responsible Person is competent and has carried out a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) of your premises.
• Review the FRA regularly – once a year is often sufficient.

WHAT DOES A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT INCLUDE?

A fire risk assessment is an assessment of the risks from fire and involves a process that takes reasonable steps to remove or reduce any risks.

Here are some useful steps that you can follow when putting together an FRA:

1. Identify the fire hazards.
2. Identify people at risk.
3. Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks.
4. Document your findings and prepare an emergency plan with training.
5. Ensure all safety equipment is compliant.
6. Ensure all installed Fire Doors are fit for purpose and compliant.
7. Review and update the fire risk assessment regularly.

HOW TO DEAL WITH A FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION?

It’s important to remember that a fire safety inspector is there to help safe lives and keep you safe. While any problems that they might find are likely to cost money to put right, it’s all in the best interests of you and your staff.

BE FRIENDLY 

Be polite and approachable. Don't be defensive or obstructive.

BE ORGANISED

Have your statutory documents in one place, including the fire risk assessment, general workplace risk assessments and statutory test certificates for fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire door inspections and sprinkler systems.

BE PROACTIVE

Ask the fire safety inspector for advice or help. While they are there to enforce the law, part of their role is also to offer guidance for businesses to comply with fire safety. They are there to help.

BE CALM

If a breach of fire safety law is found, ask the fire officer to help you comply with any minor issues. They can also provide you with any advice in writing after the inspection. 

BE QUICK

Appoint a competent contractor to help you act on the findings of your FRA and act on any breaches reported to you by the fire safety inspector.

KFDI carryout and undertake such works that are identified on an FRA, relating to the installed Fire Doors , working to ensure you're compliance.

If you decide to use your own preferred builder, their work will need to be assessed and the fire doors will need to be inspected to be signed off for compliance.

All the information sourced and provided here is aimed to assist you with your Fire Safety Policies. We hope this information helps in someway and if you still have concerns please feel free to contact us.