How to use this resource
A practical operating reference for accountable teams.
Use to structure operational evidence collection and action tracking. A competent person must determine the assessment scope, adequacy of controls, legal conclusions, and review requirements where applicable.
Designed for
- Property and compliance managers
- Staff collecting premises evidence
- Responsible persons and competent fire-risk assessors
Premises, people, and management context
Set the context before reviewing visible controls.
- Premises use, layout, occupancy, property type, common areas, working hours, sleeping risk, and previous assessment
- Responsible person, assessor, evacuation strategy, vulnerable persons, assistance needs, and resident communication
- Previous fire events, false alarms, enforcement, open actions, building work, and material changes
Ignition, fuel, and oxygen sources
Record visible sources and how they are controlled.
- Cooking, heating, fixed and portable electrics, smoking, hot work, arson, machinery, candles, and unsafe extension use
- Battery, e-bike, mobility-device, and other charging arrangements
- Waste, storage, furnishings, decorations, gas cylinders, chemicals, laundry, and combustible materials
- Housekeeping, separation, security, contractor controls, and immediate safeguards
Detection, warning, and escape
Document what is visible and tested without assuming system adequacy.
- Alarm type, position, interconnection, panel state, test result, date, audibility, and accessible warning provision
- Escape routes, alternative routes, travel obstructions, final exits, door operation, locks, signage, emergency lighting, and evacuation assistance
- HMO protected routes, bedroom doors, kitchen separation, and alarm coverage where applicable
- Communal smoke control, risers, information boxes, firefighting lifts or shafts, and resident instructions where applicable
Fire doors, compartmentation indicators, and equipment
Capture visible condition and refer uncertainty to competent review.
- Door leaf, frame, closer, seals, glazing, gaps, damage, obstruction, hold-open arrangement, and certification reference
- Visible penetrations, service risers, loft hatches, ducts, damaged enclosures, and suspected missing fire stopping
- Extinguishers, blankets, hose reels, dry or wet risers, suppression, signage, accessibility, and service status as applicable
- Do not certify fire resistance, compartmentation, alarm design, or equipment adequacy from imagery alone
Actions, risk, and review schedule
Every accepted finding needs an accountable response.
- Record hazard, room or asset, evidence, affected people, likelihood, severity, existing control, and uncertainty
- Identify immediate safeguard, remedial, professional assessment, owner, target date, residual risk, and letting or access restriction
- Schedule tests, resident prompts, housekeeping checks, equipment service, action review, and reassessment according to reviewed policy
- Trigger reassessment after fire, significant work, change of use or occupancy, vulnerable-person change, or material alteration