NEARLY half of the assessed buildings across Dorset and Wiltshire have been ranked as unsatisfactory, following the latest fire safety checks.

A fire safety audit is an inspection of a building by inspectors, examining how safe the premises is, as well as checking its risk assessment, maintenance and training records.

And according to the latest figures from the Home Office, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service conducted 1,198 fire safety audits in its areas between April 2018 and March 2019, and 557 of these were unsatisfactory.

This is an increase on 2017/18 - when 1,230 sites were assessed and 351 were classed as unsatisfactory.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service typically audit premises following an incident or as part of a planned risk-based inspection programme.

The number of premises identified as unsatisfactory are statistically at a higher risk of fire starting, and the occupants are at a higher risk of being injured or killed as a result of a fire.

As well as the ratings, 116 informal notifications have been given, as well as two enforcement notices served under Article 30, nine prohibition notices served under Article 31, and one alteration notice served under Article 29.

Group manager Tim Gray, head of fire safety, said the latest figures highlight that the team's effort to target "higher risk premises" is "accurate", adding: "We plan to continue this risk-based approach to auditing premises in the future.

“From [our] areas, we establish whether a building is deemed satisfactory or, if unsatisfactory, what level of action to take. This can be from the provision of advice, agreement of improvements to the fire safety measures or, if deemed serious enough, we have a range of enforcement options open to us.

"Of course, we prefer to work with the premises owner to improve standards whilst supporting their business.”

Since the last inspection six premises have become satisfactory following enforcement action.

Across England in the year 2018/19, 49,327 fire safety audits were carried out by fire and rescue services, with 16,062 sites required to return to satisfactory status.