The Cost of Outdated Fire Protection: What UK Businesses Risk

Keeping your fire protection up to date is an ongoing responsibility. Fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting, fire doors and fire risk assessments all need attention over time to make sure they remain suitable for your premises.

Failing to maintain your fire protection can put people at risk, but there are also serious consequences for the business itself. Enforcement action, disruption, repair costs and insurance problems can all follow when fire safety is allowed to fall behind.

What does outdated fire protection mean?

Outdated fire protection does not necessarily mean equipment is visibly old. A system can appear to be in good condition while no longer providing the protection the premises require.

Examples include:

• A fire risk assessment that no longer reflects how the building is used
• Fire extinguishers that have missed scheduled servicing
• A fire alarm system with unresolved faults
• Emergency lighting that has not been properly tested
• Damaged or poorly maintained fire doors
• Escape route signage that no longer matches the building layout
• Fire safety procedures that new members of staff have not been taught

These problems can develop gradually, particularly in busy workplaces where fire safety checks are pushed down the list of priorities.

An old fire risk assessment may no longer reflect the premises

A fire risk assessment is not something that should be completed and then forgotten.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must make sure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. It must also be reviewed regularly and when there is reason to believe it is no longer valid or there has been a change that affects fire safety.

Changes can include:

• Alterations to the building
• New internal walls or partitions
• Changes to escape routes
• New machinery or electrical equipment
• Different working practices
• Changes in staffing or occupancy
• New storage arrangements

An assessment completed several years ago may bear little resemblance to the way the premises are being used today.

Fire safety equipment can develop faults

Fire protection equipment spends much of its life waiting to be used. This makes routine testing and maintenance particularly important.

A fire alarm may develop a fault. An emergency light battery can deteriorate. A fire extinguisher may become damaged or lose pressure. A fire door closer can stop operating correctly.

Some faults are obvious, while others may only be discovered during testing or servicing.

Regular maintenance gives businesses the opportunity to find these problems before the equipment is needed during an emergency.

You could face enforcement action

Fire and rescue authorities are responsible for enforcing fire safety legislation in most non-domestic premises in England and Wales.

If an inspection identifies problems, action can range from advice through to formal enforcement.

Depending on the circumstances, this can include:

• An enforcement notice requiring fire safety improvements
• An alterations notice where changes to the premises could create serious risks
• A prohibition notice restricting or preventing use of all or part of the premises
• Prosecution for serious breaches of fire safety law

A prohibition notice can have an immediate financial impact if areas of a building cannot be used until safety problems have been addressed.

Fire safety failures can lead to substantial fines

Serious breaches of fire safety law can lead to prosecution.

Minor offences can result in fines, while more serious cases heard in the Crown Court can result in unlimited fines. Individuals can also face imprisonment for certain offences.

The financial impact does not necessarily end with the penalty. A business may also face legal costs, remedial work and lost income while problems are corrected.

Your insurance could become more complicated

Businesses should understand the fire safety conditions attached to their insurance policies.

An insurer may expect specified precautions, maintenance or security measures to be followed. The exact conditions differ between policies, so businesses should check their own documents rather than make assumptions about their cover.

If a fire occurs, insurers may investigate the circumstances surrounding the loss and whether relevant policy conditions were met.

Keeping maintenance records, servicing documentation and an up-to-date fire risk assessment provides evidence of how fire safety has been managed.

Business interruption can cost more than damaged equipment

The direct cost of replacing damaged property is only one part of the financial impact of a fire.

A business may also experience:

• Temporary closure
• Lost sales
• Cancelled appointments or orders
• Damage to stock
• Replacement of equipment
• Temporary premises costs
• Delays while repairs are completed
• Loss of important documents or business data

Even a relatively small fire can affect an area of a building for days or weeks through smoke, water damage and the work required to make the premises safe again.

Outdated fire protection can put people at greater risk

The most serious consequence is the increased risk to employees, customers, contractors and visitors.

Fire protection measures work together. Detection provides warning, escape routes provide a way out, emergency lighting helps people see those routes and fire doors help limit the spread of fire and smoke.

If one or more of these measures fails, people may have less time to leave safely.

Warning signs that your fire protection needs attention

It may be time to review your arrangements if:

• You cannot remember when the fire risk assessment was last reviewed
• Fire extinguishers have missed servicing
• The alarm panel regularly displays faults
• Emergency lighting tests are not being recorded
• Fire doors are damaged or regularly wedged open
• The building layout has changed
• Fire safety records are incomplete
• Staff are unsure what to do when the alarm sounds

These are issues that should be investigated rather than left until the next inspection.

Prevention costs less than dealing with a fire

Maintaining fire protection requires time and money, but dealing with a serious fire or enforcement action can be far more expensive.

A sensible approach is to keep a clear maintenance schedule covering your fire alarm, extinguishers, emergency lighting, fire doors and other equipment. Your fire risk assessment should also be reviewed so it continues to reflect the premises.

If you are unsure whether your fire protection is up to date, arranging a professional review can identify areas that need attention and give you a clear plan for dealing with them.