Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
April 2025
Aim of inspection
To undertake a regulatory compliance inspection against all duties imposed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, (Articles 8 to 22), or by regulations made under Article 24, to ensure that the licensee is compliant in respect of the premises.
Assurance that the Licensee’s arrangements associated with all applicable articles are suitable and adequate, and that the licensee is working to those arrangements.
Subject(s) of inspection
- Fire (Life Safety) Compliance Inspection - Rating: GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) undertakes regulatory interaction within the Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) site licensee, against a strategy defined by the ONR Operating Facilities Weapons subdivision. This life fire safety inspection aligns to the the suite of inspections carried out under this strategy and targeted the A45 premises to undertake a regulatory compliance inspection against all duties imposed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, (Articles 8 to 22), or by regulations made under Article 24, to ensure that the licensee is compliant in respect of the premises.
Overall, I am content the licensee demonstrated an adequate understanding of the duties required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) , and that arrangements for life fire safety were suitable and sufficient. In general the premises demonstrated areas of good practice, however some areas for improvement were identified and these observations were provided to AWE, and requested that the fire risk assessment is reviewed to take these comments into consideration.
No significant life fire safety shortfalls were identified. Therefore, I rate the inspection on the compliance against the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 as GREEN (no formal action).
Conclusion
Overall, I am content the licensee demonstrated an adequate understanding of the duties required under the RRO, and that arrangements for life fire safety were suitable and sufficient. In general good practice was demonstrated, with the premises self-identifying improvements through recent drills and good overall management.
Minor areas for improvement were identified and these observations were provided to AWE. It is expected that the majority these observations will be able to be addressed quickly. No significant life fire safety shortfalls were identified. Therefore, I rate the inspection on the compliance against the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 as GREEN (No formal action).
This rating is in line with the established ONR guidance as follows:
- Relevant good practice generally met, or minor shortfalls identified, when compared with appropriate benchmarks.
- Relatively minor, if any, deficiencies in compliance arrangements.