What fire safety records will an inspector or insurer ask to see?
By Joe Cooper · · 4 min read
When a fire and rescue authority inspects, or an insurer or landlord asks what you do about fire safety, the question is usually simple: can you show me? Here is what they tend to ask for and how to keep it ready.
Your fire risk assessment
This is the starting point. In England, GOV.UK says you must keep a written record of your fire risk assessment. It should name the premises and the person responsible, list the hazards and people at risk, show what you decided to do, and give the date and next review date.
Evidence that you check regularly
Dated weekly checks of the alarm, fire doors, escape routes, extinguishers and emergency lighting show that fire safety is part of your routine, not a one-off. Notes of faults, who was told and when they were fixed matter as much as the checks themselves.
Servicing and certificates
- Fire alarm service reports, commonly every six months.
- Emergency lighting test records, including the annual full-duration test.
- Extinguisher service certificates, usually yearly.
- Gas safety and electrical inspection certificates where they apply to your premises.
Training and drills
Records of who was trained and when, and the results of your fire drills: date, time taken to reach the assembly point, number of people out against expected, and what you changed afterwards. GOV.UK says to run at least one drill a year and record the results.
How to keep them ready
- Keep everything in one place that you can find quickly, on paper or digitally.
- Make sure each record has a date and a name.
- Keep a list of equipment with service due dates so nothing lapses.
- Check your insurance policy, because it may ask for particular records.
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General information based on GOV.UK guidance and common practice. It is not legal advice or a fire risk assessment. Your own fire risk assessment sets what applies to your premises. Sources: GOV.UK, Fire safety in the workplace.