How can I identify and manage fire risks associated with temporary installations in my Essex business?
Introduction
Fire risks associated with temporary installations in my Essex business are often overlooked, and in this guide you will learn how to identify, assess and manage them so your premises stay safe and compliant. This article explains legal duties, common hazards, practical assessment steps, control measures and record keeping. You will also find clear next steps and where to get professional help.
Why temporary installations need careful fire-risk attention
Temporary installations change a building’s risk profile quickly. A supplier might erect a marquee, a contractor could run temporary power, or a refurbishment team may install a temporary stair. Each activity can introduce new ignition sources, combustible materials and altered escape routes. As the responsible person you must spot these changes and reassess the risk.
GOV.UK sets out that the responsible person must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and review it whenever circumstances change.
In Essex, local fire and rescue services expect duty holders to treat temporary works like any other hazard. The Health and Safety Executive records that the erection and dismantling of larger temporary demountable structures can fall under HSE oversight and needs competent management. HSE
Common temporary installations and the specific risks they bring
Identify which types of temporary works you host. Typical examples include marquees and tents, temporary stages and gantries, scaffold-built platforms, temporary partitioning, heating and catering rigs, temporary electrical distribution, and temporary storage of combustible goods. Each type brings a short list of likely hazards.
Temporary electrical installations can produce overloads, faulty joints and exposed wiring. These faults are a common cause of fires at events and on sites. Ensure installations are designed and tested by a competent electrician. HSE guidance on entertainment and leisure
Temporary heating or gas appliances raise the risk of ignition and carbon monoxide exposure. Store LPG correctly and use appropriate guards and separation distances.
Fabric structures and furnishings often use combustible materials. Standards and the NFCC guidance set recommended spacing and detection controls for tents and semi‑permanent sleeping accommodation.
Temporary storage and waste build-up create fuel sources. Poor housekeeping quickly turns low risk into high risk.
Identifying fire risks associated with temporary installations in my Essex business
Start by walking the site when temporary works are in place. Document what has changed, who is on site and how people will move around the area. Use simple checklists that cover ignition sources, fuels and people at risk. Follow the five-step approach promoted by government guidance: identify hazards, identify people at risk, evaluate and reduce risks, record findings and prepare an emergency plan, then review. GOV.UK
Look for these red flags during your inspection. New or altered escape routes that are narrower, blocked or routed through higher-risk areas. Temporary wiring or power distribution boards located where they can be damaged by foot traffic or vehicles. Open flames or hot works without permits or proper exclusion zones. Materials stored close to temporary heating, lighting or power supplies.
Record photos and mark up a simple plan. Clear documentation makes it easier to explain decisions to contractors, insurers or an inspecting fire officer.
Practical steps to assess and prioritise temporary‑installation risks
Assess risks proportionately and prioritise the highest threats first. Use this practical sequence.
Map the installation and people flow. Note where temporary structures sit relative to permanent fire exits.
List ignition sources within and near the installation such as generators, heaters, cooking equipment and welding.
Identify combustible fuels and how they are stored.
Decide who would be at risk including staff, contractors, visitors and residents nearby.
Apply controls to remove or reduce risk and set timescales for action.
If the activity is complex or likely to stay for more than a short period, commission a formal temporary works or event fire risk assessment from a competent assessor. The NFCC provides templates and checklists for temporary structures and events which can help structure that work.
Control measures that reduce fire risks from temporary works
Implement a layered approach: prevention, detection and protection.
Prevention — Specify only flame‑retardant materials for fabrics and finishes. Ban naked flames inside fabric structures unless an approved control plan is in place. Ensure permits and method statements are in place for hot works. Enforce safe storage and waste removal routines.
Detection — Fit temporary detection or connect the structure to an existing alarm system where needed. For overnight occupancy or sleeping accommodation, use automatic detection suitable for the materials and layout. The NFCC guidance covers detection expectations for tents and semi‑permanent structures.
Protection — Position appropriate portable firefighting equipment and ensure staff know how to use it. Provide means of summoning help quickly and ensure the fire service can access the site. Use temporary compartmentation where a temporary opening would remove a fire resisting barrier.
