Fire Safety Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions about fire risk assessments, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors and workplace fire safety.
Practical Fire Safety Guidance for Businesses
Understanding your fire safety responsibilities can sometimes be complicated. We've answered some of the questions businesses and organisations most frequently ask us.
The exact fire safety measures required for a premises depend on factors including its use, layout, occupants, activities and the findings of the fire risk assessment.
Use the categories below to find answers about individual areas of fire safety, or contact Fire Services Central if you need advice relating to your premises.
Fire Risk Assessment FAQs
Understanding fire hazards, people at risk and the precautions required within your premises.
Fire Risk Assessment Services →Do I need a fire risk assessment?
If you are responsible for a business or other non-domestic premises, you will normally need to ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out.
The assessment identifies fire hazards, people who may be at risk and the measures required to reduce the risk and protect people if a fire occurs.
Who is responsible for carrying out a fire risk assessment?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, responsibility rests with the Responsible Person. Depending on the premises, this may be an employer, owner, landlord, occupier or another person or organisation with control of the premises.
Where there is more than one Responsible Person, they need to cooperate and coordinate their fire safety arrangements.
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
A fire risk assessment must be kept under review and updated where necessary.
A review is particularly important where there is reason to believe the assessment is no longer valid or where significant changes have been made to the premises, its use, activities or the people who may be at risk.
Can I carry out my own fire risk assessment?
A Responsible Person can carry out a fire risk assessment themselves if they have sufficient knowledge and competence to do so.
Where the premises or risks are more complex, or you do not have the necessary expertise, you should obtain assistance from a competent fire risk assessor.
What does a fire risk assessment look at?
A fire risk assessment considers potential sources of ignition and fuel, people who may be at risk, fire detection and warning, firefighting equipment, escape routes, emergency lighting, fire doors, emergency procedures and other relevant fire precautions.
Do I need to keep a written fire risk assessment?
Responsible Persons are required to record their completed fire risk assessment. Records should also be kept up to date as the assessment is reviewed and revised.
Fire Extinguisher FAQs
Choosing, positioning and maintaining appropriate firefighting equipment for your premises.
Fire Extinguisher Services →Does my business need fire extinguishers?
Appropriate firefighting equipment should be provided where required by the fire risk assessment. The equipment needed depends on the premises and the types of fire risk present.
How often should fire extinguishers be serviced?
Portable fire extinguishers should normally receive a basic service by a competent person at least annually, in accordance with BS 5306-3.
Additional maintenance or extended servicing may also be required depending on the extinguisher type, age and condition.
Should fire extinguishers be checked between annual services?
Yes. Regular visual checks should be made to ensure extinguishers remain in their designated positions, are accessible, have not been discharged or damaged and do not show obvious signs of tampering or deterioration.
What are the different types of fire extinguisher used for?
Different extinguishing media are suited to different fire risks. Common types include water, foam, carbon dioxide (CO₂), dry powder and wet chemical extinguishers.
The correct extinguisher depends on the materials and equipment present. For example, CO₂ extinguishers are commonly associated with electrical equipment risks, while wet chemical extinguishers are designed for fires involving high-temperature cooking oils and fats.
Extinguisher selection should form part of the overall fire risk assessment and fire protection strategy.
Where should fire extinguishers be positioned?
Extinguishers should be clearly visible and readily accessible, normally positioned at appropriate locations such as escape routes, exits and near specific fire risks where suitable.
Their location should not require someone to place themselves at unnecessary risk in order to reach them.
Can I service my own fire extinguishers?
Routine visual checks can be carried out by someone within the organisation, but formal extinguisher servicing should be undertaken by a competent person with the appropriate knowledge, equipment and procedures.
Do new fire extinguishers still need servicing?
New extinguishers should be correctly commissioned and incorporated into the premises' ongoing inspection and maintenance programme. They should not simply be purchased and left unmanaged.
Fire Alarm FAQs
Fire detection, warning systems, routine testing and professional servicing.
Fire Alarm Servicing →Does my business need a fire alarm?
Business and non-domestic premises need an appropriate means of detecting fire and warning people.
The type and complexity of the system required depends on factors including the building, its use, layout, occupancy and the findings of the fire risk assessment.
How often should a commercial fire alarm be serviced?
For systems maintained in accordance with BS 5839-1, inspection and servicing by a competent organisation should normally take place at intervals not exceeding six months.
More frequent attention may be appropriate where required by the fire risk assessment, system conditions or other circumstances.
How often should a fire alarm be tested?
Commercial fire alarm systems are normally subject to routine user testing in addition to professional servicing. For many systems, this includes a weekly test using a different manual call point in rotation.
The appropriate testing regime should reflect the type of system installed and the applicable maintenance recommendations.
What is the difference between fire alarm testing and servicing?
Routine testing confirms that the alarm can be activated and that the warning signal operates.
Professional servicing involves a more detailed inspection and examination of the system, including relevant control equipment, detection devices, manual call points, power supplies and fault indications.
What is a conventional fire alarm system?
A conventional fire alarm divides a building into zones. When a detector or call point operates, the fire alarm control panel identifies the affected zone rather than the exact individual device.
