Define the task
Four activities commonly called a fire safety inspection
A responsible person may arrange all four activities, but they are not interchangeable. The instruction, competence, report and outcome should make clear which service is being provided.
Routine premises check
A frequent visual and functional check by an informed person against a defined schedule.
System inspection or service
Competent maintenance of alarms, lighting, extinguishers, doors or other protection.
Fire-safety audit
A wider review of management arrangements, evidence and compliance, often independent.
Enforcement inspection
A statutory visit by the relevant enforcing authority using powers under the Fire Safety Order.
Responsible-person checks
What should routine workplace fire-safety checks cover?
The exact checklist should come from the FRA and installed systems. It commonly covers escape routes and exits, alarm status, fire doors, emergency lighting indicators, extinguishers, signs, housekeeping, high-risk activities and any temporary impairment.
A visual check does not prove concealed construction, fire resistance or specialist system performance. If damage, uncertainty or repeated failure is found, escalate to a competent person and record any interim control.
- Routes and final exits are clear, usable and correctly secured
- Fire doors are unobstructed and obvious defects are reported
- Alarm panel shows normal condition and call points are accessible
- Emergency lights and illuminated signs appear undamaged
- Extinguishers remain present, accessible and apparently serviceable
- Waste, storage, charging and ignition controls are followed
- Known defects and temporary measures remain controlled
Scheduling
How often should fire safety inspections be carried out?
There is no single statutory inspection frequency covering every precaution in every building. Use the FRA, official guidance, relevant standards, manufacturer instructions, licence conditions and the building’s own failure history to set the schedule.
Some simple operational conditions may need checking daily or whenever the premises opens; user tests may be weekly or monthly; competent servicing may be six-monthly or annual depending on the system. Label the basis for each frequency rather than presenting every interval as law.
Fire authority
What happens during a fire authority inspection?
An inspector may examine the premises and request records to establish whether the Fire Safety Order is being complied with. The visit may be programmed, intelligence-led or prompted by a complaint, incident or other concern.
Be ready to identify the responsible person, produce the current FRA and arrangements, explain action progress and provide evidence for maintenance, training, drills and cooperation. Inspectors have statutory powers; obstructing them or failing to comply with certain requirements can be an offence.
| Evidence area | What it should demonstrate |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Current scope, significant findings, limitations, responsible person and assessor identity |
| Actions | Priorities, owners, deadlines, interim controls and verified closure |
| Systems and structure | Testing, competent maintenance, faults, repairs and relevant fire-door or compartmentation evidence |
| People and plans | Emergency arrangements, information, training, drills and assistance |
| Shared premises | Control boundaries, cooperation and exchange of relevant risks |
After inspection
Turn every finding into controlled action
Triage defects by risk rather than by the order they appear on a checklist. An unavailable exit or failed warning system may need immediate action; lower-risk administrative improvements may allow a planned deadline.
Record the observation, location, risk, temporary measure, owner and target date. Closure should require evidence or reinspection proportionate to the finding. Where a defect changes the assumptions or validity of the FRA, review and revise it.
- Make unsafe conditions safe or restrict use immediately
- Tell affected people and other responsible persons
- Use competent specialists where diagnosis or repair requires it
- Track actions to evidence-based closure
- Analyse recurring defects and missed checks
- Retain the inspection and repair history