What to Do if You Receive a Fire Safety Enforcement Notice: A 5-Step Recovery Plan

Receiving a Fire Safety Enforcement Notice from the Fire Service is a serious and stressful moment for any business owner or property manager. It indicates that an inspection has found significant failures in your compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO).

The notice isn't just a warning; it is a legal directive that outlines exactly what is wrong and provides a strict deadline for rectification. Failure to comply can lead to heavy fines, prosecution, or even a Prohibition Notice that shuts down your building immediately. However, an enforcement notice is also a roadmap to safety. By following this 5-step recovery plan, you can regain control, ensure the safety of your occupants, and discharge your legal duties.

Step 1: Don't Panic, but Respect the Deadlines

The moment you receive the notice, the clock starts ticking. Typically, you have 21 days from the date of service to appeal the notice if you believe it is unfair or incorrect. However, for most, the focus should be on the completion deadline.

Read the notice carefully. It will specify a date by which all remedial actions must be completed. Ignoring this date is a criminal offence. Your first action should be to acknowledge receipt and begin assembling your response team.

Step 2: Analyse the "Schedule of Works"

Attached to every enforcement notice is a Schedule of Works. This is the most important part of the document. It details the specific breaches found during the inspection. Common failures include:

• An outdated or inadequate Fire Risk Assessment (FRA).
• Non-compliant or damaged fire doors (e.g., missing seals or faulty closers).
• Breaches in fire compartmentation (unsealed gaps where pipes or cables pass through fire-rated walls).
• Inadequate fire alarm systems or emergency lighting.

Understanding the technical nature of these breaches is the key to fixing them. This is where general maintenance staff often fall short, as these issues require specialist fire safety knowledge.

Step 3: Appoint a Competent Professional Partner

The Fire Service expects the Responsible Person to appoint "competent persons" to carry out remedial work. Attempting a "DIY" fix on fire doors or using uncertified contractors for fire stopping is exactly what leads to enforcement notices in the first place.

You need a partner with third-party accreditation (such as BAFE or IFC) to ensure that the work is not only done but is certified. Fire Stoppers specialises in "rescue" compliance. We can review your schedule of works and provide the certified fire door repairs and fire stopping solutions required to satisfy the inspector.

Step 4: Proactive Engagement with the Fire Officer

One of the biggest mistakes business owners make is hiding from the Fire and Rescue Service. Fire Officers are not your enemies; their goal is to build safety.

If the work required is extensive and you cannot realistically meet the deadline, engage with the officer early. If you can show a clear plan, an appointed certified contractor, and a start date, officers are often willing to discuss an extension. Keeping them in the loop demonstrates that you are taking your responsibilities seriously.

Step 5: Execute, Document, and Close the Notice

Once the remedial works are underway, documentation is your best friend. For every fire door repaired and every penetration sealed, you need an audit trail.

• Photographic Evidence: Keep "before and after" photos of the work.
• Certificates of Conformity: Ensure your contractor provides official certification for all passive fire protection (PFP) work.
• Updated FRA: Once the physical works are done, your Fire Risk Assessment must be updated to reflect the new, compliant status of the building.

Once all items on the schedule are completed, notify the FRS. They will likely re-inspect the premises. If they are satisfied with the work and the documentation, they will issue a letter confirming that the enforcement notice has been withdrawn.

Recover Your Compliance with Fire Stoppers

Receiving an enforcement notice is a wake-up call, but it doesn't have to be a disaster. By acting fast and choosing a certified partner, you can turn a compliance failure into a robust safety strategy.

Fire Stoppers has extensive experience in helping businesses manage enforcement notices, providing the technical expertise and certified documentation needed to appease the authorities and protect your business.

Have you received an enforcement notice? Contact Fire Stoppers today for a priority compliance consultation.