What is an addressable fire alarm system?
An addressable system identifies individual devices on the system, allowing the control panel to provide more precise information about the location of an activation or fault.
Can an existing fire alarm system be upgraded?
Often, yes. Whether an existing system can be extended or upgraded depends on its age, condition, manufacturer, available capacity, compatibility and the requirements of the premises.
Emergency Lighting FAQs
Helping people find and use escape routes safely if normal lighting fails.
Emergency Lighting Services →Does my business need emergency lighting?
Emergency escape lighting is required where it is necessary to enable people to use escape routes safely if the normal lighting fails.
Whether it is required, and where it should be provided, should be considered as part of the fire risk assessment and the design of the premises.
Where is emergency lighting normally required?
Depending on the building, emergency lighting may be needed along escape routes, at changes of direction or level, near exits and stairs, and in other locations necessary to help occupants evacuate safely.
How often should emergency lighting be tested?
Emergency lighting systems require regular testing and maintenance. This normally includes short functional tests and periodic full-duration testing in accordance with the appropriate maintenance regime.
What is a maintained emergency light?
A maintained emergency light operates during normal conditions and continues to operate from its emergency supply if the normal power supply fails.
What is a non-maintained emergency light?
A non-maintained emergency light normally remains off while the normal lighting supply is available and illuminates when the normal supply fails.
Fire Door FAQs
Maintaining an important part of a building's passive fire protection.
Fire Door Inspections →What is the purpose of a fire door?
Fire doors form part of a building's passive fire protection and are designed to resist the spread of fire and, where applicable, smoke for a specified period.
They help protect escape routes and maintain fire separation between different areas of a building.
How often should fire doors be inspected?
Fire doors should be checked regularly, with the frequency reflecting the building, use, level of traffic, condition of the doors and applicable fire safety requirements.
Doors in high-use or vulnerable locations may require more frequent inspection.
What should be checked on a fire door?
Checks may include the door leaf and frame, hinges, self-closing device, glazing, seals, gaps, signage and whether the door closes correctly into the frame without obstruction.
Can a damaged fire door be repaired?
Some defects can be repaired, but the appropriate action depends on the nature and extent of the damage and the specification of the door.
Significant damage or unsuitable alterations may require more substantial remedial work or replacement.
Should fire doors be wedged open?
A fire door that is required to remain closed should not be held open using an uncontrolled wedge or other object that prevents it from closing in a fire.
Where operational requirements mean a door needs to be held open, an appropriate approved hold-open arrangement linked to the fire alarm may be suitable depending on the circumstances.
Why are self-closing devices important?
Where a fire door is required to be self-closing, the closer helps ensure that the door returns to its closed position after use so that it can perform its intended fire-separating function.
Workplace Fire Safety FAQs
Understanding some of the principal fire safety duties for businesses and non-domestic premises.
Fire Safety Responsibilities →Who is the Responsible Person for fire safety?
Depending on the circumstances, the Responsible Person may be an employer, owner, landlord, occupier or another person or organisation with control of the premises.
There can be more than one Responsible Person for the same premises, in which case they must cooperate and coordinate their fire safety arrangements.
What are the main responsibilities of the Responsible Person?
Responsibilities include carrying out and reviewing a fire risk assessment, putting appropriate fire safety measures in place, maintaining those measures, planning for an emergency and providing relevant information, instruction and training.
Do employees need fire safety training?
Employees need appropriate fire safety information, instruction and training. New staff should receive relevant training when they start work and employees should be informed about new or changed fire risks.
How often should a workplace have a fire drill?
GOV.UK guidance states that at least one fire drill should be carried out each year and the results recorded as part of the fire safety and evacuation plan.
Some premises may require more frequent drills depending on the nature of the building, occupants and fire safety arrangements.
Do fire safety systems and equipment need maintenance?
Yes. Fire safety systems and equipment should be kept in effective working order and appropriately maintained.
This can include fire alarms, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment, fire doors, escape routes and associated fire safety measures.
What records should a business keep?
Appropriate records may include the fire risk assessment, testing and maintenance records, fire alarm information, emergency lighting tests, extinguisher servicing, fire drills, staff training and records of significant fire safety actions.
Start With a Fire Risk Assessment
Your fire risk assessment is the foundation of your fire safety arrangements. It considers the hazards within your premises, the people who may be at risk and the measures needed to help protect them.
Explore Our Fire Safety Resources
More practical information to help you understand and manage fire safety within your premises.
Fire Safety Responsibilities
Understand the duties of the Responsible Person and the areas of fire safety that may need to be managed.
Read More → FIRE PREVENTIONCommon Causes of Workplace Fires
Learn about common workplace fire hazards and practical measures that can help reduce the risk.
Read More → UPDATESFire Safety News & Updates
Read our latest fire safety information, regulatory updates and practical guidance.
Read More →The information on this page provides general fire safety guidance and should not be treated as a substitute for a suitable fire risk assessment, competent professional advice or advice relating to the specific circumstances of your premises. Requirements can vary according to the building, its use, occupants and risks.
Still Have a Fire Safety Question?
Speak to Fire Services Central about fire risk assessments, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors or your ongoing fire safety requirements.
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