Independent Fire Safety Inspections

What is an independent fire safety inspection?   

An independent fire safety inspection is vital in ensuring a building’s infrastructure is fit for purpose in the event of a fire, complies with ever-evolving legislation and is regularly maintained. 

Our independent consultants provide impartial advice and devise action plans after a detailed assessment of a property’s fire detection and suppression systems – including compartmentation surveys – fire doors and dampers, emergency lighting and proper signage. 

Effective fire safety assessments and measures are an essential part of managing properties of all sizes and types, with the safety of those working, living or visiting there of paramount importance.  

With reforms continuing to shape industry standards, having comprehensive surveys, independent fire safety inspections and planned maintenance is vital in preventing the spread of fire and giving crucial time for safe evacuation. 

Independent fire safety inspection legislation  

Independent fire safety inspections serve a vital role in proactively identifying fire hazards and mitigating risk to protect lives and property from the devastating effects of fire.  

Building owners must adhere to the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Fire Safety Regulation 2022, which covers the property’s fire safety provisions.  

Significant enhancements under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, effective from 1 October 2023, introduced requirements including the need for full, written fire risk assessments – not just a summary – and clear documentation of fire safety arrangements. This forms part of the ‘golden thread’ of information for higher-risk buildings. 

From April 2025, fire risk assessors must be UKAS-accredited and certified, which followed the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower inquiry. Fire Consultancy Specialists is approved under the BM Trada Q-Mark scheme, a UKAS-accredited certification programme. 

In addition, we adhere to key fire safety guidance documents Approved Document B, BS 9999 and BS 9991, which provide guidance and include elements such as escape routes and emergency services access.   

What can you expect from working with Fire Consultancy Specialists?  

We have more than 30 years’ experience in delivering tailored fire protection solutions and independent fire safety inspections for property owners – we are committed to protecting people and buildings from preventable fire incidents.   

Our service goes above and beyond in ensuring fire safety measures are effectively implemented to extend a building’s lifespan – compliance with the regulations is not only a legal requirement but a vital duty of care. We are also keen to highlight good practice in our site visits – we don’t just look at the negatives. 

FCS specialists use a data-driven approach in all our independent fire safety inspections, providing detailed digital reports from our work with PlanRadar, the construction and real estate management software.  

We use 3D camera scanning to draw up detailed reports and create floor plans that can help firefighters to quickly navigate the site. We work closely with clients to ensure we are inspecting ongoing work at different times in our ‘right first time’ approach, saving them time and money.