Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Fire safety enforcement notice
– this is very 
similar to the health and safety improvement notice 
and is served when, in the opinion of the enforcer, the 
responsible person or other person has failed to comply 
with any aspect of the RRO.
Fire fi ghters’ switches for luminous discharge 
tubes
– luminous tube signs designed to work at a 
voltage exceeding a prescribed voltage (1000 volts AC 
or 1500 volts DC if measured between any two conduct -
ors; or 600 volts AC or 900 volts DC if measured 
between a conductor and earth) must have a cut-off 
switch which is placed, coloured and marked to satisfy 
such reasonable requirements of the fi re and rescue 
authority to ensure that it is readily recognisable by and 
accessible to fi re fi ghters. Where this is not the case the 
fi re authority may issue a notice.
Health and safety and fi re safety prohibition 
notices
– this type of notice, whether for health and 
safety or fi re safety, is served when the enforcer is of 
the opinion that the activity or premises involved is so 
serious that the activity should be stopped or the use 
of the premises be prohibited or restricted. Examples of 
these would be operating a machine with no guard or 
chaining up a fi nal fi re exit door.
Powers of inspectors/enforcers
In order to carry out their duties inspectors/enforcers are 
given a variety of powers. These can be wide ranging; 
their key powers are listed below:
➤
Enter premises at any reasonable time taking with 
them a police offi cer (to maintain the peace) if 
required
➤
Request and inspect documentation and records 
and if required take a copy
➤
Require any person to provide assistance to take 
samples of any articles or substances
➤
To examine, conduct investigations and where 
appropriate require the premises or items to be left 
undisturbed
➤
Remove, render harmless or destroy articles or 
substances
➤
Issue verbal advice, written advice or serve notices.
Local Building Control enforcement offi cers have 
additional powers in respect of breaches of Building 
Regulations. These additional powers include the abil-
ity to refuse permission to build or make alterations to 
buildings and take action to render structures unsafe at 
the expense of the owner/occupier.
Appeals
As previously discussed, an appeal system exists to 
enable those being prosecuted and those who have 
been served with enforcement notices to take their case 
to appeal. Appeals can be made against any enforce-
ment notices by lodging an appeal with an employment 
tribunal. Table 1.4 details the consequences of appeal-
ing within 21 days against the notices served.