Enforcement
How is the Fire Safety Order enforced?
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service will enforce all matters relating to fire safety in accordance with the provisions of the statutory legislation for which it has enforcement responsibility.
A fire inspector has certain powers, for example a right of entry and a right to require the production of relevant documents. The details of the procedures to be adopted by inspectors when carrying out the enforcement policy can be viewed on request.
If the Fire and Rescue Service considers that any provision of the legislation has not been complied with we may take formal action, such as the issue of an alterations notice or an enforcement notice. We will on all occasions exercise due care and consideration in regard to the use of enforcement powers, and as far as is practicably possible, ensure matters are addressed through legislation having primacy in the circumstances.
If we are of the opinion that the risk to life is so serious, we may issue a Prohibition Notice to prohibit or restrict the use of a premise.
It is an offence not to comply with the requirements of the legislation. Depending on the nature of the offence, a guilty person may be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
However, the main aim of the Order is to encourage a risk assessed approach and to realise that there is often more than one way to achieve an acceptable level of safety in premises.