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How to Implement Effective Fire Safety Measures for London’s Food Delivery Services: Essential Strategies for Compliance and Protection in 2025

Fire safety measures for London food delivery services are a priority for kitchens, delivery operators and property managers; in this guide you will learn practical steps to reduce risk, meet legal duties and protect people and premises in 2025. This article explains legal responsibilities, specific hazards that affect dark kitchens and delivery riders, recommended equipment and maintenance, and clear actions you can take today to remain compliant and reduce insurance risk.

 

Why fire safety matters for London’s food delivery ecosystem

London’s food delivery sector combines high volumes, hot cooking processes and an increasing number of electrically assisted bikes. All of these raise the chance of fire incidents. If you manage a premises, you must follow the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and recent related guidance. Responsible Persons must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and record arrangements where required. For an official summary of duties, refer to government guidance on fire safety law. Fire safety guidance for those with legal duties.

Several contemporary risks make targeted controls essential. First, commercial cooking generates heat and grease, which accelerate fire growth if extraction and cleaning are neglected. Second, lithium-ion batteries used by many couriers present a growing hazard when charged or stored incorrectly. London Fire Brigade repeatedly highlights battery-related fires and offers specific advice for users. London Fire Brigade guidance on e-bike and e-scooter fires. Finally, standards and codes have been updated in 2025, notably BS 5839 for detection and alarms, so technical systems should be reviewed against the latest editions. BS 5839 fire detection and alarm systems.

 

Key steps to assess fire safety measures for London food delivery services

Start with a focused fire risk assessment that considers both the kitchen and the delivery operation. A comprehensive assessment should evaluate cooking equipment, extraction systems, fuel or gas supplies, storage of flammable materials and any battery charging or storage used by riders. If you do not have the capacity in‑house, consider engaging a specialist. Total Safe offers tailored assessments for businesses and can help identify where controls are needed; see our Fire Risk Assessment service for details.

Next, map the flow of goods and people. That includes delivery rider parking, bicycle and bag storage, routes that riders take through the building and any shared corridors. Blocking escape routes with parked bikes or battery packs is a common hazard. Designate and sign safe storage areas and ensure access to exits remains unobstructed at all times.

Finally, document and record everything. The Fire Safety Order requires relevant information to be available; records demonstrate due diligence to enforcing authorities and insurers. Create a log of risk assessments, maintenance visits and staff training. For support on alarms and systems, Total Safe’s fire alarm installation and maintenance services can ensure detection systems meet current best practice.

 

Control measures for commercial kitchens and dark kitchens

Maintain extraction and grease management. Grease build-up in hoods and ducts increases the likelihood of intense fires. Implement scheduled cleaning, and log dates and contractors for transparency. Use competent contractors who understand commercial kitchen standards.

Fit suitable suppression and extinguishing systems. Kitchen fire suppression systems can detect and suppress a fire in cooking appliances before it spreads. They are particularly important where deep-fat frying, high-temperature cooking or multiple simultaneous service lines are used. For bespoke design and maintenance, consult specialist providers who can tailor systems to your layout. Total Safe installs and maintains kitchen suppression systems that meet industry expectations.

Ensure equipment is serviced regularly. Gas appliances, fryers and oil systems need planned maintenance. Faulty thermostats, worn seals and blocked burners all increase fire risk. Where fuel or gas is present, follow HSE guidance and ensure engineers are Gas Safe registered.

Control cleaning and waste. Store combustible packaging and waste away from heat sources. Empty bins regularly and use metal containers for oily waste where possible. A small, persistent spark in a poorly managed waste area can escalate quickly.

 

Managing lithium battery risk for delivery riders

Lithium-ion battery fires have become a major issue across London and beyond. Government campaigns and statutory guidance highlight the hazard of unsafe batteries and incompatible chargers. The Department for Business & Trade’s Buy Safe, Be Safe campaign and related OPSS guidance address e-bike battery safety; follow those messages when setting policy for rider storage or charging. Buy Safe, Be Safe campaign on e-bike safety.

Do not allow charging inside kitchens or on escape routes. Wherever possible, require riders to keep batteries outside the building, in well-ventilated, non-combustible storage. If you permit charging on site, implement strict controls: designated charging points with signage, approved chargers only, a maximum number of devices per circuit and routine checks for overheating or physical damage.

Train staff and riders to recognise battery faults. If a battery becomes hot, swollen, emits smoke or changes shape, isolate it and call the fire and rescue service. Keep fire blankets and appropriate extinguishers accessible; water alone is not always effective for lithium fires, so specialist advice matters.

 

Operational policies for food delivery businesses

Embed fire safety into supplier and rider contracts. Require couriers to use safe, compliant equipment and to follow on-site rules for storage, charging and parking. Make these obligations part of onboarding.

