Fire Safety Audit
A fire safety audit is a broader, often optional review of a building's fire safety arrangements. It is typically conducted by fire authorities or third-party specialists to ensure that fire safety management systems, procedures, and documentation are being maintained effectively.
Our audits ensure that active fire protection systems (detection, alarm, suppression, emergency lighting, extinguishers) and passive fire protection measures (compartmentation, fire doors, structural fire resistance) are in line with current legislation and the latest British Standards — identifying gaps before they become enforcement issues.
Serving Norwich · Dereham · Kings Lynn · Swaffham · Great Yarmouth · Thetford · Wymondham · North Walsham · Downham Market · Attleborough · Fakenham · Sheringham · Cromer · Holt · Aylsham · Diss · Loddon · Bungay · All of Norfolk
Key Aspects of a Fire Safety Audit
Checking fire safety systems such as alarms, extinguishers, sprinklers, and emergency lighting.
Reviewing escape routes, fire doors, and signage.
Assessing staff training and fire drills.
Verifying compliance with fire safety policies and procedures.
How an Audit Differs from a Fire Risk Assessment
Unlike an FRA, a fire safety audit is not legally mandatory for all businesses, but it is highly recommended to ensure ongoing compliance and to prepare for inspections or enforcement actions.
The audit provides a compliance review rather than identifying hazards, and it often complements the FRA by checking whether the risk mitigation measures are effectively implemented.
Audit vs. FRA at a glance
- FRA — identifies hazards and the people at risk (legally required)
- Audit — reviews whether measures are in place and maintained (recommended)
- Audit complements the FRA rather than replacing it
- Ideal preparation for fire authority inspections
Key Differences: Fire Risk Assessment vs. Fire Safety Audit
| Feature | Fire Risk Assessment | Fire Safety Audit |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Requirement | Yes, mandatory for non-domestic premises | No, generally optional but recommended |
| Purpose | Identify hazards, assess risks, and plan mitigation | Review effectiveness of fire safety management and compliance |
| Conducted By | Responsible person or competent assessor | Fire authority or third-party specialist |
| Outcome | Written report with prioritised action plan | Compliance review report with recommendations |
| Frequency | At least annually or after significant changes | Periodically or after events like renovations or incidents |
| Focus | Risk identification and reduction | System performance, procedures, and documentation |
Summary
In the UK, a fire risk assessment is a statutory requirement focused on identifying and managing fire risks, while a fire safety audit is a broader review of how well fire safety measures are implemented and maintained. Both processes are important: the FRA ensures legal compliance and hazard management, and the audit verifies that the safety systems and procedures are effective in practice.
What Is a Fire Safety Audit?
A fire safety audit is a systematic, independent review of a building's fire safety arrangements. It goes beyond a routine fire risk assessment by examining every layer of protection in detail — not just whether a hazard exists, but whether the measures in place to control it are correctly specified, installed, maintained and documented.
Where a fire risk assessment identifies hazards and records the general provisions, a fire safety audit verifies that those provisions actually perform as intended. It confirms that fire alarms are the correct category and coverage, that fire doors are the right rating and properly fitted, that compartmentation is intact, that emergency lighting meets the code, and that records of testing and maintenance are complete and current.
An audit provides the Responsible Person with a clear, defensible record that they have taken all reasonable steps to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Building Regulations.
A fire safety audit typically covers:
- Active fire protection systems — detection, alarm, suppression, emergency lighting and extinguishers
- Passive fire protection — compartmentation, fire doors, fire-stopping and structural fire resistance
- Means of escape — travel distances, protected routes, signage and final exits
- Fire safety management — policies, training, drills and emergency plans
- Testing, inspection and maintenance records
- Compliance with current legislation and standards
- Building layout and any alterations since the last assessment
- Identified gaps and a prioritised remediation plan
Active & Passive Fire Protection
Active Fire Protection
Systems that detect, alert or suppress fire and require a trigger or action to operate. Our audit verifies each is correctly specified, installed, commissioned and maintained.
- Fire detection & alarm systems (BS 5839-1)
- Emergency escape lighting (BS 5266-1)
- Fire extinguishers (BS 5306)
- Sprinkler & suppression systems
- Smoke control & ventilation
Passive Fire Protection
Built-in measures that contain or slow the spread of fire and smoke without needing to activate. Our audit confirms they are present, continuous and undamaged.
- Fire compartmentation & separation
- Fire-resisting doors & doorsets (BS 8214)
- Fire-stopping & penetration sealing
- Structural fire resistance
- Protected stairways & escape routes
Standards & Legislation We Audit Against
RRFSO 2005
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — the primary legislation governing fire safety in non-domestic premises, placing duties on the Responsible Person that our audit measures against.
BS 5839-1:2025
Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings — the code of practice we audit fire alarm systems against for category, coverage, installation and maintenance.
BS 5266-1:2025
Emergency lighting of premises — the code of practice we audit emergency escape lighting against for design, installation, testing and duration.
BS 8214:2026
Timber fire door assemblies — the code of practice we audit fire-resisting timber doorsets against for specification, installation, inspection and maintenance.
BS 5306 Series
Fire extinguishing installations — the code of practice we audit portable fire extinguishers against for selection, siting, installation and maintenance.
Building Regulations Approved Document B
Fire safety provisions for buildings — the functional requirements we audit the building's overall fire safety design against, including means of escape and compartmentation.
Our Fire Safety Audit Services
Comprehensive Fire Safety Audit
A full top-to-bottom audit of all active and passive fire protection measures, management arrangements and documentation, with a detailed written report.
Compliance Gap Analysis
A targeted review against current legislation and standards to identify shortfalls, with a clear, prioritised remediation plan and recommended actions.
Passive Fire Protection Survey
Detailed inspection of compartmentation, fire-stopping, fire doors and structural fire resistance to confirm continuity and integrity.
Documentation Review
Examination of fire risk assessments, test certificates, maintenance records and previous reports to confirm they are complete and current.
Remediation Support
Practical help to close identified gaps — from fire door repairs and fire-stopping to system upgrades and updated documentation.
Pre-Enforcement Audit
An independent audit ahead of a Fire and Rescue Service inspection or following an enforcement notice, giving you a clear position before the regulator calls.
When Is a Fire Safety Audit Needed?
A fire safety audit is recommended whenever you need a verified, evidence-based picture of your premises' compliance — rather than a routine hazard assessment alone.
Many Responsible Persons commission an audit annually, ahead of a regulator inspection, after significant building works, or when taking on a new premises with an unknown fire safety history.