Introduction
As part of our work to keep Cornwall safe, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS):
- visits,
- inspects
- audits fire safety measures in non-domestic premises.
If we discover circumstances that could make premises unsafe, we can take action. This includes issuing legal notices, which require the responsible person to take action. This is usually within a specified time, to ensure the premises are safe.
As an authority responsible for enforcing the The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, CFRS is required by law:
- the Environment and Safety Information Act 1988
- to maintain a public register which gives some information about these notices.
Notices included on the register are:
- Alterations notices
- Enforcement notices
- Prohibition notices
On behalf of all fire authorities, the National Fire Chiefs Council publish the required information on the National Enforcement Register. This provides a single point of contact to view notices served, either on an authority by authority basis, or nationally.
How the public register works
The register contains details of notices in calendar years. Each entry on the register provides enough detail of the notice, as required by the Environment and Safety Information Act 1988. CFRS is unlikely to provide full copies of notices, as they are generally exempt information under
- Section 30(1)(b)
- Section 31(1)(a)
- (b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
For further details of this Act visit the Government website.
Information retention
Entries will be held on our register for a period of five years, Notices served on individuals under the age of 18 will be removed sooner. If you are served a notice you have 21 days to lodge an appeal against an entry which they think may reveal an industrial secret.
Cornwall's public risk register is managed by the Protection Department of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service. If you experience problems with our online register please email protection@fire.cornwall.gov.uk with your request.
National enforcement register
Definitions of the notices
Prohibition/Restriction
Where the Inspecting Officer is of the opinion that:
- the risk to persons in case of fire, is so serious it will be necessary for the Fire and Rescue Service to prohibit or restrict the use of parts of the premises.
Alterations
Where the Inspecting Officer is of the opinion that:
- any structural alterations being made to the premises will constitute a serious risk to relevant persons (whether due to the features of the premises,
- their use,
- any hazard present
- or any other circumstances)
Enforcement
Where the Inspecting Officer is of the opinion that:
- the responsible person, being under the obligation to do so, has failed to comply with any provision of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order within the time allocated to them.
