If you own or manage a business, rental property, or public building in Surrey — whether it’s a shop in Guildford, an office in Woking, or a café in Farnham — chances are you’ll eventually get a visit from Surrey Fire & Rescue Service.
These visits are called fire safety audits, and they’re how the fire authority checks that you’re complying with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — the main fire safety law in England and Wales.
Now, don’t panic. A fire safety audit isn’t something to fear.
It’s not about “catching you out” — it’s about making sure you’re keeping people safe.
But there are things you can do to make the process smoother — and to make sure your business walks away with a clean bill of health.
Here’s what to expect, how to prepare, and how to avoid common mistakes when Surrey Fire & Rescue come knocking.
Why Fire Safety Audits Happen
Surrey Fire & Rescue carries out thousands of audits every year across the county.
They prioritise:
• Buildings where lots of people work or visit (offices, shops, hotels, schools, restaurants)
• Premises with sleeping accommodation (HMOs, care homes, hostels)
• Buildings where they’ve received a complaint or report of unsafe conditions
• Properties recently affected by fire or enforcement action
Sometimes, audits are random — sometimes they’re risk-based. But in every case, they have the same goal: to make sure your premises, people, and procedures meet the law.
You can read their full approach on the Surrey Fire & Rescue Business Safety page.
What the Fire Safety Order Requires
Under the Fire Safety Order 2005, the Responsible Person (that’s you, if you control the premises) must:
✅ Carry out a Fire Risk Assessment that’s “suitable and sufficient”.
✅ Implement measures to reduce or remove fire risks.
✅ Maintain fire detection, alarm, and lighting systems.
✅ Keep escape routes clear, accessible, and properly signed.
✅ Train staff and record all maintenance and checks.
A fire safety audit is essentially Surrey Fire & Rescue checking that you’re doing all of that — and that you can prove it.
What Happens During a Fire Safety Audit
When a fire safety officer visits, they’ll usually:
1️⃣ Introduce themselves and explain the purpose of the visit.
They’ll show ID and tell you what they’ll be inspecting.
2️⃣ Ask to see your Fire Risk Assessment.
They’ll review it to make sure it’s up to date, detailed, and completed by a competent person.
3️⃣ Inspect your fire safety measures.
That includes:
- Fire alarms and detection systems
- Emergency lighting
- Fire doors and escape routes
- Fire extinguishers and maintenance records
- Signage and evacuation plans
4️⃣ Check your documentation.
This includes training records, maintenance logs, alarm test results, and any recent updates to your Fire Risk Assessment.
5️⃣ Ask a few practical questions.
They might talk to staff about evacuation procedures, or test how easily people can access exits.
6️⃣ Provide feedback.
If they find minor issues, they’ll usually give verbal advice. For more serious issues, you may receive a formal notice.
What They’ll Expect to See
A tidy premises, working fire systems, and good paperwork go a long way.
Here’s a quick checklist of what to have ready before your inspection:
Documents:
- Current Fire Risk Assessment (reviewed in the last 12 months)
- Maintenance certificates for alarms, extinguishers, lighting, and doors
- Fire drill records and staff training logs
- Testing and maintenance logbook (showing regular checks)
- Evacuation plan and fire safety policy
On-site safety checks:
- Fire doors close properly and aren’t wedged open
- Escape routes are clear and unlocked
- Emergency lighting and alarms are working
- Signage is visible and consistent (in line with BS 5499 and BS 5266)
- Extinguishers are mounted, labelled, and accessible
If you can demonstrate these basics, you’ll be off to a great start.
The Possible Outcomes
After your audit, Surrey Fire & Rescue will decide what (if anything) needs to happen next.
There are four main outcomes:
1️⃣ Satisfactory:
Everything’s in order — no further action required.
2️⃣ Notification of Minor Deficiencies:
Small issues noted — fix them promptly and record your actions.
3️⃣ Enforcement Notice:
Serious non-compliance — you’ll be given a written notice and a deadline to put things right.
4️⃣ Prohibition Notice:
Major danger to life — you may be prohibited from using the premises (or parts of it) until issues are resolved.
In extreme cases, failure to act can lead to prosecution with fines or imprisonment.
You can read examples of enforcement across the UK here: GOV.UK – Fire Safety Enforcement Notices and Prosecutions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here’s what tends to trip up Surrey businesses during fire safety audits:
🚫 Outdated or missing Fire Risk Assessments.
🚫 Fire doors not maintained, damaged, or propped open.
🚫 Poor record-keeping — no maintenance logs or unclear responsibilities.
🚫 Blocked escape routes (especially in storerooms or kitchens).
🚫 Inconsistent or missing signage.
🚫 Untrained or unaware staff.
None of these are hard to fix — but they do need attention before an inspector finds them.
How to Get Ready for an Audit
1️⃣ Check your paperwork.
Is your Fire Risk Assessment current and complete? Are all tests logged?
2️⃣ Walk the building.
Look at it through the eyes of a fire officer. Are exits clear? Is lighting working?
3️⃣ Test your systems.
Press the fire alarm, check the emergency lights, and make sure extinguishers are in date.
4️⃣ Talk to your staff.
Everyone should know where to go, how to raise the alarm, and who the fire warden is.
5️⃣ Fix obvious hazards immediately.
Don’t leave that pile of boxes by the exit or ignore that faulty door closer.
A bit of preparation now can save you stress (and embarrassment) later.
Staying Compliant Year-Round
A fire safety audit shouldn’t be something you dread — if you’re maintaining your premises properly, it’ll simply confirm what you already know: that you’re compliant.
Keep your fire safety logbook up to date. Schedule regular reviews of your Fire Risk Assessment. And use qualified professionals to maintain your systems.
If you’re ever unsure what’s required, you can always ask for advice. Surrey Fire & Rescue prefer education over enforcement, and they’ll happily point you in the right direction before issues escalate.
Local Help from Fire Risk Assessment Surrey
At Fire Risk Assessment Surrey, we work with business owners, landlords, and property managers across Guildford, Woking, Camberley, Farnham, and Epsom to make sure they’re fully prepared for inspections and compliant with the law.
We carry out detailed Fire Risk Assessments, review your documentation, and even help you build logbooks and evacuation plans — so when the fire officer visits, you’re ready.
If you’ve had a notice from Surrey Fire & Rescue or just want peace of mind before your next audit, we’re here to help.
Book your Fire Risk Assessment in Surrey and stay one step ahead of the inspectors.
