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Safeguard my business from electrical fire hazards: practical steps for peak operational hours

Safeguard my business from electrical fire hazards and learn clear, practical steps to reduce risk during peak operational hours, protect staff and customers, and meet your legal duties. This guide explains what causes electrical fires in busy workplaces, the standards and checks you should follow, and the operational and technical controls that work best when your business is at its busiest.

Why electrical fires rise during peak operational hours

Busy periods change how equipment is used. Machines, chargers, kettles and IT kit run for longer and under heavier loads. Staff move quickly and may plug in extra devices or use temporary extension leads. These behaviours increase heat, cause overloaded circuits and raise the chance of faults developing.

Faulty appliances, worn cables and poor maintenance are common ignition sources, and they are more likely to be exposed during peak times. The National Fire Chiefs Council highlights that faulty appliances and overloaded sockets are a leading cause of accidental fires, underlining the need for careful control of electrical use. National Fire Chiefs Council

As the responsible person, you must manage fire risk and take reasonable steps to protect people on your premises. The GOV.UK fire safety guidance for offices and shops sets out what a fire risk assessment must cover, including electrical risks, testing regimes and training. You must identify hazards, evaluate risks, record significant findings where required, and keep the assessment under review.

Electricity-specific duties are covered by regulations and recognised standards. The Electricity at Work Regulations require that electrical systems are maintained so they do not cause danger. Compliance with BS 7671 (the Wiring Regulations) and routine fixed wiring inspections helps demonstrate sensible risk management. For practical advice on working safely around electrical equipment consult the HSE guidance on electrical work.

How to safeguard my business from electrical fire hazards during peak hours

Start by making the fire risk assessment explicit about peak-hour scenarios. Think about which areas and activities change when the site is busiest, and identify the appliances, wiring and behaviours most likely to generate risk. Use these findings to set proportionate controls, such as limiting portable heater use, designating charging points and setting maximum permitted appliances per socket. The GOV.UK guide explains how to evaluate and record such actions in your fire risk assessment.

Practical steps to implement immediately:

Map high-demand circuits and label them clearly. This prevents accidental overloading and helps staff and contractors avoid concentrating heavy loads on a single circuit.

Allocate fixed charging hubs for devices such as laptops, phones and power tools. Keep charging away from escape routes and combustible materials to reduce ignition risk.

Remove redundant extension leads and replace makeshift power solutions with professionally installed outlets. Makeshift setups often lack protection and increase fault likelihood.

Train staff to report hot sockets, flickering lights or damaged cables without delay. Early reporting prevents escalation into overheating and fire.

Inspection, testing and maintenance routines

Routine checks identify problems before they escalate. Portable appliance testing (PAT) should be scheduled according to the type of equipment and how intensively it is used. For example, high-use appliances and those used in harsher environments usually need testing more frequently. Total Safe explains what PAT testing involves and how it supports wider fire safety audits.

Fixed electrical installation inspections (periodic inspection and testing) are equally important. A formal report from a qualified electrician will show whether a consumer unit, circuits or protective devices are functioning correctly. Where remedial work is needed, plan it outside peak hours where possible or stage the work to avoid operational disruption. The HSE emphasises the importance of involving a competent person for complex electrical work.

Controls and equipment that reduce electrical fire risk

Invest in protective devices and systems that act automatically when faults occur. These systems protect staff and property by interrupting dangerous conditions before they develop.

Residual Current Devices (RCDs) and circuit breakers. These reduce the risk of overheating and electric shock by cutting power quickly when faults occur.

Overload protection in distribution boards. Properly configured overload protection prevents sustained overcurrent that can cause conductor heating.

Fixed suppression and detection systems. Appropriate suppression and early detection improve control where critical equipment operates.

Good emergency lighting and fire alarm systems. These ensure safe evacuation during incidents and must be tested and maintained regularly.

Ensure all installed systems are tested and maintained by competent contractors and recorded in your maintenance logs. The GOV.UK guidance recommends testing schedules and assigning competent persons to ensure continuity.

Operational controls for peak periods

Operational changes often deliver fast risk reduction at little cost. Implement clear, auditable routines so staff know expectations during busy shifts.

Stagger start-up times for equipment to reduce simultaneous inrush currents that can overload circuits.

Introduce a permitted appliance list so staff only bring approved devices on site and avoid unknown load profiles.

Use supervisors or floor managers to monitor plug-in areas and enforce safe charging rules during busy shifts.

Implement clear housekeeping to prevent combustible waste from accumulating near electrical panels or high-heat appliances.

