How to Effectively Manage Fire Safety for Your Corringham Cafe: Essential Compliance Strategies for 2025

Who has legal responsibility and what that means

As the business owner or operator you are usually the Responsible Person under fire safety law. You must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and put reasonable precautions in place. You should record the findings and name who carried out or reviewed the assessment. This duty is not optional and applies regardless of café size. For the statutory guidance see GOV.UK and the relevant regulations at legislation.gov.uk.

In practice this means assessing hazards, identifying people at risk, and taking steps to remove or reduce those risks. You also need a written emergency plan, training records and documented maintenance of fire systems. Local fire and rescue services can advise, but they will not carry out your assessment for you. See further guidance on the GOV.UK pages.

Fire safety for your Corringham cafe: a step-by-step risk assessment

Start with a simple, structured process. Firstly, identify ignition sources such as cooking appliances, portable heaters and electrical equipment. Next, list combustible materials including cleaning supplies, packaging and any decorative items. Then, consider who might be at risk: staff, customers, delivery drivers and contractors. Finally, decide what controls you need and how you will record them.

Use the GOV.UK small and medium places of assembly guidance when you carry out your FRA. It contains checklists tailored to shops, cafés and other hospitality venues and helps you focus on common hazards in public-facing premises. For cafés, pay special attention to kitchen extraction, LPG or gas supplies and any temporary cooking when events are hosted.

Practical checks to include in every FRA for a café:

Location and access to escape routes and doors.

Fire detection and alarm coverage in kitchen, dining and staff areas.

Emergency lighting and signage.

Fire extinguishers appropriate to likely fires (wet chemical for deep-fat fryers, CO2 for electrical).

Safe storage for flammable liquids and gas cylinders.

Housekeeping routines to prevent grease build-up in extract systems.

Record each finding clearly and note who is responsible for remedial actions and by when. The Building Safety Act changes mean you must keep records of FRA findings and of the competent person who undertook or reviewed the assessment. Ensure your documentation meets this requirement. See London Fire and legislation.gov.uk for more detail.

Kitchen and extraction: the highest-risk zone

Kitchens present the greatest fire risk in a café. Grease, high temperatures and complex equipment combine to create a real hazard. Therefore, control measures must be robust and verified regularly.

Ensure extractor hoods and ductwork receive professional cleaning on a planned schedule. Grease accumulation can allow a small ignition to spread rapidly. Additionally, fit and maintain suitable suppression for deep-fat frying where required. In some premises a fixed suppression system or automatic cut-off for fuel supplies is appropriate. Seek specialist advice to determine if your kitchen needs an automatic system. See GOV.UK.

Fit alarms and detectors that are appropriate for kitchen environments. Modern guidance and standards recommend carefully selected detector types and placement to reduce false alarms while ensuring timely detection. Recent updates to BS 5839-1 (2025) emphasise fitting systems that are designed, installed and maintained to current codes of practice. If you upgrade or alter your alarm, work with a competent installer who follows the revised standard. See BSI and the BSI knowledge guide for guidance.

Practical action to take in the kitchen:

Schedule extractor cleaning with a qualified contractor.

Use deep-fat fryer suppression or safe operational controls.

Keep spill and waste management procedures tight to reduce fuel for fires.

Test kitchen shut-offs and isolation switches monthly as part of routine checks.

Detection, alarms and maintenance

A reliable detection and alarm system saves lives and supports insurance and enforcement outcomes. You must provide a fire detection and warning system proportionate to the premises and the risks identified in your FRA. Standard guidance explains what to include and how to maintain systems. See GOV.UK and the BSI BS 5839 series.

Total Safe offers fire alarm installation and maintenance services that follow BS 5839 guidance and provide documented servicing. Regular testing and a written maintenance schedule will ensure systems remain effective. For specialist alarm support, consider professional installation and annual servicing to maintain compliance and minimise faults. Find out about fire alarm installation and maintenance from Total Safe.

