How can I ensure my workplace is prepared for the unique fire risks associated with remote working? — fire safety for remote working
Introduction
Fire safety for remote working is essential for employers, facilities teams and compliance officers who must manage risks when staff work away from a central office. In this guide you will learn how to identify the unique hazards of remote work, meet legal responsibilities, put simple controls in place, and support employees with practical, proportionate measures that reduce the chance of a domestic fire becoming a serious incident.
Why fire safety for remote working matters now
Many organisations have adopted hybrid or full-time remote working. This changes where work happens and how risks present themselves. Electrical loads shift into domestic circuits, portable heaters and cooking may be used more during the day, and lone working increases the potential consequences when something goes wrong. Employers still have duties under health and safety law, so a considered approach is needed to protect people and limit liability. Evidence and guidance used by UK employers makes this clear. hse.gov.uk
Start with a focused risk assessment
The most important step for fire safety for remote working is to extend your risk assessment processes to cover home-based work. You do not usually need to visit every home, but you must ensure a suitable and sufficient assessment covers the hazards created by work activities done at home. Practical options include self-assessment questionnaires, DSE checks that include wiring and plug arrangements, and targeted visits where a worker has additional needs. Use these measures to identify where further action is needed and to decide when to provide equipment or alternative work arrangements. hse.gov.uk
Key items to check in the assessment
Which electrical items the employee uses for work and whether these were provided by the employer.
Location and condition of sockets, extension leads and chargers.
Proximity of heat sources, storage of combustible materials, and any household activities that add risk while someone is working.
Smoke alarm provision, testing and battery replacement.
Lone working or health conditions that increase personal risk and require extra controls.
Practical controls for everyday hazards
Controls for fire safety for remote working should be proportionate and easy to follow. They will reduce the most common causes of domestic fires and protect remote workers without being intrusive.
Electrical safety
Employer-provided equipment: Supply employer-provided laptops and chargers that meet safety standards and instruct staff to use those devices rather than uncertified third-party chargers.
Avoid daisy-chaining: Advise against daisy-chaining extension leads and warn of the dangers of overloading sockets.
Visual checks and PAT testing: Ask workers to visually check leads, plugs and sockets for damage and to report faults promptly. For higher-risk roles consider PAT testing of employer-supplied equipment.
Cooking and heating
Cooking risks: Remind remote staff that cooking remains the single largest cause of home fires. Encourage practical plans such as not leaving pans unattended.
Portable heaters: Where staff need to use portable heaters, advise on correct siting and choose appliances with thermostats and tip-over protection. Consider asking staff to switch heaters off during long video calls or to use building heating where possible.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Alarm provision: Ensure staff have working smoke alarms on every floor and recommend ten-year sealed battery alarms where replacement is difficult. Also advise on CO alarm needs where gas appliances or solid fuel heating are used. Government guidance sets clear expectations for domestic alarms. gov.uk
Safe charging and storage
Charging safety: Advise staff never to leave phones or laptops charging on soft surfaces such as sofas or beds, and to avoid charging overnight where possible.
Storage: Recommend safe storage for flammable materials and a tidy work area to reduce the chance of ignition from a stray hot surface or an electrical fault.
Policies, training and communication
Clear, written policies make expectations obvious and help managers support their teams. A home working fire-safety addendum to your health and safety policy should explain responsibilities, reporting procedures and what support the employer will provide.
What to include
Home-working checklist: A short home-working fire-safety checklist that staff complete before starting remote work.
Reporting procedure: How to report faults or incidents; for example, whom to contact and the timeframe for reporting.
Equipment details: Details of equipment the employer will provide and how maintenance or replacements are handled.
Rules: Rules on charging, portable heaters, and safe use of kitchen facilities during work hours.
Training and awareness
Short focused training: Provide short, focused training on home fire hazards and emergency procedures. This can be incorporated into mandatory fire safety induction and regular refresher training.
Use of communications: Use video calls and intranet resources to share reminders about bedtime checks and testing smoke alarms. For teams with higher risk profiles, run small workshops on safe charging and how to respond to a fire at home.
Where training helps further
Lone-worker training: Offer lone-worker training and emergency contact protocols for staff who work alone, including procedures when a worker cannot be contacted.
Manager awareness: Consider basic fire safety awareness for line managers so they can recognise hazards when discussing home working arrangements. HSE guidance highlights that employers must ensure home workers have adequate emergency procedures and know how to report incidents. hse.gov.uk
Supporting vulnerable staff and bespoke measures
Some people will need extra help to work safely from home. This includes workers with reduced mobility, sensory impairments, cognitive conditions, or complex medical needs.
Reasonable adjustments
Workspace review: Where necessary, arrange a workplace visit or request photographs of the workspace so assessments are accurate without invading privacy.
Specialist equipment: Supply specialist equipment such as audible and visual alarms or equipment with safer power designs.
Alternatives: For those who cannot safely work from home consider offering office access, co-working spaces, or adjusted duties.
Working alone and welfare
Regular check-ins: Implement regular check-ins for lone workers and use buddy systems or technology-based lone-worker monitoring where appropriate.
Emergency planning: Keep emergency contact details and a plan for escalation if an employee becomes unreachable during their shift.
Record-keeping, incident reporting and legal duties
Good records prove that you have taken reasonable steps to protect staff and can help with insurance and RIDDOR reporting when incidents occur.
What to record
Assessment records: Completed self-assessment forms, advice issued to staff, and any equipment provided.
Training and communications: Training attendance and dates of communications about home fire safety.
Incident details: Any home-based incidents that arise from work activities or employer-supplied equipment. If an incident is work-related and meets the RIDDOR reporting criteria, you must report it. HSE guidance explains how RIDDOR applies to home workers. hse.gov.uk
Review and update
Periodic review: Review remote-working risk assessments periodically and after any change in work patterns.
Update guidance: Update guidance when national recommendations change, for example on domestic alarm regulations or new standards.
Practical checklist you can issue to staff
Provide a short checklist that staff can use weekly. It should be simple, actionable and quick to complete.
Sample checklist items
Smoke alarms: test weekly; replace batteries or alarms as required.
Electricals: no damaged leads; don’t overload sockets; use employer equipment where supplied.
Charging: place devices on hard surfaces and avoid charging on sofas or beds.
Heating: keep portable heaters away from combustibles and turn off when unattended.
Escape: ensure at least one clear exit route from the work area and know the household fire plan.
Reporting: report faults or near-misses to your line manager within 24 hours.
How property managers and compliance teams can help
If you manage multiple properties or oversee a portfolio, taking a co-ordinated approach to fire safety for remote working will pay dividends.
Guidance for property teams
Share building-level information: Share landlord or building-level safety information with tenants who work remotely, for example the location of communal fire equipment and escape routes.
Encourage checks: Encourage tenants and leaseholders to complete a Home Fire Safety Check or to contact their local fire and rescue service for tailored advice. Many services and the NFCC provide tools and campaigns to support home safety. nfcc.org.uk
Align assessments: Align your building-level risk assessments with guidance for domestic fire alarm standards where relevant, including recommendations captured in national standards and approved documents. specifiedby.com
When to get specialist help
Some situations require input from fire safety professionals. Contact Total Safe for tailored assessments when you need an expert review of how remote working affects your duty of care.
Examples of when to commission specialist advice
Complex residential accommodation: Significant numbers of employees working from flats or complex residential accommodation.
High-risk activities: High-risk activities being carried out at home that use tools, chemicals or heat.
Recurrent incidents: Recurrent incidents or near-misses linked to employer-provided equipment.
Total Safe can advise on risk assessments, policy wording and training to create a compliant, proportionate approach to remote-work fire safety. See our guidance on how targeted fire safety audits can help control risk and even reduce insurance exposure. How fire safety audits can lower business insurance costs. For training and practical courses, you can book tailored sessions with our trainers. Book a Total Safe course. totalsafeuk.com
Conclusion — taking sensible steps now
Fire safety for remote working is mainly about recognising where work changes the home environment and taking proportionate, employer-led steps to control risk. Start with a focused risk assessment, issue clear policies and easy checklists, and support vulnerable staff with reasonable adjustments. Keep records and report incidents appropriately, and involve specialists where complexity or uncertainty exists. By doing this you will protect staff, meet your legal duties, and reduce the chance of preventable incidents.
If you need immediate help to tailor a remote-working fire safety plan for your organisation contact Total Safe via our contact page for a prompt response. Contact Total Safe. totalsafeuk.com
FAQ
Q: Who is responsible for fire safety when staff work from home?
A: Employers retain the same responsibilities for health and safety when staff work from home; reasonable and proportionate measures are expected, including risk assessments and guidance for employees. hse.gov.uk
Q: Do remote workers need smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms?
A: Yes. Remote workers should have a working smoke alarm on every floor and CO alarms where there are fuel-burning appliances. Employers should advise staff to test alarms regularly. gov.uk
Q: Must employers visit an employee’s home to assess fire risk?
A: Not normally. Employers can use self-assessment tools, photographs or remote checks; visits are only needed where specific concerns or additional needs make them necessary. hse.gov.uk
Q: How should I record and report a fire-related incident that happens while someone is working at home?
A: Keep records of the incident, any equipment involved and actions taken. If the incident meets RIDDOR criteria and is work-related, it must be reported to HSE. Guidance on reporting is available from HSE. hse.gov.uk
Q: Where can I find trusted, UK-specific advice about home fire safety?
A: Authoritative sources include the Health and Safety Executive for employer duties and GOV.UK guidance on domestic fire safety, together with NFCC public guidance and campaigns. hse.gov.uk
