If you’re the designated responsible person for a premises, the following section provides valuable information to help you prepare for fire safety audits. It covers essential aspects related to your role within the premises.
Are you the Responsible Person for your business?
We help those responsible for commercial or industrial buildings in the Lincolnshire area, as well as residential buildings with two or more separate homes. Our guidance includes various fire safety topics:
- Alarms
- Emergency Evacuation Plans
- Emergency Lighting
- External Wall Systems (e.g., cladding and living/green walls)
- Fire Doors
- Fire Engine Access and Water Supply
- Fire Engineering
- Firefighting Equipment
- Fire Safety Staff Training
- Historic Buildings
- Means of Escape
Fire Risk Assessments
While we cannot directly conduct Fire Risk Assessments due to our role as the enforcing authority, we provide advice on our Fire Risk Assessments page, including a list of competent assessors.
Building inspections
Our Fire Safety Inspecting team performs inspections to ensure compliance with fire safety legislation. Here are the situations in which we carry out inspections:
- Serious Fire Risk Reported: When members of the public report fire risks, we visit the building within 24 hours of receiving the complaint.
- Fire Incident Occurs: If a fire occurs in a building covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2006 (as amended by the Fire Safety Act 2021), an inspecting officer assesses the situation. Criteria include injuries or fatalities.
Purpose of inspections:
- Verify compliance with fire safety legislation
- Determine preventability of the fire
- Confirm ongoing safety
- Prevent similar incidents in the future
Regular program of inspections
Buildings in Lincolnshire receive risk scores based on their type and associated risks (e.g. care homes have higher risk scores). Higher-risk buildings undergo more frequent inspections.
Identifying genuine Inspecting Officers or Advisers
Before an inspection, we usually arrange a visit. However, if unsure, ask to see the warrant card of the person at your door. If further verification is needed, contact our fire safety support line at 01522 553 868.
Duration of inspections
Inspection duration varies based on building size and scope:
- Most properties: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Large or complex premises (e.g., hospitals, historic buildings): up to 3 hours
Preparing for an inspection
To minimize disruption, consider the following steps in advance:
- Guide: Make someone available to show us around the building, ideally someone responsible for fire safety.
- Records: Have your fire safety records readily accessible for the inspection.
- Staff Availability: Be prepared for us to talk to staff working in the building.
After the inspection
The local Fire Safety Inspecting Officer or Advisor will classify the inspection outcome based on risk level:
- Broadly Compliant: Verbal advice for necessary actions.
- Notification of Fire Deficiencies (NOD): Written document with deadlines for corrective actions.
- Enforcement Notice: Detailed written instructions with deadlines (also goes on a public register).
- Enforcement Notice with Consideration of Prosecution: Similar to the above, with potential legal action.
- Article 31 (Restriction/Prohibition Notice): Legally binding restrictions on building use, monitored through spot checks.
If the outcome isn’t ‘Broadly Compliant,’ expect a written document in the following weeks. We prioritise collaboration to resolve risks promptly.