Electricity and temporary power — Apply BS 7909 principles for temporary entertainment and event power when relevant. Use residual current devices and professional distribution boards. Test temporary systems before use and re‑test after assembly. BS 7909 guidance
Working with contractors and suppliers to keep control
Assign a single site contact to manage temporary installations. That person should check competence certificates, method statements and insurance. Require contractors to provide a clear temporary works plan and to brief their staff on the site’s fire arrangements.
Hold a short pre‑start safety briefing before any temporary structure goes up. Use permits for hot works and control measures for LPG and cooking equipment. Also, insist that contractors remove waste daily and store materials safely overnight.
Where multiple duty holders operate in the same space, coordinate responsibilities in writing. If a third party installs the structure, clarify who will maintain detection, who will test electrical systems and who is responsible for records.
Recording decisions and evidence of control
Keep a named responsible person for the temporary works and a dated record of the risk assessment. Note what was inspected, what controls were applied and who is responsible for each action. These records form part of your fire safety log and will be required evidence if the fire service inspects or if an incident occurs. GOV.UK explains what to record and when to review your assessment.
Make sure you keep copies of contractor method statements, test certificates for temporary electrical installs and any competence documentation. Store these centrally and make them available to operational staff.
When to ask for specialist help or contact the fire service
Call in specialist advice if the temporary installation contains sleeping accommodation or large public gatherings, changes the means of escape for others, uses unfamiliar fuels or large quantities of LPG, or involves hazardous processes. Also seek help if the installation is complex structurally or remains in place for many weeks.
The NFCC offers event safety templates and temporary structures checklists that can guide professional assessments. For technical electrical or structural questions, engage a competent engineer or an accredited fire risk assessor.
If you discover an immediate danger, such as an exposed live cable sparking, take action to isolate the risk and call the emergency services. If in doubt about enforcement lines or responsibilities between contractors and the site owner, the HSE event safety FAQ explains which authorities enforce different aspects of temporary works.
How Total Safe can help
If you need expert support, Total Safe provides fire risk assessments, temporary works checks and on‑site testing. We can produce a clear action plan and help you manage contractor compliance. For service details and the range of fire safety support we offer, see our Total Safe fire safety services
To arrange a site visit or discuss a specific temporary installation, please Contact Total Safe — our local team covers Essex and the South East.
Conclusion and recommended next steps
Temporary installations create specific fire risks that you must identify and manage. Start with a focused inspection, document the hazards, apply proportionate prevention, detection and protection measures, and record your decisions. Coordinate closely with contractors and make sure temporary electrical and gas systems are installed by competent people.
Use the NFCC and HSE resources for event and temporary‑structure guidance, and follow GOV.UK advice on when to carry out a formal fire risk assessment.
If you need help prioritising actions or would like a Total Safe assessor to visit your Essex site, contact us for a tailored inspection and report. Acting promptly will reduce the chance of an incident and will protect staff, customers and your business.
FAQ
Q: Who is responsible for fire safety when a temporary installation is on site?
A: The responsible person for the premises remains responsible. If contractors control the temporary installation, responsibilities should be agreed in writing and reflected in risk assessments. GOV.UK explains legal responsibilities in detail.
Q: Do temporary tents and marquees need smoke detectors?
A: It depends on use and occupancy. For overnight sleeping or large gatherings, automatic detection is often required. Follow NFCC guidance for tented and semi‑permanent sleeping accommodation.
Q: How should temporary electrical installations be tested?
A: Temporary systems should be designed and tested by a competent electrician, use RCD protection and be inspected after assembly and before use. BS 7909 offers best‑practice for entertainment and event power. BS 7909 guidance
Q: How often must I review a risk assessment for temporary works?
A: Review whenever circumstances change, such as new installations, changes in occupancy or after any near miss. A formal review should also be scheduled at suitable intervals while the temporary works remain. GOV.UK
Q: Where can I find checklists and templates for event safety and temporary structures?
A: The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) provides event safety templates and temporary‑structure checklists widely used by organisers and safety professionals.
