In the United Kingdom a fire safety inspector (also known as fire officer, fire safety inspecting officer or fire safety officer) is a public law enforcement officer responsible for the enforcement fire safety legislation in the United Kingdom.
As public law enforcement officers, fire inspectors are duty bound, by law, to enforce fire safety legislation in the name of the Chief Fire Officer and the Chair of the Fire Rescue Authority of the Fire & Rescue Authority they are employed by, for the protection of members of the general public.
In turn the Chief Fire Officer discharges power of authority by order of a Secretary of State (In England and Wales) or their equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Fire inspectors, like any other major enforcing officers from other enforcing authorities, have the same powers of authority of that of a police constable except that they cannot arrest persons. They can not, except in the event of fire or emergency, make forceable entry, unless first obtaining a warrant.
There are three distinct sets of legislation covering all four countries within the United Kingdom. They are: