Reference · UK compliance

UK compliance and inspection frequency guide.

How often each recurring compliance check is typically required across UK care homes, schools, fleets, food businesses and general workplaces, with the regulator named. Many frequencies are risk-assessed rather than fixed by law, so treat this as a starting point and confirm each item against current guidance.

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Typical frequencies, not fixed legal minimums

Most recurring UK compliance checks are governed by a duty to keep something safe, not by a single legal number. The regulator sets the outcome and expects a documented risk assessment to set the interval. Where a fixed period does exist in law, such as the six-monthly thorough examination of a hoist under LOLER or the annual MOT, we state it plainly. Everywhere else we say typical or commonly, name the body that requires the record, and note that your own risk assessment and current guidance decide the real interval. If in doubt, check the regulator's live guidance before you set a schedule.

Sector 1 · Care homes

Care homes (CQC England, Care Inspectorate Scotland, CIW Wales, RQIA Northern Ireland)

Care providers carry duties under the Health and Social Care Act, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Health and Safety at Work Act, LOLER, COSHH and the Control of Legionella guidance (HSG274 / ACoP L8). The frequencies below are common practice. Your fire risk assessment, water risk assessment and equipment schedules set the real intervals.

Care homes

Typical recurring checks

Weekly

Fire alarm test

A different call point tested each week is common practice under BS 5839. The Fire Safety Order requires the system to be maintained; the weekly test is the widely used method.

 Six-monthly

LOLER hoist examination

Thorough examination of hoists and slings that lift people is required at least every 6 months under LOLER 1998. This one is a fixed legal minimum.

 Risk-assessed

Legionella / water temperature

Monthly hot and cold outlet temperature checks are common under HSG274, but the exact monitoring regime is set by your written water risk assessment.

 Annual

PAT (portable appliances)

Portable appliance testing has no fixed legal interval. Annual is common for care settings; the interval should be risk-assessed per appliance type and environment.

Sector 2 · Schools and education estates

Schools and education estates (DfE, HSE, local authority, academy trust)

Schools and colleges carry the same fire, legionella, asbestos and electrical duties as any employer, plus a duty of care to pupils. The DfE good-estate-management guidance and HSE cover most of it. Playground and PE equipment adds an annual competent-person inspection on top of routine visual checks.

Schools

Typical recurring checks

Termly

Fire evacuation drill

A fire drill each term (three a year) is standard practice for UK schools so every pupil and staff pattern is covered. The Fire Safety Order requires drills; termly is the common cadence.

 Annual + review

Fire risk assessment review

The fire risk assessment must be kept up to date and reviewed regularly, commonly at least annually and after any material change to the building or use.

 Annual + routine

Playground / PE equipment

An annual inspection by a competent person is standard (RPII for playgrounds), backed by routine visual and operational checks through the year.

 Ongoing

Asbestos management

Where an asbestos management plan exists, the condition of known ACMs is re-inspected at intervals set by the plan, commonly at least annually, under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Sector 3 · Fleet and transport

Fleet and transport (DVSA, DfT)

Operators of goods vehicles and PSVs work to the DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness. Two items here are firm. The daily walkaround check before first use is required, and the annual MOT (or first use anniversary test for HGVs and PSVs) is a fixed legal test. Safety inspection intervals are set by the operator based on vehicle type and use, and stated on the operator licence.

Fleet

Typical recurring checks

Daily

Driver walkaround check

A documented walkaround / first-use check before the vehicle is driven is required for commercial vehicles. Defects must be reported and recorded. This is a firm DVSA expectation.

 Operator-set

Safety inspection

Periodic safety inspections at a set interval (commonly every 4 to 13 weeks depending on vehicle age, type and mileage) declared on the operator licence. The interval is chosen by risk, not fixed nationally.

 Annual

MOT / annual test

Cars and vans from 3 years old, and HGVs / PSVs annually, must pass the statutory test. This is a fixed legal requirement.

 As used

Tachograph

Drivers download and check tachograph data on a rolling basis (driver card commonly every 28 days, vehicle unit at least every 90 days) under EU / GB drivers hours rules; calibration every 2 years.

Sector 4 · Food businesses

Food businesses (FSA, local authority EHO, HACCP)

Food businesses must have a food safety management system based on HACCP principles, commonly the FSA Safer Food, Better Business pack for smaller operators. The local authority environmental health officer inspects and rates the business. Most day-to-day frequencies are set inside the business own HACCP plan rather than by a single national number.

Food

Typical recurring checks

Daily

Temperature logs

Fridge, freezer and hot-holding temperatures are commonly checked and recorded at least daily, and cooking / cooling temperatures at each service, as set by the HACCP plan.

 Daily + deep

Cleaning schedule

A documented cleaning schedule runs daily for food-contact surfaces, with periodic deep cleans. Frequencies are set by the business own plan and risk.

 On change

HACCP review

The food safety management system is reviewed whenever the menu, process, supplier or premises change, and commonly at least annually as good practice.

 Ongoing

Allergen and pest control

Allergen information kept accurate for every dish (Natasha law for prepacked-for-direct-sale). Pest control monitored continuously, with contractor visits at a risk-assessed interval.

Sector 5 · General workplace

General workplace (HSE)

Every UK employer carries baseline duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Electricity at Work Regulations and RIDDOR. These apply on top of any sector-specific list above.

General workplace

Typical recurring checks

Annual

Fire extinguisher service

An annual basic service of fire extinguishers by a competent person is standard practice under BS 5306, plus routine monthly visual checks by staff.

 Monthly + annual

Emergency lighting

A short monthly function test and a full-duration annual test are standard under BS 5266. The Fire Safety Order requires the system be maintained.

 Risk-assessed

PAT and fixed wiring

Portable appliance testing has no fixed legal interval; it is risk-assessed. Fixed electrical installations are commonly inspected (EICR) at intervals up to 5 years for many workplaces.

 Duty

First aid and RIDDOR

First aid needs assessed and kit checked regularly (commonly monthly). RIDDOR reporting is not a schedule; certain injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences must be reported to the HSE when they happen.

Capture the record on the day

Schedule any of these as a WhatsApp workflow.

Quickler lets a firm turn any recurring check above into a scheduled WhatsApp workflow, so the person on the job records it on the day, dated and photo-backed, with no app to install. £20 per active user a month, dormant users free, free tier of 20 reports a month.

See a demo See pricing

This is a plain-English reference for how often each recurring UK compliance check is typically required, by sector, with the regulator named. It is written to be quoted. Where a frequency is fixed in law we say so. Where it is set by risk assessment, which is most of them, we say that instead of inventing a number.

Important: many of these intervals are set by your own written risk assessment, not by a single legal figure. Always confirm against the current guidance from the named regulator before you set a schedule.

The short version

  • Most UK compliance frequencies are risk-assessed, not fixed by law. The regulator sets the outcome; your risk assessment sets the interval.
  • A few are genuinely fixed: LOLER thorough examination of a hoist is at least every 6 months; the MOT / annual vehicle test is annual; the DVSA driver walkaround is before first use each day.
  • Fire alarm test weekly, emergency lighting monthly plus annual, fire extinguisher service annual are long-standing common practice under the relevant British Standards.
  • PAT has no fixed legal interval. Annual is common in higher-risk settings, but it should be risk-assessed.
  • Food and care frequencies mostly live inside your HACCP plan or care risk assessments, not in a national number.
  • This page is a starting point. Confirm every item against the named regulator's live guidance.

Sector 1

Care homes

Regulated by the CQC in England, the Care Inspectorate in Scotland, CIW in Wales and RQIA in Northern Ireland, on top of HSE, fire and LOLER duties.

CheckTypical frequencyGoverning body / basis
Fire alarm testWeekly (rotating call point)RRO 2005 / BS 5839
Fire drillCommonly every 6 months, more for night staffRRO 2005
Fire door checksCommonly every 6 months (quarterly in higher-risk)RRO 2005 / Fire Safety (England) Regs
Legionella / water temperaturesCommonly monthly outlet temps; regime set by water risk assessmentHSE HSG274 / ACoP L8
LOLER hoist thorough examinationAt least every 6 months (fixed)LOLER 1998
PATCommonly annual; risk-assessed, no fixed intervalElectricity at Work Regs 1989
IPC (infection prevention) auditCommonly monthly to quarterlyCQC / Care Inspectorate expectation
Medication (MAR) auditCommonly monthlyCQC / NICE good practice
Health and safety walkCommonly monthlyHSWA 1974 duty

Care frequencies for IPC, medication and H&S walks are provider policy set to meet the regulator's expectations, not a single legal number. Confirm against your regulator's current guidance.

Scotland

Scotland: the Care Inspectorate

In Scotland, care services are regulated by the Care Inspectorate rather than CQC, and the rhythm is different. There is no single fixed inspection interval; the Care Inspectorate inspects on a risk-based, unannounced basis, so a well-run service prepares continuously rather than to a date. The obligations a Scottish service does keep to a cadence are its own, and the honest answer to most "how often" questions here is "continuously, evidenced on the day".

ActivityTypical frequencyBasis
Self-evaluation against the quality frameworkContinuous, an ongoing expectation (not a once-a-year form)Care Inspectorate quality framework and Health and Social Care Standards
Annual return to the Care InspectorateAnnually, in the window the Care Inspectorate setsCare Inspectorate registration duty
InspectionRisk-based and unannounced, no fixed intervalCare Inspectorate scrutiny model
Notifiable eventsAs they occur, within the required timescaleCare Inspectorate notifiable events guidance

Frequencies are indicative and the Care Inspectorate updates its guidance; always work from the current published requirements. Quickler is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Care Inspectorate. See our Care Inspectorate compliance software guide for how a Scottish service captures self-evaluation and evidence on the day.

Sector 2

Schools and education estates

Schools and colleges follow DfE good estate management guidance, HSE duties and the same fire, legionella and asbestos law as any employer.

CheckTypical frequencyGoverning body / basis
Fire evacuation drillTermly (three a year)RRO 2005 / DfE practice
Fire risk assessment reviewCommonly at least annually, and on material changeRRO 2005
Legionella monitoringCommonly monthly temps; regime by water risk assessmentHSE HSG274 / ACoP L8
Asbestos management checkRe-inspection of known ACMs at plan interval, commonly at least annualControl of Asbestos Regs 2012
PATCommonly annual; risk-assessedElectricity at Work Regs 1989
Playground / PE equipmentAnnual competent-person inspection plus routine visual checksRPII / BS EN 1176 practice
Emergency lightingMonthly function test plus annual full testBS 5266 / RRO 2005

Termly fire drills and annual playground inspections are established practice rather than a single stated legal number. Confirm with your local authority or trust policy.

Sector 3

Fleet and transport

Operators follow the DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness. Walkaround and MOT are firm; safety-inspection intervals are operator-set on the licence.

CheckTypical frequencyGoverning body / basis
Driver walkaround checkDaily, before first use (fixed expectation)DVSA
Safety inspectionOperator-set interval, commonly every 4 to 13 weeksDVSA / operator licence
MOT / annual testAnnual (fixed)DVSA
Tachograph downloadDriver card commonly every 28 days; vehicle unit at least every 90 daysEU / GB drivers hours rules
Tachograph calibrationEvery 2 yearsDVSA / approved centre

The safety-inspection frequency is chosen by the operator from vehicle age, type and use, then declared on the operator licence. It is not a single national figure.

