Will the SIA definitely give us notice before an inspection?

Usually, yes — the guidance says at least 72 hours is the normal practice. But it also allows an inspector to act urgently or without notice in some circumstances, so this should not be relied on as a guarantee.

If we don't write anything down, can we get in trouble just for that?

There is no separate penalty simply for lacking a document — the duty itself is to have appropriate, reasonably practicable procedures under section 5, not to produce paperwork. But if you cannot show what those procedures are when asked, that is a harder position to be in.

Does the SIA expect a particular format?

No format is required at standard tier. The SIA has said it plans to publish optional templates to help with this, but there is no requirement to use them.

Do we need to write anything down?

In short

There is no legal requirement at standard tier to prepare a written document setting out your procedures, and nothing has to be submitted to anyone. That is not the same as "nobody will ever ask": an inspector can ask to see documents, ask someone to explain them, or ask someone to attend an interview — and a committee that has written nothing down has nothing to point to.

Key points

Standard-tier premises have no legal duty to produce a document stating their procedures.
Standard-tier premises do not submit any documentation to the SIA as a matter of course.
An SIA inspector can still ask to view documents, ask someone to explain them, or require an interview.
"No document is required" and "nobody will ever ask" are different statements — only the first one is true.
Keeping a record helps you implement your own procedures and show what you decided, even though it is not itself a legal requirement.

No document is required

The statutory guidance is direct about this. Paragraph 7.32 states that at standard tier "there is no legal requirement to prepare a document stating the procedures in place". Nothing forces a hall committee to produce a procedures manual, a risk assessment document, or any other formal paperwork purely to satisfy the duty to have procedures.

And nobody has to submit anything either

This is a separate point from the one above, and it matters because the two get conflated. ProtectUK's own frequently asked questions, updated 15 October 2026, confirm that standard-tier premises do not submit documentation as part of complying with the Act. There is no filing requirement, no annual return, and nothing to send in alongside your notification.

What an inspector can actually ask for

"No document required" and "no document will ever be looked at" are not the same sentence, and only the first one is accurate. Paragraph 9.5 of the statutory guidance describes what an authorised inspector may do during an inspection: view and inspect physical or electronic documents on the premises, require anyone on the premises to explain a document relevant to the Act or say where it can be found, take copies of relevant documents, and require people on the premises to assist with the inspection. Paragraph 9.8 adds that an inspector may issue a notice requiring information, or require someone to attend an interview.

Paragraph 9.4 says inspections will usually come with at least 72 hours' written notice — but the same paragraph allows an inspector to act without notice in some circumstances, so this is not a guarantee you can rely on to prepare something at the last minute.

So a committee that has genuinely thought through its procedures but written nothing down is not breaking a rule by doing so — but it also has nothing to show, explain or hand over if asked. The same paragraph goes on to say that a document nonetheless should be prepared, to give a basis for the procedures being understood and communicated to the people who need them — a recommendation, not a duty. Keeping a simple record of what you decided, when, and who was told, is not a legal obligation, but it is the thing most likely to help you if the SIA ever makes enquiries.

Common questions

Will the SIA definitely give us notice before an inspection?: Usually, yes — the guidance says at least 72 hours is the normal practice. But it also allows an inspector to act urgently or without notice in some circumstances, so this should not be relied on as a guarantee.
If we don't write anything down, can we get in trouble just for that?: There is no separate penalty simply for lacking a document — the duty itself is to have appropriate, reasonably practicable procedures under section 5, not to produce paperwork. But if you cannot show what those procedures are when asked, that is a harder position to be in.
Does the SIA expect a particular format?: No format is required at standard tier. The SIA has said it plans to publish optional templates to help with this, but there is no requirement to use them.

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Sources

Last reviewed 2 November 2026, against the statutory guidance of 15 April 2026 (corrected 6 August 2026).