Introduction

Hybrid working has become normal for many organisations. In this guide you will learn practical steps to manage fire safety for hybrid working environments, how legal duties apply to workers who split time between home and office, and what simple systems reduce risk and demonstrate compliance.

What makes hybrid working different for fire safety?

Hybrid working changes where risk sits. Employees carry laptops, chargers and peripherals between locations. Some use domestic sockets and shared spaces not designed for long-term office use. Others set up temporary workstations in kitchens or bedrooms. All of this increases the chance of overloaded sockets, damaged leads, and unattended charging of batteries.

Because responsibility can feel stretched between employer and employee, clarity is essential. The person responsible for a workplace remains the “responsible person” under workplace fire safety law and must carry out a suitable fire risk assessment for non-domestic premises. GOV.UK

Carry out targeted risk assessments for hybrid work patterns

Start by extending standard fire risk assessments to cover how hybrid working affects your building and people. Focus on three things: the workplace, the equipment you provide, and how staff move equipment between sites.

Workplace — check escape routes, detection and alarm coverage for areas where staff gather on-office days.

Equipment — log company laptops, docking stations, chargers and hot-desking kits.

Movement — map how equipment moves so you can identify items at higher risk of damage or incorrect charging.

Record the findings and set a review date. GOV.UK sets out the basic duties for the responsible person, including carrying out and recording fire risk assessments and providing information and training for staff. GOV.UK

Fire safety for hybrid working environments: managing electrical and charging risks

Portable electrical equipment and charging gear are common ignition sources. Adopt a risk-based maintenance regime rather than blanket annual testing. HSG107 and INDG236 encourage user checks, formal visual inspections and targeted PAT testing according to risk and environment. This approach helps you keep costs proportionate and reduces fire risk where it matters most.

Practical rules to adopt

Provide company chargers where possible and avoid staff using cheap third-party chargers.

Prohibit charging of lithium batteries unattended overnight in communal areas.

Require visual checks before use and a quick defect report process for damaged plugs, frayed cables or loose connectors.

Keep an inventory of regularly moved equipment so you can target inspections at higher‑use items.

Document your inspection programme. Records demonstrate a proportionate, reasonable approach to the Electricity at Work Regulations and help if you must show due diligence to insurers or inspectors. INDG236

Display screen equipment (DSE) and home workstation fire risks

Many hybrid workers are also DSE users. The HSE makes clear that the Display Screen Equipment Regulations can apply where staff work at home or split time between home and office. Employers should carry out DSE assessments that cover both environments and provide guidance or equipment when assessments identify problems. HSE

From a fire safety perspective, DSE checks should include:

Domestic extension lead use — whether extension leads power both work and household devices.

Proximity hazards — chargers near paper or soft furnishings that increase fuel load.

Outlet suitability — suitability of power outlets used for docking stations and monitors.

Battery storage and charging — whether battery packs are stored or charged near combustible materials.

If an assessment shows a worker cannot achieve a safe setup at home, offer an office alternative or provide appropriate equipment. Where employers supply items, staff must not be charged for them. HSE

Practical controls for buildings, office days and hot-desking

Bring your hybrid policy into building-level fire safety controls. These measures reduce both ignition sources and the consequences of fire.

Housekeeping — enforce clear rules for hot-desking areas: no personal heaters, keep charging to designated zones, and avoid leaving chargers on desks overnight.

Signage — place signage near communal sockets and meeting rooms reminding staff to avoid daisy-chaining extension leads.

Detection and zoning — review your fire detection zoning and alarm coverage if occupancy patterns change; kitchens and flexible workspaces may need improved detection if used more frequently.

Occupancy register — maintain a clear register of who is in the building on any given day to support safe evacuation, especially for lone workers.

Evacuation testing — test evacuation procedures on days with typical hybrid occupancy to make sure routes and assembly points work in practice.

If you need professional help updating your building arrangements, a fire strategy or focused FRA is a reliable next step. See how Total Safe fire strategy plan.

Training, communication and remote incident reporting

Training must reflect hybrid risks. Provide concise guidance for home and office setups, and emphasise the simple checks staff should do before plugging in work equipment. Train staff to report faults and near misses promptly and make sure managers follow up.

Use regular communications to remind staff about specific hazards such as lithium battery charging, adapted appliances, or temporary heaters. For lone or remote workers, ensure they know who to call in an emergency and how to report a fire or an electrical fault out of hours.

Record training and distribute guidance as part of your safety management system. This helps show the steps you have taken to meet your responsibilities under fire safety law. GOV.UK

Policy examples and a simple hybrid fire-safety checklist

You can implement many measures without major investment. Below is a concise checklist to start with. Adopt, adapt and record as part of your fire safety logbook.

Audit hybrid workers and equipment — carry out a short audit of which employees are hybrid and which equipment they take between locations.

DSE self-assessments — run DSE self-assessments for home workstations and offer equipment where needed. HSE

Asset register — create an asset register for company chargers, docks and batteries; prioritise inspections for high-use items.

User checks and reporting — introduce user checks and a simple reporting process for electrical faults; arrange formal visual inspections based on risk. INDG236

Charging controls — prohibit unattended charging of batteries in communal spaces and overnight on-site charging outside designated areas.

Detector and evacuation review — review alarm and detector coverage for flexible spaces and update evacuation plans to reflect hybrid occupancy.

Training — provide short, focused training on fire prevention in both domestic and office settings; keep records of attendance and materials. GOV.UK

If you prefer to outsource the technical work, Total Safe fire safety services can deliver FRAs, equipment testing programmes and remedial recommendations.

Working with contractors, co-working spaces and third-party sites

Hybrid working increases the variety of premises your staff may use. If employees work from co-working spaces, shared offices or client sites, check who is the responsible person for fire safety on those premises. Ask for copies of the host site’s fire risk assessment where appropriate, and ensure staff know the local escape and assembly arrangements.

When you provide equipment to third‑party sites, include clear instructions on safe use and storage. Also, ensure your insurance and liability arrangements reflect any extended use at external locations.

Case study: common problems and quick fixes

Problem: Staff bring multiple chargers to a meeting room and use a single extension lead, causing overheating.

Fix: Provide clearly labelled charging hubs or a limited number of business-grade USB chargers. Add a short reminder in the meeting-room booking confirmation.

Problem: A department uses personal heaters during cold spells because hot-desking spaces get chilly.

Fix: Update the facilities policy to provide approved heating or encourage breaking-up of bookings; ban personal heaters unless provided and approved.

Problem: Laptops and batteries are left charging on soft furnishings at home.

Fix: Add guidance in DSE training and email reminders about safe charging locations and battery handling.

These fixes are low cost but effective at reducing the most common hybrid-related ignition sources.

When to call in specialists

You should consider external support where your assessments identify:

Complex building changes to occupancy or layout.

Repeated electrical faults or unclear origins of overheating.

Uncertainty about alarm coverage and compartmentation adequacy for new occupancy patterns.

Competent consultants can produce a clear plan, timescales and costed remedial works. If you need a specialist survey or to implement engineering measures, Speak to Total Safe about tailored FRA and remediation.

Conclusion — next steps to get hybrid fire safety under control

To manage fire safety for hybrid working environments, take a structured approach: extend your fire risk assessment to reflect hybrid patterns, adopt a risk-based electrical inspection regime, carry out DSE checks for home workstations, and communicate simple, enforceable rules for charging and hot-desking. Keep records and training concise, and involve specialists where technical uncertainty exists. For practical support with assessments, testing and fire strategy, GOV.UK and specialist providers such as Total Safe can help you turn findings into a clear, compliant action plan.