England audit data shows persistent fire safety compliance gaps
Iain Hoey
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Fire safety audit findings across England
Almost half of audited purpose-built blocks of flats were rated unsatisfactory in fire safety checks across England, with 45% requiring remedial action to meet regulations.
The figures were analysed by Drax Technology using data released by Fire and Rescue Services for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
A total of 4,257 buildings over four storeys were audited, with 1,923 failing to meet required standards.
There are around 120,000 buildings of this size across England.
Audits assess records, fire safety equipment and management practices to identify compliance issues.
Each audit is graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
The Responsible Person is required to maintain the validity of the audit, particularly following changes such as structural alterations.
Enforcement action and audit ratings
The proportion of unsatisfactory results fell slightly from 49% in the previous year.
Fire and Rescue Services issued 445 enforcement notices requiring building managers to address identified deficiencies within a set timeframe.
Twenty buildings were served with Prohibition Notices, where serious and imminent risks to life meant all or part of the premises could not be used.
Six cases led to prosecution after failures to complete required remedial actions.
Less serious breaches were addressed through informal notifications.
The data also showed that 34% of high-rise buildings of 10 storeys or more received an unsatisfactory audit.
Drax Technology comments on compliance records
David Simpson, Group Product Director at Drax Technology, said: “Blocked escape routes, failing emergency lighting, and faulty alarms are too often pushed down maintenance lists until a fire exposes the devastating consequences.
“Under the Building Safety Act, compliance can no longer be assumed, it must be proven.
“Building managers across BTR, the PRS and social housing, now need clear evidence of what was inspected, when, and by whom.
“Gaps in record-keeping represent a serious operational, financial, and regulatory risk.”
Simpson said the analysis highlighted both non-compliance and limited visibility over whether fire safety standards were consistently being met.
“There is no room for uncertainty when it comes to resident safety,” Simpson said.
“Digital platforms can give property teams constant oversight of fire safety systems, allowing issues to be identified and resolved before inspections, or worse, before an emergency.”
He added that 34% of high-rise buildings of 10 storeys or more receiving an unsatisfactory audit reflected the added complexity of these buildings.
“High-rise buildings pose greater risks because fire fighter access is more complex, so robust and consistent fire safety measures are critical,” he said.
“The industry must step up and do better.”
The data set used for the analysis was FIRE1202.