The Ultimate Fire Safety Checklist for Office Buildings

If you’re a facilities manager, business owner or fire safety officer for your office building, you’ll know that fire safety is an ongoing duty. You have a legal obligation to do everything you can to prevent fires and keep occupants safe.

To help you do this, we’ve created the ultimate checklist for fire safety in your office. This outlines the equipment you should have and the tactics to use for your building:

✅ Fire Alarms

Fire alarms and detection systems are an absolute necessity for non-domestic premises, giving you the early warning needed to allow for a swift, safe evacuation. Depending on your office setting, there are different categories to be applied (L1, L2, L3, etc.), so it’s worth consulting professional installers to get the right coverage.

Additional considerations:

• Integrated fire alarm systems for an emergency response
• Regular, scheduled maintenance to prevent false alarms
• Weekly testing of your office fire alarm

✅ Fire Extinguishers

In the event of a small fire, having the right fire extinguisher to hand could prevent a major disaster. Office spaces commonly require water and foam extinguishers to tackle the range of combustible materials, along with CO2 extinguishers to safely put out electrical fires.

Additional considerations:

• Keep your extinguisher in working condition with regular inspections
• Train staff on how to use extinguishers and which ones to use
• Seek professional recommendations if you don’t know how many you need

✅ Fire Safety Training

Education on fire safety principles is the surest way to keep everyone in your office safe. This should include appointed fire wardens to lead your evacuations, who will require specific training.

Additional considerations:

• Conduct regular fire drills to ensure people are prepared
• Keep a record of training sessions for compliance purposes
• Train new fire wardens whenever a current warden leaves

✅ Fire Signage

Make it clear and easy for everyone to understand where equipment is located, what to do in an emergency and where exit points are with fire signage. Signs should comply with BS EN ISO 7010, the universal standard for how signs look, including fire extinguisher signs and fire action notices.

Additional considerations:

• Place fire signage strategically throughout your office building
• Inspect signage regularly for damage and visibility

✅ Fire Risk Assessment

Fire risk assessments are a legal obligation to help you understand the risks in your office and how they can be mitigated. Arrange your assessment with a professional and implement all recommendations to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Additional considerations:

• Document your assessments and the actions you take
• Get a new assessment if your building or business undergoes a significant change
• Identify any vulnerable individuals in your building

✅ Fire Doors

Crucial to preventing the spread of smoke and flames, fire doors aid safe evacuation from your building in the event of a fire. Office fire doors must have the appropriate fire rating, and should be installed by qualified professionals.

Additional considerations:

• Arrange regular inspections and maintenance for all fire doors
• Educate occupants on keeping fire doors closed and unobstructed

✅ Emergency Lighting

During an emergency, such as a fire, the power may go out, so emergency lighting is crucial to help guide people safely out of your office. Lighting should be applied in line with BS 5266-1, helping you meet your legal obligation.

Additional considerations:

• Seek professional advice on the placement of lighting
• Book regular testing, maintenance and inspections
• Check your fire risk assessment for recommendations

You could face serious consequences if your office doesn’t comply with fire safety regulations – read our previous post about fire breaches. Make sure you have everything you need when it comes to fire extinguishers, accessories and fire signage. At Fire Safety Equipment, we’ve got it all in one handy store!

Order online today and check crucial equipment off your list — we offer fast, free delivery for the UK mainland.