Plan service windows for non-critical inspections during quiet hours and keep contingency power plans for critical systems.

Safe charging, batteries and new energy technologies

Lithium-ion batteries are common but present specific hazards. The NFCC warns that poorly manufactured or incorrectly used batteries (for e-bikes, scooters and similar devices) have caused fires and recommends controlled charging locations, genuine chargers and avoiding storage in communal escape routes.

If your business allows staff or customers to charge such devices: set clear rules and provide dedicated, supervised charging areas away from escape routes and combustibles.

For company-owned battery equipment: develop manufacturer-aligned charging protocols, inspect chargers and cables regularly, remove visibly damaged batteries and follow safe disposal guidance.

Staff training, supervision and emergency planning

People are both a source of risk and your best defence. Staff must understand how to use equipment safely, how to spot early warning signs such as burning smells or warm plugs, and what to do if they encounter a fault.

Training should include: safe use of extension leads and power strips, reporting procedures for electrical faults, correct extinguisher use for small electrical fires, and evacuation routes and assembly points particularly during busy hours.

Fire drills that simulate peak-hour conditions help test whether people can evacuate safely when the site is crowded. Ensure records of training and drills are retained as part of your fire safety management system. The GOV.UK guidance stresses the need to provide suitable information and training to staff.

When to bring in specialist help

If your assessment shows recurring faults, overloaded distribution, or complex equipment such as industrial ovens or server rooms, call a competent specialist. Total Safe provides tailored fire risk assessments and combined services such as PAT testing and equipment maintenance, helping businesses reduce downtime and remain compliant.

Specialist involvement is essential where failure could cause major harm, such as in high-occupancy venues, retail premises with many chargers, or sites with hazardous materials. The HSE recommends competent persons for work that cannot be safely managed in-house.

Record-keeping and continuous improvement

Good records prove diligence and make it easier to improve. Keep a single compliance folder with clear, dated documents so actions and reviews are auditable.

Include: fire risk assessment documents and reviews.

PAT test certificates and remedial action logs.

Fixed wiring inspection reports.

Maintenance and servicing records for alarms, suppression and extinguishers.

Training attendance lists and drill reports.

Review these items at least annually or when operational patterns change. When you act on inspection findings, note the corrective actions and verify completion. This approach meets the GOV.UK expectation that responsible persons review and update arrangements based on changing risks.

Conclusion and next steps

Electrical fire risk rises during peak operational hours, but it can be controlled through disciplined assessment, targeted operational rules, and appropriate technical protections. Start by updating your fire risk assessment to reflect busy-period scenarios, then prioritise high-impact measures such as installing protective devices, scheduling PAT and fixed wiring inspections, and creating clear charging and appliance policies.

Train staff, run realistic drills and keep thorough records to show you have managed the risk.

If you need practical support, arrange a fire risk assessment or combined PAT and safety audit with Total Safe to identify the highest priority actions tailored to your premises. For authoritative technical and legal guidance, refer to the HSE guidance on electrical work and the GOV.UK fire safety risk assessment guidance.

FAQ

What immediate actions should I take if I suspect an overloaded circuit during a busy shift?

Isolate the affected circuit if it is safe to do so and inform a qualified electrician. Move non-essential equipment to other circuits and remove any extension leads being used. Record the incident and arrange an urgent inspection. For guidance on testing and maintenance, see Total Safe’s PAT testing overview.

How often should PAT testing and fixed wiring inspections be carried out?

Frequency depends on equipment type and use. High-use or harsh-environment appliances need more frequent PAT checks; fixed wiring inspections are typically every 5 years for commercial premises, but this can vary by risk and use. Use a competent electrician to advise and issue a formal report. See HSE guidance for practical detail.

Can I allow staff to charge e-bikes or scooters on site?

If you permit charging, provide a dedicated, supervised charging area away from escape routes and combustibles. Use genuine chargers, enforce safe charging behaviours and remove damaged batteries. The NFCC recommends strict controls because of documented fire risks associated with poorly manufactured batteries.

Who is the ‘responsible person’ for electrical fire safety in a multi-occupancy building?

Responsibility lies with employers or anyone who has control of premises. In multi-occupancy buildings, all parties with control should co-operate and coordinate fire safety measures, as described in the GOV.UK fire safety guidance.

If you would like Total Safe to review your busy-period risks and produce a practical action plan, request a site assessment or learn more about our services and compliance packages. Read about PAT testing and portable appliance safety.