Short comparison
They ask different questions
The FRA asks what hazards exist, who may be harmed, whether precautions are adequate and what action is needed. It should be maintained as part of everyday fire-safety management.
An enforcement audit checks whether Responsible Persons and other dutyholders are meeting the Fire Safety Order and applicable regulations. It can examine the assessment, maintenance and training records, management arrangements and physical conditions.
| Feature | Fire risk assessment | Fire safety audit |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Identify and control life-safety fire risk. | Check compliance with fire-safety legislation. |
| Arranged by | Responsible person. | Enforcing authority, usually fire and rescue authority. |
| Carried out by | Competent in-house person or professional assessor. | Authorised inspecting officer. |
| Output | Recorded findings, emergency arrangements and action plan. | Audit outcome, advice, deficiencies or enforcement action. |
| Frequency | Reviewed regularly and after relevant change. | Determined through risk-based enforcement and other triggers. |
Dutyholder process
What the fire risk assessment should do
The FRA is not a pass certificate. It is a reasoned and recorded examination of the actual premises, people, hazards, precautions and management arrangements. It must be suitable and sufficient, lead to action and remain current.
The responsible person may appoint a competent assessor but retains responsibility for selecting suitable help, providing information and acting on the findings. The enforcing authority cannot complete the assessment for them.
- Define premises, dutyholders and assessment scope
- Identify hazards and people at risk
- Evaluate prevention, warning, escape and protection
- Record the full assessment and fire-safety arrangements
- Prioritise, assign and verify actions
- Review after change, fire, near miss or loss of validity
Enforcement process
What an inspecting officer may examine
Current government guidance describes audits as examination of fire-safety records and inspection of part or all of the premises. Audits are risk-based and may also follow a complaint, incident or information suggesting non-compliance.
The officer may ask for the FRA, emergency plan, maintenance and testing records, staff training and drill records, information about responsible persons and evidence that findings have been addressed. Staff knowledge and the physical condition of precautions may be checked against the paperwork.
- Full current FRA and action-plan status
- Fire-safety policy and management arrangements
- Alarm, emergency-lighting and firefighting-equipment records
- Fire-door, smoke-control and other system evidence where relevant
- Staff information, training and fire-drill records
- Cooperation and coordination in shared premises
- Resident information and residential duties where applicable
After the visit
An audit can lead to advice, notices or prosecution
Where only minor deficiencies are found, an officer may give verbal advice. More significant but lower-risk non-compliance may be recorded in a non-statutory notice or agreed action plan. Statutory enforcement is available where the legal tests are met.
A satisfactory outcome reflects the evidence and conditions examined at that time. It does not transfer the legal duty to the fire service or guarantee that later changes, deterioration or undisclosed areas are compliant. Continue reviewing the FRA and managing precautions.
Advice
Minor matters may be explained verbally.
Deficiency letter
Non-statutory notice can record breaches and expected action.
Enforcement notice
Requires failures to be remedied within a stated period.
Prohibition notice
Restricts or prohibits use where serious risk justifies it.
Alterations notice
Can require notification before specified future changes.
Prosecution
Reserved for offences where the evidential and public-interest tests are met.
Be audit-ready
Manage evidence before an officer visits
Audit readiness should come from normal fire-safety management, not a last-minute folder. Keep records current, close actions with evidence and ensure the documented emergency plan matches what staff and residents understand.
If an audit identifies a concern, clarify the facts, responsible person, legal provision, outcome required and timescale. Do not conceal defects or fabricate records. Where technical solutions are disputed or a notice is served, obtain competent and legal advice promptly.
- Know who will meet the officer and where records are held
- Check that FRA actions show honest current status
- Make all relevant areas safely accessible
- Explain shared duties and contractor arrangements
- Record questions, documents supplied and agreed next steps
- Escalate urgent life-safety issues immediately