A Beginner’s Guide to Fire Registers

Not to be confused with registers of building occupants at the time of a fire, a fire register provides a comprehensive resource outlining the fire measures of premises and records of testing and maintenance.

This guide shall introduce fire registers and why they are important, including contents and associated legislation.

What is a Fire Register?

Otherwise known as a fire logbook or record, a fire register specifies fire safety measures in place at a building or premises.

A fire register complements the fire risk assessment, which must be recorded and reviewed regularly. As it outlines all passive and active fire prevention and protection methods alongside up-to-date records of testing and maintenance, a fire register acts a resource, as well as a documented home, for fire risk assessments.

Having a complete fire register not only shows commitment to good fire practice, but also compliance with government guidance and British Standards.

Who is Responsible for the Fire Register?

The ‘Responsible Person’, identified in the Fire Safety Order (see legislation section), is responsible for fire safety of premises. For a business or non-domestic premise this can include an employer, owner, landlord, occupier, or those with control of the premises such as a facilities manager, building manager or fire assessor.

The duties of the Responsible Person include carrying out risk assessments and regularly reviewing them; telling staff about identified risks; putting in place and maintaining fire safety measures; planning for emergencies; and providing staff with information, fire safety instruction and training. Therefore, the Responsible Person is the primary contributor to the fire register, and in charge of keeping it updated.

Find out about the Fire Safety Order responsibilities as demonstrated by the UK government.

Fire Register Legislation

A detailed fire risk assessment is mandatory to carry out in commercial premises by the Responsible Person, or trained professional, and must be recorded if there are five or more employees or the business has a licence under enactment in force.

The fire register is where records of fire risk assessments, along with all the fire prevention methods and active/passive protection measures, will be kept.

This guidance is promoted by the government as part of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, more commonly known as the Fire Safety Order. See information, provided by the government, on enforcement, appeals and penalties of workplace fire safety here.

What Does a Fire Register Include?

A fire register or logbook may have varying contents depending on the type and size of premises; however, it will likely include the following as a minimum:

  • Details of the Responsible Person and associated assistants.
  • Records of previous fire risk assessments including dates and subsequent action.
  • Information on staff training including record of fire drills.
  • Details of escape route inspection and any deficiencies found.
  • Details of manual firefighting equipment including location, record of inspections and any remedial action taken.
  • Information about fire alarm maintenance including testing advice and record of tests.
  • Details of existing emergency lighting and associated inspections/tests/improvements.
  • Record of active fire protection systems and testing e.g. sprinkler systems testing instructions and record.
  • Log of unwanted fire alarm signals i.e. false alarms that resulted in mobilisation of emergency services.
  • Miscellaneous provision: details of active and passive fire protection installations including guidance from service provider.
  • General advice on good fire practice.

Fire register contents will vary across premises, but common inclusions are as listed. Details of active and passive fire protection measures are vital, as well as guidance on testing procedure and frequency.

See more: Passive Fire Protection – Everything You Need to Know About Passive Fire Protection.

Fire Protection Documentation

To ensure a fire register contains correct and comprehensive details about fire prevention and protection methods, details of projects must be recorded.

CPFP, accredited installers of passive fire protection measures, understand the importance of project documentation and facilitate the process. Using software systems specially designed to record project details, CPFP installers provide full descriptions of works for the fire register.

Project details provided include:

  • Location of works
  • Fire- and Db- rating
  • Products and materials used
  • Dimensions and types of penetrations (complete with before and after photos)
  • Marked fire-strategy floor plan

Find out more about CPFP’s documentation management >

As accredited installers of passive fire protection measures, CPFP maintain quality and compliance as pillars of the live saving installations. To gain third-party accreditation in passive fire protection with IFCC, all CPFP installers are vigorously tested with site inspections and review of administrative processes when onsite.

CPFP’s accreditations >

The assessment, and passing, of administrative onsite processes is testament to the clear and useful documentation provided by CPFP, compliant for inclusion in fire registers.

Learn More with CPFP

For expert installations of passive fire protection or a deeper understanding of legislation surrounding fire protection in premises, get in touch with CPFP. We pride ourselves on delivering quality installations that protect people and assets with excellence across domestic, commercial and industrial projects. Our team ensure installations are correctly installed, certified and recorded in line with legislation.

CPFP Services >

About CPFP >

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Address: The Old Angel, Flax Bourton, Bristol, BS48 3QQ
Phone: 0117 450 9943
Email: info@cpfp.co.uk