Limit storage of combustible delivery bags and spare packaging. Keep a tidy storage policy and enforce regular housekeeping checks. Implement clear, visible signage to remind users not to block escape routes or stairwells.

Manage peak-time risks. During busy periods, kitchens operate at higher capacity and staff may be distracted. Increase supervision during peak shifts and adjust staff rotas so experienced operators cover high-risk periods. Run short pre-shift briefings that cover fire hazards and escape routes.

 

Alarm systems, detection and maintenance in 2025

Review alarm and detection systems against current standards. BS 5839 has been revised in 2025; it contains updated guidance on system design, maintenance and modifications. Ensure your system’s zoning, call points and detector selection suit a mixed-use building or a kitchen environment where false alarms can be common. Consider upgraded detectors where needed to reduce nuisance alarms while preserving early warning.

Keep maintenance records and service plans. The standard and Fire Safety Order both expect regular checks and documented maintenance. Use competent, certificated contractors for installation and servicing. If you need a review or upgrade, Total Safe provides installation and maintenance services tailored to commercial premises.

 

Training, drills and emergency response

Train staff and riders in simple, practical actions. Everyone should know how to raise the alarm, where the nearest exits are and how to use basic firefighting equipment safely. Focus training on recognising early signs of grease or battery fires and on safe evacuation procedures.

Carry out realistic drills. Test evacuation routes and assembly points at least annually, or more often if your operation changes. Record outcomes and fix any procedural weaknesses promptly. For buildings with shared occupancy, coordinate drills with neighbouring tenants and the building manager.

Prepare an emergency plan that covers delivery-specific issues. The plan should identify who will secure hot food, who will manage rider belongings and who will liaise with emergency services. Clear roles speed decision-making during an incident.

 

Insurance, regulatory checks and continuous improvement

Notify your insurer about delivery activity and any on-site charging facilities. Insurers expect proactive risk management and may require specific mitigation measures for battery charging or dark kitchens. Failure to disclose material risk can jeopardise cover.

Keep up with regulatory change. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations and Building Safety Act amendments continue to refine responsibilities; monitor GOV.UK updates and industry guidance. Where changes affect detection standards or recording duties, update your policies promptly. For official legal guidance and regulatory updates, consult the government collection for fire safety law. Fire safety law and guidance.

Adopt a continuous improvement approach. Schedule regular reviews, use incident reports to refine controls and engage a competent fire safety consultant where complexity or risk increases. Total Safe can support ongoing compliance through surveys, installation and maintenance contracts.

 

Next steps: a quick checklist for 2025

Arrange a focused fire risk assessment covering kitchen processes and rider battery storage.

Inspect and service extraction systems and kitchen suppression equipment.

Implement a battery policy: no charging on escape routes, designated charging areas, approved chargers only.

Review alarm systems and confirm compliance with BS 5839:2025 recommendations.

Train staff and riders on battery hazards, evacuation and reporting procedures.

Keep detailed records of risk assessments, maintenance and training for enforcement and insurers.

If you want practical help to complete any of these tasks, Total Safe can provide site assessments, kitchen suppression installation and fire alarm services. See our kitchen suppression and alarm pages for more information on tailored solutions.

 

Fire safety measures for London food delivery services must combine technical controls, clear policies and active management. Prioritise a written risk assessment, robust kitchen suppression and extraction, and strict controls on lithium battery charging and storage. Train staff and riders, maintain alarms to the latest standards and keep records to demonstrate compliance. Acting now reduces the chance of fire, limits damage and protects reputation.

For a site review or to discuss an implementation plan, contact Total Safe to arrange a consultation. Our team can help you meet regulatory expectations and adapt systems to the 2025 standards.

 

FAQ

Who is the Responsible Person for delivery kitchens and dark kitchens?

The Responsible Person is usually the employer or premises controller. They must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is completed and that measures are in place to protect employees, delivery riders and visitors. See government guidance for full duties. Guide for persons with duties under fire safety laws.

Can delivery riders charge e-bike batteries on site?

Only if you have a strict, risk‑assessed charging policy and a dedicated, ventilated charging area away from escape routes. Preferably batteries should be charged offsite or in secure external storage. Follow OPSS and London Fire Brigade advice when setting your policy.

What kind of fire suppression is best for a commercial kitchen used for delivery orders?

A hood‑mounted kitchen fire suppression system that automatically detects and suppresses cooking fires is standard for commercial kitchens. Systems must be designed for the layout and fuel type; regular maintenance is essential to ensure performance.

How often should fire alarms and detection be serviced?

Service intervals depend on system type, but regular checks and documented maintenance are required. With the 2025 revision to BS 5839, ensure your servicing meets current recommendations and that any extensions or modifications comply with the new guidance.

Who can help implement these measures?

Competent fire safety providers can perform risk assessments, design and install suppression systems, and maintain alarms. Total Safe offers assessment, installation and maintenance services across the South East and London to support compliance and operational safety.