Keep records of tests and repairs. Log weekly sounder and call-point tests, monthly checks where required, and annual full system servicing by a competent contractor. Where automatic door releases, smoke control or linked systems are present, include these in your planned maintenance regime.

Staff training, drills and operational procedures

People make the difference between a minor incident and a major emergency. You must give all staff adequate fire safety training when they start and provide refresher training periodically. Training should match the risks identified; kitchen staff need practical training for grease fires and use of wet chemical extinguishers. See GOV.UK guidance.

Run regular drills and record the results. At least one drill per year is standard, though venues with higher risk or shift work may need more frequent practice. During drills, test evacuation timings, marshal duties and communication with emergency services. Also ensure first-aid and lone-worker arrangements are in place and that staff know how to co-operate with the fire and rescue service on arrival. See GOV.UK on evacuation plans.

Operational rules to adopt:

Keep escape routes and fire doors clear at all times.

Restrict storage under stairs or in escape corridors.

Limit the use of naked flames or candles; use battery lighting where possible.

Maintain a logbook of training dates, names and content.

Recordkeeping and evidence for inspections

Regulators now expect clear, written records. You must keep your FRA, evidence of maintenance, training records and any contractor certificates. The Government guidance explains what to record and why it helps both compliance and safety. Proper records also aid insurers and reduce liability risk. See GOV.UK and London Fire.

Total Safe can help by providing documented fire risk assessments and maintenance certificates that meet enforcement expectations. Use a robust folder or digital system so records are easily retrievable during an inspection or after an incident. Read Total Safe guidance on fire risk assessments.

Refurbishment, changes of use and contractor management

Any change in layout or use can alter escape routes and fire compartmentation. If you refurbish the café, you must re-assess fire risk and update the FRA. Extensions or new kitchen equipment may require changes to detection, suppression and emergency lighting. Most importantly, appoint competent contractors and check their competence and insurance. See legislation.gov.uk for the legal position.

Control works on site by requiring method statements and risk assessments from contractors, checking contractor qualifications for hot works and duct cleaning, isolating gas and electrical supplies when necessary, and inspecting completed fire-stopping and door works before reoccupation.

Preparing for inspection and enforcement

Local fire and rescue services carry out audits and investigations. If they inspect your café, present clear records and evidence of action taken to reduce risk. Demonstrating a proactive approach and a culture of safety often leads to remedial advice rather than enforcement. However, serious failings can result in prohibition notices, fines or prosecution. Keep your documentation and systems up to date to reduce this possibility. See GOV.UK.

If you receive a notice, act swiftly. Engage competent advisors and contractors to deliver the required works. Total Safe can assist with remedial plans and the documentation required to show compliance.

Practical checklist to implement this week

Review and record your current fire risk assessment and confirm who carried it out. See London Fire.

Inspect kitchen extraction and schedule cleaning if overdue.

Check fire extinguishers and arrange servicing if any are out of date.

Test at least one alarm call point and one sounder; record results.

Run a short staff briefing on evacuation routes and marshal roles.

Store all evidence and make the FRA available to staff and inspectors.

These steps create momentum, reduce risk quickly and show due diligence to inspectors and insurers.

Conclusion and recommended next steps

Managing fire safety for your Corringham cafe demands a clear approach and good records. Begin with a robust fire risk assessment, prioritise kitchen controls and ensure alarm systems meet the latest guidance. Train staff and keep accurate maintenance and training records. Where specialist work is needed, use competent contractors and document their competence.

If you would like support, Total Safe provides tailored fire risk assessments, alarm installation and maintenance, extinguisher servicing and training. Working with a specialist will give you documented evidence and practical plans to maintain compliance and protect your business.

Key next steps:

Update or complete your FRA within 30 days.

Book extractor cleaning and alarm service if overdue.

Schedule staff training and a full evacuation drill.

For recognised legal guidance visit the GOV.UK fire safety pages and the BSI updates.