Sector 4

Food businesses

Food businesses run a HACCP-based food safety management system (often the FSA Safer Food, Better Business pack) and are inspected and rated by the local authority EHO.

CheckTypical frequencyGoverning body / basis
Temperature logsAt least daily; cooking / cooling at each serviceFSA / HACCP plan
Cleaning scheduleDaily, with periodic deep cleansFSA / HACCP plan
HACCP reviewOn any change; commonly at least annualRegulation (EC) 852/2004
Allergen checkOngoing; accurate for every dishFSA / Natasha law
Pest controlContinuous monitoring; contractor visits at risk-assessed intervalFSA / HACCP plan

Most food frequencies are set inside your own HACCP plan rather than by a fixed national number. The EHO checks that your plan exists, is followed and is recorded.

Sector 5

General workplace

Baseline HSE, fire and electrical duties that apply to every UK employer, on top of any sector list above.

CheckTypical frequencyGoverning body / basis
Fire extinguisher serviceAnnual basic service plus monthly visual checkBS 5306 / RRO 2005
Emergency lightingMonthly function test plus annual full-duration testBS 5266 / RRO 2005
Fire alarm testWeekly (rotating call point)BS 5839 / RRO 2005
PATRisk-assessed; no fixed legal intervalElectricity at Work Regs 1989
Fixed wiring (EICR)Commonly up to every 5 years for many workplacesElectricity at Work Regs 1989 / BS 7671
First aid provisionNeeds assessed; kit commonly checked monthlyHealth and Safety (First-Aid) Regs 1981
RIDDOR reportingNot a schedule; report reportable events when they occurRIDDOR 2013 / HSE

RIDDOR is a reporting duty, not a recurring check. Specified injuries, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences must be reported to the HSE within the RIDDOR time limits.

The tie-in, kept short

Capturing the record on the day

Knowing the frequency is half the job. The other half is having a dated, defensible record that the check actually happened, done at the point of work and not written up later from memory.

Quickler lets a firm schedule any recurring check above as a WhatsApp workflow. On the due day, the person on the job gets the questions in their existing WhatsApp chat and answers them, adding a photo where it helps. The result is a dated, photo-backed record and a shareable web report, with no app to install and no login. Pricing is £20 per active user per month with a £20 monthly minimum, plus a free tier of 20 reports a month, extra dormant users always free, with a free tier of 20 reports a month. See the demo.

Questions, answered

How often must a care home test its fire alarm?

Weekly is standard practice. A different manual call point is tested each week so that, over time, every point is checked, following BS 5839. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the alarm system to be maintained in working order; the weekly test is the common way to meet that. Your fire risk assessment may require more.

How often is a LOLER inspection required on a hoist?

At least every 6 months. Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, equipment used to lift people, such as a care-home hoist and its slings, must have a thorough examination by a competent person at least every six months. This is a fixed legal minimum, not a risk-assessed one.

How often must a school do a fire drill?

Termly is the common cadence, giving three drills a year, so that different times of day and staff patterns are covered. The Fire Safety Order requires that staff and occupants can evacuate safely and that this is practised; termly is established school practice rather than a single stated legal number.

How often does a commercial vehicle need a walkaround check?

Every day, before the vehicle is first used. The DVSA expects a documented daily walkaround check of a goods vehicle or PSV, with any defects reported and recorded before the vehicle goes out. This is a firm requirement, separate from the annual MOT and the operator-set safety inspection.

Is PAT testing a legal requirement every year?

No. Portable appliance testing has no fixed legal interval. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical equipment to be maintained to prevent danger; the frequency should be risk-assessed by appliance type and environment. Annual is common in higher-risk settings such as care homes, but it is not a legal minimum.

Are these frequencies legally fixed?

Mostly not. A few are fixed, such as the six-monthly LOLER hoist examination and the annual MOT. The majority are set by your own written risk assessment to meet a duty set by the regulator. Always confirm each item against the current guidance from the named body before you set a schedule.

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