In the UK, fire safety is not a “check-the-box” exercise. Following the full implementation of the Building Safety Act and the latest amendments to the Fire Safety Order, enforcement agencies have been granted unprecedented powers. For the “Responsible Person,” the stakes have shifted from simple administrative oversight to potential criminal liability.
Understanding the current personal liability for fire safety responsible persons under UK law is essential for any director, landlord, or business owner who wants to protect their enterprise and their freedom.
Unlimited fines are a possibility
One of the most significant shifts we are seeing in 2026 is the removal of “caps” on financial penalties. While minor infractions might still result in informal warnings, the courts are increasingly handing out unlimited fines for fire safety breaches in the UK in 2026. These “limitless” fines are typically triggered by:
- Failure to record a “suitable and sufficient” fire risk assessment.
- Impersonating or obstructing a fire inspector.
- Failing to comply with a previously issued enforcement notice.
When the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) identifies a risk, they no longer just offer advice. In the last year alone, formal fire safety enforcement notices for commercial properties have increased by over 5%, with inspectors focusing heavily on high-traffic sectors like retail, hospitality, and care homes.
What an enforcement action looks like
If your premises is audited and found wanting, the FRS has a hierarchy of tools at its disposal:
- Alteration notices: Issued if a building’s change of use (e.g., converting an office to a dark kitchen) increases fire risk.
- Enforcement notices: These mandate specific remedial actions within a set timeframe. Failure to comply here is a “red line” that often leads to prosecution.
- Prohibition notices: If an inspector deems the risk to life too high, they can shut your business down immediately until the issues are fixed.
The most sobering trend in 2026 is the rise in personal liability for fire safety responsible persons under UK law. It is a common misconception that “the company” will absorb the blow of a prosecution. Under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act, if a breach is committed with the “consent, connivance, or neglect” of a director or manager, that individual can be personally prosecuted.
Recent case law has seen suspended prison sentences and heavy personal fines handed to business owners who failed to act on “significant findings” in their fire risk assessments.
How SECOM mitigates your risk
The best defence against an enforcement notice is a proactive, documented safety culture. By partnering with SECOM, you aren’t just buying hardware; you are buying a “compliance shield.”
We help you navigate these trends by:
- Providing BAFE-certified risk assessments that meet the 2026 “competency” bar.
- Managing digital record-keeping that satisfies the “Golden Thread” requirements.
- Regularly servicing systems to ensure that when an inspector walks through your door, your fire safety enforcement notices remain at zero.
Don’t wait for a “Notice of Intent to Prosecute” to take fire safety seriously. In 2026, the only way to avoid the high cost of non-compliance is to get it right the first time. Get in touch with our knowledgeable and experienced fire teams to get you safe and compliant.