What to Expect During a Fire Service Fire Safety Audit at Your Business: A Comprehensive Guide
As a business owner or manager, ensuring the safety of your premises and employees is of the utmost importance.
One aspect of this is complying with fire safety regulations and carrying out regular fire risk assessments.
But what happens when your business is due for a fire safety audit?
In this blog article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on what to expect during a fire safety audit and how you can prepare for it.
Understanding the Legislation: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
In October 2006, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (FSO) was introduced, bringing all workplaces under the umbrella of fire safety regulations.
This order replaced previous legislations and made it a legal requirement for businesses to conduct a fire risk assessment.
This assessment must be carried out by a competent person and any significant findings must be recorded.
If there are five or more employees on the premises, the risk assessment must be recorded.
This order also introduced the concept of “relevant persons,” which includes both employees and visitors to your premises.
Why and When is a Fire Safety Audit Carried Out?
A fire safety audit can be carried out in many different ways.
In most cases, it will be part of a fire and rescue service’s risk-based inspection program, which determines how often your premises will be inspected based on its risk level.
It could also be triggered by a complaint made by someone, or as a follow-up after a fire incident on your premises.
Regardless of how it is initiated, a fire safety audit is an important step in ensuring the safety of your business.
What is the Audit Process?
Before conducting a fire safety audit, the inspecting officer will contact the responsible person (usually the business owner or manager) to schedule a suitable date and time.
They will then send a formal letter outlining the details of the visit and any documentation that will be required to be available to view.
This may include the fire risk assessment, which is the main document that demonstrates how you manage fire safety arrangements in your premises.
The inspecting officer will also look at other factors such as fire emergency procedures, staff training, and the overall management of the building.
How to Prepare for a Fire Safety Audit?
To ensure a smooth and efficient audit process, it’s essential to be prepared beforehand.
This includes having all necessary documentation readily available for the inspecting officer to review.
This not only demonstrates your commitment to fire safety but also makes their job easier.
It’s also a good idea to review your fire risk assessment before the audit to ensure it’s up to date and reflects any changes or improvements made to your premises.
What to Expect from the Fire Safety Officer?
When the inspecting officer arrives on your premises, they will conduct a thorough inspection of the building.
This may include looking at all fire safety systems such as alarms, extinguishers, and emergency lighting.
They may also ask you questions about your emergency procedures and staff training.
During this process, they may identify any areas that are not compliant with fire safety regulations or require improvement.
However, it’s important to note that their main objective is to assist you in improving your fire safety arrangements rather than punishing you.
Initial Enforcement Expectation
After conducting the audit, the inspecting officer will determine if there are any areas of non-compliance or risks that pose a danger to life.
They will then discuss their findings with you and explain what needs to be addressed.
Depending on the severity of the issues, they may issue formal letters or notices outlining what needs to be done to comply with regulations.
What Happens After the Inspection?
Once the inspection is complete, it’s essential to take action on any improvements or changes recommended by the inspecting officer.
Failure to do so may result in further enforcement action.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the audit or disagree with any enforcement action taken, there is an appeals process in place that you can follow.
In conclusion, a fire safety audit is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of your premises and employees.
It’s important to be prepared and have all necessary documentation available for the inspecting officer to review.
Remember that their main objective is to assist you in improving your fire safety arrangements rather than punishing you.
By following the necessary steps and addressing any issues identified, you can ensure a safe working environment for everyone on your premises.
