Fire Safety Audits & DOSHS Compliance

Kenya's Occupational Safety and Health Act 2007 (OSHA 2007) and the Fire Risk Reduction Rules 2007 place clear, enforceable obligations on employers, building owners, and facility managers. Non-compliance can result in enforcement notices, prohibition orders (forcing your premises to close), heavy fines, and — in the event of a fire incident — potential criminal prosecution. A professional fire safety audit carried out by a competent fire safety practitioner is the most reliable way to understand your current compliance status, identify gaps, and establish a clear action plan before a DOSHS inspector arrives. Lance Security provides independent fire safety audits and practical compliance support for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings across Kenya.

What a Fire Safety Audit Covers

A comprehensive fire safety audit evaluates every element of your building's fire safety provision against applicable Kenyan legislation, the Kenya Building Code, and relevant standards (BS 9999, NFPA 101). Our audit covers:

Structural Fire Safety

• Fire compartmentation — are fire walls, floors, and doors intact? Are service penetrations (pipes, cables, ducts) fire-stopped to prevent fire and smoke spreading between compartments?
• Fire resistance of structural elements — columns, beams, floor slabs, and load-bearing walls
• Roof construction materials and fire spread risk

Means of Escape

• Number and width of escape routes relative to building occupancy
• Travel distances to the nearest final exit
• Escape route obstructions, locked doors, and dead-ends
• Fire exit door hardware — panic bars, push-bar mechanisms, and self-closing devices
• Assembly points — are they identified, adequate in size, and clear of re-entry into the building?

Fire Detection & Warning Systems

• Is a fire alarm system installed and appropriate for the building category and occupancy?
• Is the system tested regularly and are records maintained?
• Are manual call points and detectors unobstructed and correctly positioned?
• Are sounders audible throughout the building, including toilets, plant rooms, and stairwells?

Fire-Fighting Equipment

• Fire extinguishers — correct types, adequate quantities, correctly placed and mounted, within service date
• Hose reels and fire hydrants — installed, charged, and accessible
• Sprinkler and suppression systems — operational and within maintenance schedule

Emergency Lighting & Signage

• Emergency lighting along all escape routes and at exits — functional and within test schedule
• Fire exit signs — illuminated, correctly positioned, and unobstructed
• Fire action notices at all fire alarm call points

Management Procedures

• Written fire safety policy and emergency evacuation plan
• Appointed fire wardens and evidence of their training
• Evacuation drill records
• Fire safety maintenance and testing log book
• Hot-work permit procedures
• Housekeeping standards — storage of combustible materials, waste management

DOSHS Inspection Readiness

The Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) conducts routine and complaint-driven inspections of workplaces across Kenya. An inspector who finds deficiencies can issue an Improvement Notice requiring remediation within a specified timeframe, or a Prohibition Notice that immediately closes part or all of the premises until hazards are corrected. Our pre-inspection audit identifies likely findings before the inspector arrives, giving you the opportunity to rectify deficiencies proactively.

Fire Safety Certificate (County Fire Department)

New buildings and buildings changing use require a fire safety certificate from the County Fire Department before occupation. Renewals are required periodically. Lance Security prepares the documentation package for the certificate application and liaises with county fire officers throughout the inspection and approval process, including attending joint inspections where required.

Our Audit Report

Following the site inspection, we deliver a written audit report that includes:

• Findings categorised by risk level (Critical / Major / Minor / Advisory)
• Photographic evidence of each finding
• Reference to the specific legislation or standard that the finding violates or requires
• A prioritised action plan with recommended remediation for each finding
• A compliance summary table suitable for presenting to building owners, insurers, and regulators

We also offer follow-up verification visits to confirm that corrective actions have been implemented and to issue a compliance confirmation letter — a document your insurer and county fire department may request. Book a fire safety audit and take control of your DOSHS compliance before the inspector does it for you.