Sertus analysis highlights trends in fire safety inspections and compliance

by Featured NewsSafety

Inspections data shows rising unsatisfactory fire safety audit outcomes

Nearly half of all fire safety inspections in the UK were assessed as unsatisfactory in 2024/25, according to government statistics analysed by Sertus.

Figures published on GOV.UK and examined by Sertus show that 42% of the 51,026 fire safety audits conducted during the year were found to be unsatisfactory, with 21,312 audits identifying fire safety concerns.

Formal notices issued to premises owners also increased, reaching 2,990 in 2024/25 compared with 2,044 in 2016/17.

Unsatisfactory audit findings have risen steadily over eight years, increasing from 17,320 in 2016/17 to 21,312 in 2024/25, representing a 23% rise.

The number of formal enforcement notices issued during the same period increased by 46%.

The dataset also shows that only around 2% of the more than 2.5 million premises requiring regular audits receive inspections each year.

Premises requiring audits are expected to be assessed by a competent person approximately every three years.

Sertus links inspection trends to regulatory changes and scrutiny

Sertus attributed the increase in unsatisfactory inspections to regulatory reforms introduced following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Richard White, Commercial Director at Sertus, said: “While the statistics may be alarming on the face of it, I’d argue that the increase is likely happening because of the implementation of the Building Safety Regulator and new legislation.

“There is a proper process in place now, and there wasn’t before.

“More people are beginning to understand what good looks like when it comes to fire safety and are picking up the pieces from sloppy auditing in the past.”

White added: “The spotlight has been firmly placed on high-risk buildings due to the failings that led to the Grenfell tragedy.

“The failings stem from a de-regulated building culture that stems back many years, meaning that we have been through decades of design and build which has largely happened without 3rd party inspection.

“There’s been a change in recent years to more rigorous focus on the design stage, before building commences, so we’d expect future projects to adhere to fire safety standards far better than those constructed in years gone by.”

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced stricter regulatory requirements for higher risk buildings, while the Fire Safety Act 2021 clarified that responsible persons must manage and reduce fire risks relating to building structures, external walls and common areas.

These legislative changes expanded audit scope, strengthened enforcement powers and increased documentation and information sharing requirements, contributing to broader inspection coverage and enforcement activity.

A 14 year low in compliance emerges from home office fire audit results

by Featured NewsResearchSafety

Home office fire statistics show compliance at 57% and first visit failures at 43%

Fire safety compliance in England has fallen to 57%, with 43% of buildings failing checks on the first visit over the past year.

Direct365 said it analysed the latest Home Office Fire Statistics in England.

The analysis described national compliance as a 14 year low, down from a 69% satisfactory rate in 2016/17.

Direct365 also stated that, at the current rate of inspection, it would take the Fire Service 48 years to audit every business in the UK.

Regions with the highest audit failure and pass rates

The highest audit failure rates listed were Humberside at 92%, Lancashire at 88%, then Northumberland, Buckinghamshire, and Devon and Somerset at 72%.

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service recorded 942 audits in 2024/25, with 92% resulting in a failure.

Cheshire had the highest pass rate listed at 92%, followed by Staffordshire at 90%, Hertfordshire at 89%, Cambridgeshire at 88% and Leicestershire at 85%.

Direct365 said 70% of regions with the top 10 pass rates were located in the South of England.

Most common breaches recorded in audits

The top reasons for audit failures listed were emergency routes and exits with 10,323 recorded breaches, maintenance with 8,666, and risk assessment with 8,471.

The analysis said Fire and Rescue Services are conducting 4,000 fewer audits than in 2016 and uncovered 4,000 more breaches in 2024/25.

Direct365 said breaches relating to emergency routes and exits included blocked exits, locked fire exit doors, broken emergency lighting and wedged open fire doors.

Karl Bantleman commented: “The data reveals a worrying decline in the safety standards of buildings across the country.

“It is apparent that Fire and Rescue Services are stretched to their limit and at the current rate of inspection, it would take 48 years to audit all current premises.

“Despite this, standards are continuing to slide, with national compliance hitting a 14 year low in the past 12 months.”

“Of course, the safety standard of buildings varies depending on where in the country you are located.

“However, with an average pass rate of just 57%, improvements are needed urgently across the board.

“To help protect premises and ensure fire safety audits are satisfactory, business owners must keep all emergency exits clear, ensure fire doors are never wedged open, and, most importantly, ensure Fire Risk Assessments are reviewed annually.”

The figures set out a national compliance rate of 57% alongside wide regional variation in audit outcomes.