Alterations Notices
Enforcement Notices
Prohibition Notices
"Relevant notice" is any notice issued by any enforcing authority which is required by the Environment and Safety Information Act 1988 to be entered into the public register of notices. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 there are three relevant notices these are; an enforcement notice, an alterations notice and a prohibition notice.
An enforcement notice is a document which is sent to the responsible person from a fire authority stating that the enforcing authority (fire service) is of the opinion that the responsible person or any other person as is applicable has failed to comply with any provision of the Fire Safety Order 2005 or of any regulations made under it.
An alterations notice is a document which is sent to the responsible person from a fire authority stating that the enforcing authority (the fire and rescue service) is of the opinion that the premises constitute, or may constitute, a risk to relevant persons if a change is made to them or the use to which they are put. The notice must state that the enforcing authority is of the above opinion, and, specify the matters which constitute such a risk. Where a notice has been served the responsible person must notify the enforcing authority of any proposed changes.
If the enforcing authority is of the opinion that use of premises involves or will involve a risk to relevant persons so serious that use of the premises ought to be prohibited or restricted, the authority may serve on the responsible person or any other person mentioned in article 5(3) a notice (in this Order referred to as a 'prohibition notice').
A relevant person means any person (including the responsible person) who is or may be on the premises, and, any person in the immediate vicinity of the premises who is at risk from a fire on the premises.
In the workplace it would be the employer, if the workplace is to any extent under his/her control. In any other premises, then it would be the person who has control of the premises or the owner (as occupier or otherwise) where a trade, business or other undertaking (for profit or not) is carried on.
You have 2 options
Comply with Notice – If you fail to comply with the notice you will be in breach of the requirements of the notice and as such under Article 32 (1) (d) have committed an offence under the Fire Safety Order 2005.
Appeal the Notice - This must be done within 21 days from the day on which the notice is served, and made to the magistrates court. (the details of this are provided in the body of the notice).
If you appeal an enforcement or alterations notice it will suspend the notice until the appeal has been finally disposed of, or withdrawal of the appeal.
This will provide three possible outcomes:
A prohibition notice is different in that on an appeal the notice will remain in force unless the court directs the suspending of the notice. The court may cancel or affirm the notice with the same outcomes as for the enforcement and alterations notice above.
Essentially the fire and rescue authority will investigate the information regarding the apparent breaches of fire safety law to determine whether an offence or offences have been committed, if this proves to be the case then the service will gather information to enable a prosecution to be taken against the alleged offender.
Following the investigation into the apparent breaches of fire safety law where a decision has been taken to pursue a prosecution against the alleged offender, the fire and rescue authority will, within 5 to 10 days of that decision being made, write to the alleged offender informing him of that decision and that he will receive details in connection with this matter in due course.