Sorry, but no, it isn't... IF they included accessibility in an EHO visit, (which they don't usually, trust me, I've presided over hundreds of them and have never been questioned on it) then it would be included in the structural section, of the 3 sections. And one issue would still not lead to you losing a shot at a perfect 5 score. NO kitchen is perfect, it's about minimising risks, not achieving perfection. If you had to have a completely faultless visit to get 5 out of 5 then nobody would get 5, ever.
Here's how the scoring works
You are scored on 3 sections.
- Food Hygiene and Safety (Is there a HACCP management system in place, is food being stored properly, cooked properly, labeled properly etc etc)
- Structural Compliance (this covers things like hot water, condition of the structure and equipment, etc etc... It does not cover accessibility in my experience.)
- Confidence in Management (Is management proactive in ensuring the management system is adhered to, is management knowledgeable and qualified, have there been any complaints of illness from members of the public, etc etc )
For each failing found on inspection, you're given points in one of these categories.
To get a score of 5: Total points scored no higher than 15, No single category score higher than 5
To get a score of 4: Total points scored no higher than 20, No single category score higher than 10
To get a score of 3: Total points scored no higher than 30, No single category score higher than 10
To get a score of 2: Total points scored no higher than 40, No single category score higher than 15
To get a score of 1: Total points scored no higher than 50, No single category score higher than 20
So...
To get a zero you have to have a total points score higher than 50. (Or I believe, a clear and immediate danger to public health, but I don't know that for sure.)
It is easy to slip up in silly areas, I've been there myself, where structural things catch you out, or paperwork is not done properly. I've had a hand wash tap, classed as too hot, get me points for example. But even on the toughest day, with the strictest EHO who seems set on wrecking your day with pettiness, these issues usually lead to a 4 or a 3. To score a zero is mind boggling, I've genuinely no idea just how bad it would have to be to get that, and I've been in the trade a long long time, and seen a lot of stuff. Trust me, it's bloody hard to get a score that bad.
(Move over
@Hixee We're in MY wheelhouse now.
)