FRNSW undertook a number of inspections of licensed premises within the Maitland local government area in March as part of a joint operation with the NSW Police Force.

The inspections were conducted to assist police in their licensing functions and to improve the level of fire safety within these buildings.

The Grand Junction, Queens Arms and Imperial hotels, Stockland Green Hills, Remondis Material Recycling at Thornton and Maitland Supa Save were all named in the report.

At Stockland Green Hills various fire safety non-compliances relating to fire sprinklers and smoke detection were found. An order was served on the premises owner by FRNSW which was subsequently complied with. Further matters were identified by FRNSW and satisfactorily followed up by council. No further action is recommended at this stage.

A FRNSW spokesperson said operations such as this are "normal occurrences". The spokesperson told The Mercury that inspections revealed a number of issues of concern. As a result, Fire Safety Orders for rectification works to address these matters were issued.

"Reports of the FRNSW inspections were also forwarded to Maitland City Council for consideration," the spokesperson said. "The reports identified a number of issues, such as fire compartmentation and separation, egress matters and smoke detection, all of which can be critical to ensure the safety of occupants in the event of a fire," the spokesperson said.

"FRNSW appreciates council's assistance in having these fire safety matters appropriately addressed."

The businesses were named in a report to Maitland City Council which was discussed at a meeting this week.

The report said: "It is considered to be crucial to accurately identify the specific (fire safety) defects within each building and implement adequate compliance measures in the interest of the safety of the general public and the occupants of the buildings.

"It is acknowledged that in some cases, particularly older buildings constructed well before current essential fire safety measures were mandatory, that full statutory compliance may not be achievable."

Each building report will now be reviewed with the age of the building and any physical constraints of the building to be considered prior to enforcing any fire safety upgrades.

Council will now serve orders on building owners identified in the report. A further report to council will recommend further actions as deemed necessary to ensure adequate fire safety measures are implemented in identified buildings.

Council will ask FRNSW that any future inspections be in the company of an appropriate council officer.