As an owner, manager or operator of a business, charity or other organisation, regulatory requirements can be daunting, confusing and difficult to put into context for your business.
To help you comply with fire safety law, we offer Primary Authority Partnerships to provide reliable and consistent regulatory support.
The main fire safety law for England and Wales is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Complying with regulation
Primary Authority is an alternative method for businesses to comply with regulation.
Businesses can range from large businesses operating across the country to very small locally based businesses with just a few employees. They include businesses as diverse as farm-based market traders, breweries, tyre fitters, betting shop operators and high street retailers.
The successful growth and development of Primary Authority now enables businesses of all shapes and sizes to benefit from proactive support from us to get advice from the outset rather than intervene should things go wrong.
Primary Authority Partnership
In a legally recognised Primary Authority Partnership we will:
- Work with you to develop a clear understanding of your business model and compliance needs for fire safety
- Liaise with other fire and rescue authorities on your behalf if you trade across fire service boundaries to act as a single point of contact for fire service colleagues
- Work with you to develop necessary and proportionate advice which is bespoke to your business needs. You can be confident that if the advice issued by your Primary Authority partner is followed it applies across the business and cannot be easily challenged by other fire authorities – giving you assurance and time to focus on your core business development.
- Support you in the development of policies and procedures to comply with your fire safety requirements
- Work with our partner regulators to offer the full range of regulatory support through a single portal.
The gov.uk website has information about the wider aspects of Primary Authority
We share knowledge, resources and expertise to provide the best support and advice for local businesses.
The Primary Authority scheme is the Government's preferred route to improving compliance by regulators and businesses working together to protect our communities and support business growth.
Cost recovery
The statutory Primary Authority scheme is operated on a cost-recovery basis enabling local regulators to recover only the costs incurred by the authority in delivery of the partnership.
The cost recovery rate (April 2025) is £105 per hour (VAT is not applicable to Primary Authority services as they are regulatory in nature and can only be delivered by Local Authorities)
Contact Us
If this is something that you would wish to explore further, please contact PrimaryAuthority@esfrs.org
Supporting Documentation
Related Legislation and further reading
All the legislation underpinning Primary Authority can be downloaded via the website of the Office of Public Sector Information.
The relevant documents are:
- Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008
- Co-ordination of Regulatory Enforcement (Enforcement Action) Order 2009
- Co-ordination of Regulatory Enforcement (Procedures for References to LBRO) Order 2009
- Co-ordination of Regulatory Enforcement (Regulatory Functions in Scotland and Northern Ireland) Order 2009
- Local Better Regulation Office (Dissolution and Transfer of Functions Etc) Order 2012
- Co-ordination of Regulatory Enforcement (Enforcement Action) (Amendment) Order 2013
- Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (Amendment of Schedule 3) Order 2013
- Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013
Businesses we are engaged with as the Primary Authority include:
Care homes - accommodation providers - retail and restaurants chains - waste and recycling sector - sport and leisure facilities - charities
Case Studies
Ambient Support is a registered UK charity providing care and support to elderly people, those with a mental health need and people with learning disabilities.
They have a wide range of services across the Midlands and South East of England including registered care homes, supported living and domiciliary care.
During the COVID19 pandemic ESFRS have provided Ambient with clear safety advice about hand sanitisers.
This included the safe storage of these products away from any ignition sources, ensuring they are stored in a suitable cool dry locked cupboard which is well ventilated, and to avoid storing them on the means of escape, with outside storage always being the best option.
ESFRS are working in partnership with Ambient to ensure that during the pandemic they can continue to facilitate safe visits between those being cared for and their loved ones.
This means that ESFRS have been able to provide Ambient with support and guidance around the type of structures that could be used in outside spaces, so that safe and controlled socially distanced visits can take place whatever the weather.
Tom Harrison Director of Operations at Ambient Support said:
“‘The COVID-19 crisis has truly highlighted the benefits to us of having an effective and professional relationship with a Fire and Safety partner.
The situation with guidance and protocols has been fast and evolving during the pandemic and ESFRS have supported us to stay alert to changes and ensure that we provide the very safest environments to those we support at all times.”
Ambient Support have a number of social media channels namely:
Robert Nicol Health and Safety Officer at The Gym Group said:
“Our partnership with East Sussex Fire & Rescue has proven to be invaluable since day one. They have assisted us in multiple areas, from overall fire strategy and policy, to liaising with other fire authorities on our behalf, and answering our fire related queries.
With East Sussex Fire & Rescue as our partners we know that we are receiving reliable regulatory advice that relates directly to our business. This helps us to ensure we are meeting our legal requirements and keeping our people and property safe.
Becky, Tom & Erin have always been available to give us expert advice, and guidance when we need it, and to top it off - they are great people too!”
Malcom Shevlin Head of Safety at TeamSport
“We entered into a Primary Authority partnership with East Sussex Fire and Rescue to give guidance and fire regulation and advise on how we can advance our fire safety processes and procedures.
It is important for TeamSport, who place both Fire Safety and Health & Safety as a business priority for both customers and staff, to be associated with a Fire Service who are driven towards Fire compliance whilst also understanding how our business operates.”