Penalties, Appeals and Enforcement

You could be fined or go to prison if you don’t follow fire safety regulations.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority enforce the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and inspect premises to ensure compliance. We will carry out a wide range of inspections based on risk. We are committed to fair and firm regulation with an underlying principle of proportionality in securing compliance and targeting of enforcement action.

We can issue fire safety notices telling you about changes you need to make. If you wish to challenge there is an appeal process. Fire Safety Officers should help you understand the rules and how to comply with them.

Alterations Notice

You could get an alterations notice if your premises have high safety risks or will have high safety risks if the use of the premises changes.

Enforcement Notice

You could get an enforcement notice if we find a serious risk that’s not being managed. It will say what improvements are needed and by when.

Prohibition notice

These take effect immediately if we think the fire risk is so great that access to your premises needs to be prohibited or restricted.

Appeals

If you disagree with the decision to issue a fire safety notice, you can contact us for an informal review.

You can appeal to your local magistrates’ court within 21 days of receiving a notice.

In certain circumstances, you and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service can ask for a ‘determination’ from the Communities Secretary to resolve a dispute.

Penalties

You could be fined or go to prison if you don’t follow fire safety regulations.

Minor penalties can be up to £5,000. Major penalties can have unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison.

Public register of notices

South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority is required by the Environment and Safety Information Act 1988 to maintain a public register of notices. The Act requires authorities, to which this Act applies, to establish a public register of relevant notices served concerning health, safety, environmental protection and related issues.

SWFRA provide details of issued notices to a national register managed by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

This national register provides details of prosecutions, enforcement, prohibition and alterations notices issued on businesses by the Fire and Rescue Authorities in England and Wales.

Access to the NFCC register can be found here.