If you are responsible for a business, residential building, or public premises in Berkshire, it is important to understand who enforces fire safety locally and where those teams are based.
Fire safety enforcement across the county is carried out by the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS).
Their Fire Safety (Protection) teams are responsible for auditing premises, investigating complaints, and enforcing the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
Unlike emergency response crews, fire safety officers operate through a hub-based system, with central coordination and local coverage across Berkshire.
Central Fire Safety Management – Newsham Court, Calcot
Fire safety matters in Berkshire are centrally managed from RBFRS headquarters at:
Newsham Court
Pincents Kiln, Calcot, Berkshire, RG31 7SD
This is where:
- County-wide fire safety strategy is managed
- Fire safety complaints are processed
- Enforcement decisions are coordinated
- Specialist and higher-risk cases are overseen
Officers based here also cover Reading and West Berkshire, making this location a key point of contact for many businesses.
RBFRS offices are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Out-of-hours contact can be made via headquarters reception on 0118 945 2888, with answerphone services available at each fire safety office.
How Fire Safety Complaints Are Handled
When a fire safety complaint is made, the RBFRS team records the details on an official complaint form. This information is then assessed to determine whether an audit or inspection is required.
RBFRS makes the Fire Safety Complaint Form available to download, helping duty holders and members of the public understand how complaints are assessed and investigated.
Complaints often trigger inspections, particularly where there is concern about:
- Blocked escape routes
- Lack of fire alarms or emergency lighting
- Poor fire door maintenance
- Absence of a Fire Risk Assessment
East Berkshire Fire Safety Hub
Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead
Fire safety enforcement for Slough, Windsor, and Maidenhead is managed through the East hub, based at:
Maidenhead Fire Station
Bridge Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 8PG
This hub covers a wide range of premises including:
- Retail and hospitality businesses
- Offices and mixed-use developments
- Residential buildings and HMOs
- Public buildings and council-owned properties
Central Berkshire Fire Safety Hub
Wokingham and Bracknell
Fire safety officers covering Wokingham and Bracknell operate from:
Wokingham Fire Station
11–13 Easthampstead Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 2EH
This area includes:
- Business parks and offices
- Industrial units
- Schools and care settings
- Town centre retail and hospitality premises
Regular audits are carried out here, particularly where buildings are open to the public.
West Berkshire Fire Safety Hub
Reading and West Berkshire
Fire safety enforcement for Reading and West Berkshire is coordinated directly from RBFRS headquarters:
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters
Newsham Court, Pincents Kiln, Calcot, Berkshire, RG31 7SD
Given the mix of high-rise residential buildings, commercial developments, and major construction projects, this hub plays a significant role in fire safety enforcement across the county.
How Fire Safety Officers Operate Across Berkshire
Although fire safety offices are hub-based, officers work county-wide. This means:
- Inspections may be carried out by officers from outside your immediate town
- Enforcement decisions are coordinated centrally
- Higher-risk premises receive increased scrutiny regardless of location
For duty holders, the key message is simple: fire safety expectations are the same across Berkshire, regardless of which hub covers your area.
Why This Matters for Businesses and Duty Holders
Many enforcement cases arise because businesses:
- Do not realise they are non-compliant
- Assume fire safety is someone else’s responsibility
- Have outdated or missing Fire Risk Assessments
Knowing how RBFRS fire safety teams are structured — and where they are based — helps duty holders take control before an inspection or complaint leads to enforcement action.
Get Support Before the Fire Service Enforces
Fire safety officers enforce the law — they do not manage compliance for you.
ESI: Fire Safety helps businesses across Berkshire, Surrey, and Hampshire prepare for inspections and stay compliant by providing:
- Professional Fire Risk Assessments
- Pre-audit compliance reviews
- Support following fire safety complaints or inspections
- Clear, prioritised action plans
- Ongoing fire safety management support
Take Control of Fire Safety Compliance in Berkshire
If your premises fall under the enforcement of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the best time to act is before a fire safety officer visits your site.
Contact ESI: Fire Safety today to discuss a Fire Risk Assessment or fire safety compliance support — and ensure your building is compliant, prepared, and defensible.