Hidden fire hazards in the workplace are often overlooked, and in this guide you will learn how to spot them, assess the risk and take practical steps to reduce the danger. This article explains what to look for, how to carry out a systematic check, when to call a competent assessor and the immediate actions most premises should take to improve safety. Suggested URL slug: hidden-fire-hazards-in-the-workplace

Why hidden fire hazards in the workplace matter

Hidden fire hazards matter because they increase the chance of a fire starting and make fires harder to control. The law places duties on the responsible person to identify and manage fire risks, and those duties apply to most non-domestic premises. You must carry out and keep under review a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and act on its findings. For authoritative legal guidance see GOV.UK.

Failing to spot hidden hazards can lead to operational disruption, injury and legal enforcement. Therefore, proactive checks make good business sense as well as meeting statutory duties. The HSE and other authorities expect employers and duty-holders to take reasonable, practical steps to prevent fires and protect people.

“Proactive identification and timely action reduce risk, limit disruption and help meet regulatory duties.”

Where hidden fire hazards usually hide

Electrical systems and wiring: Faulty or overloaded sockets, loose wires behind cupboards and badly installed extensions can spark fires. Inspect all fixed and portable electrical equipment and keep records of PAT testing and electrical maintenance.

Storage areas: Combustible materials stored near heaters, boilers or in escape routes can feed a fire quickly. Cardboard, packaging and stock stacked against walls or ceilings create unseen fuel loads.

Plant rooms, boiler cupboards and service voids: These spaces contain pipework, cables and equipment that can overheat and may lack adequate ventilation or fire detection.

Battery-powered devices and charging stations: Mobile devices, lithium batteries, e-bikes, electric tools and battery storage present a growing risk if charging is unsupervised or batteries are damaged.

Kitchens and canteens: Grease build-up, faulty extraction equipment and unattended cooking all raise the likelihood of a fire.

Rubbish disposal points and external bins: These can harbour smouldering materials or be an arson risk. Manage waste and separate it from buildings where possible.

How to plan a systematic search for hidden hazards

Start with a clear scope. Decide which areas you will inspect: offices, storerooms, plant rooms, basements, roofs and external storage. Use a simple plan or map so you do not miss seldom-used areas.

Walk the premises with a checklist. For each zone, note ignition sources, combustible materials, people at risk and the condition of fire protection measures such as detectors and notices. Involve staff who know the building well; they often know where things are hidden. Use a log to capture findings so they can be tracked and closed out.

Inspect at different times of day. Some hazards appear only after hours, for example overnight charging, contractors’ tools left plugged in or waste accumulation after closing. Checking at peak and off-peak times increases the chance of finding hidden issues.

Record maintenance history. Review service and inspection records for electrical installations, fire alarms, fire extinguishers and emergency lighting. Gaps in scheduled maintenance often point to hidden problems.

Treat unusual smells or signs of overheating seriously. Discoloured wiring, scorch marks and tripped breakers are immediate red flags and require urgent action.

Tools and techniques to reveal unseen risks

Thermal imaging: Detect overheating electrical panels, motors and cable runs without invasive work. Many surveyors now use handheld thermal cameras during inspections to find hotspots before they cause damage.

Portable appliance testing (PAT): PAT identifies faulty tools and equipment that could ignite. Ensure a competent person performs PAT testing and keeps a documented schedule.

Smoke and heat detection coverage: Check that detection zones, call points and alarm sounders cover plant rooms or cupboards unless specifically considered in the design. Regular functional tests and fire alarm maintenance help expose gaps.

Inspect compartmentation and fire-stopping: Hidden breaches in fire-resisting walls, floors or around service penetrations allow fire and smoke to travel unseen. Check service risers, ductwork and cable entries.

Investigative opening-up: Where practical, a small supervised opening in a ceiling void can confirm the presence of stored combustibles or defective services. If you lack experience, ask a specialist to carry out intrusive inspections safely.

Practical examples: recognising real hidden hazards

Example 1: An office stored archive boxes above suspended ceilings. Staff assumed the ceiling void was empty; old electrical splices and a motorised damper with frayed wiring were nearby. Thermal imaging and a visual inspection revealed the risk.

Example 2: A small manufacturing site kept solvent rags in an unlocked storeroom beside the boiler. Over time the rags became contaminated and spontaneously ignited. Moving the rags into a sealed metal container reduced the hazard.

Example 3: A block of flats had battery chargers for residents’ mobility scooters stored in a communal cupboard. Poor ventilation and mixed charging types increased the fire risk. Creating a dedicated, well-ventilated charging point removed the immediate hazard.

These scenarios show how hidden fire hazards often form from normal activities combined with overlooked storage, poor ventilation or ageing equipment.

When to appoint a competent fire risk assessor

If your premises are more complex than a small office, appoint a competent fire risk assessor to ensure the assessment is suitable and sufficient. Competence involves training, experience and the right approach for your building type. Guidance is available from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

Total Safe fire risk assessment services can provide professional fire risk assessments tailored to your premises and identify hidden fire hazards you may miss. For more detail see totalsafeuk.com.

Immediate actions to reduce hidden fire risks

Remove clutter from escape routes. Even temporary storage can make escape difficult and hide ignition sources.

Create safe charging policies. Prohibit overnight or unsupervised charging of batteries in general areas. Provide designated charging points with appropriate ventilation and monitoring.

Secure plant rooms and cupboards. Limit access to trained staff and ensure doors are clearly signed and alarmed if needed.

Improve waste management. Keep external bins away from the building and empty them frequently. Avoid storing combustible waste inside.

Schedule tests and servicing. Ensure the fire alarm, emergency lighting, extinguishers and electrical systems follow recommended inspection frequencies and that records are kept. Regular maintenance makes hidden problems obvious.

Train staff to spot hazards. Simple reporting routes and regular briefings encourage employees to report overheating smells, damaged cables or blocked exits.

Engage specialist contractors where required. Use accredited electricians for electrical work and BAFE-registered companies for fire equipment maintenance. For support and remedial work see Total Safe fire safety services and totalsafeuk.com.

Checklist: a quick walk-round for hidden fire hazards

Check behind and under furniture for loose wiring and chargers.

Inspect ceiling voids and cupboards for stored materials and service cables.

Verify electrical sockets and extension leads are not overloaded.

Check plant rooms for correct ventilation and service records.

Walk exterior perimeters and bin stores for smouldering waste or arson risk.

Confirm battery storage and charging follows a safe policy.

Ensure escape routes are free, well-lit and clearly signed.

Review maintenance logs for missed inspections or overdue service items.

Use this checklist monthly and log the findings. If you find a significant hazard, act immediately and consider a professional assessment.

How external guidance can help

Official guidance explains the legal framework and provides practical checklists to help duty-holders meet their obligations. See GOV.UK for collections of fire safety guidance and resources on carrying out fire risk assessments.

The HSE provides further practical advice, particularly where specific work processes or hazardous substances are involved.

Conclusion and next steps

Hidden fire hazards often result from everyday practices, unseen storage and ageing equipment. Reduce risk by carrying out systematic inspections, using tools such as thermal imaging and PAT testing, and keeping accurate maintenance records. Where premises are complex, appoint a competent fire risk assessor to ensure your assessment is suitable and sufficient. For guidance see the NFCC.

If you are unsure where to start, arrange a professional fire risk assessment and a site survey. Total Safe fire risk assessment services can help with assessments, remedial work and ongoing maintenance to keep your premises compliant and safe. For legal and technical guidance consult GOV.UK and the HSE.