Fire safety plan for home-based business: How can I create a fire safety plan for my home-based business?
Introduction
This guide explains, step by step, how to assess risk, write an emergency plan, meet legal duties and protect people and property when you run a business from home. You will learn who is legally responsible, how to complete a proportionate fire risk assessment, what to include in your written plan, and when to get professional help.
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Who must take responsibility and why a plan matters
If you run a business from your home, you are likely to be the responsible person for fire safety when the building, or parts of it, are used for trade or when you have employees, customers or visitors. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to assess risks, implement precautions and prepare an emergency plan for non-domestic premises. See GOV.UK.
A clear fire safety plan reduces the chance of ignition, helps people escape safely, and minimises business disruption. It also demonstrates that you take legal duties seriously; failing to plan can lead to enforcement action or fines. In short, a practical and regularly reviewed plan protects lives, your reputation and your livelihood. For enforcement information see GOV.UK.
Start with a simple fire risk assessment
The foundation of every effective fire safety plan is a fire risk assessment. You must identify what could start a fire, who might be at risk, and what measures will reduce those risks. GOV.UK sets out a five-step approach you can follow: identify hazards, identify people at risk, evaluate and remove or reduce risks, record findings and prepare an emergency plan, and review regularly. See GOV.UK for the full guidance.
Practical steps for a home-based business assessment
Walk through each room where business activity happens. Note sources of ignition such as chargers, kettles, cooking appliances, and any high-load electrical equipment.
Identify fuel sources. Consider paper, packaging, stock, upholstery and combustible waste.
Look for oxygen and smoke spread factors. Check heaters, ventilation and battery storage such as spare e-bike or tool batteries.
Consider who is at risk. Include employees, clients, delivery drivers and household members, including children or people with reduced mobility.
Record significant findings. If you have five or more employees, or if the premises are used by the public, keep written records. Further detail at GOV.UK.
If your business stores hazardous materials, uses specialist equipment, or hosts members of the public regularly, the assessment should be more detailed. In those cases, consider engaging a competent fire risk assessor to ensure compliance and thoroughness. See GOV.UK.
Decide what to include in your fire safety plan
A home-based business fire safety plan should be proportionate, practical and easy to follow. At a minimum, it should cover the following elements.
The name of the responsible person and contact details.
A short summary of the fire risk assessment findings.
Clear evacuation procedures, including escape routes and an external assembly point.
Means of raising the alarm and calling the emergency services.
Arrangements for persons with additional needs or disability.
Details of firefighting equipment and maintenance arrangements.
Training records and a schedule of drills and equipment checks.
Actions to reduce ignition risks, such as safe charging and storage procedures.
GOV.UK emphasises that the plan must include emergency arrangements and training for staff; review the plan when circumstances change, for example if you take on staff or alter the layout. See GOV.UK.
Practical measures to reduce risk at home
Start by making low-cost, high-impact changes that reduce ignition and slow fire spread.
Keep escape routes and doors clear of storage.
Fit and test smoke alarms on every floor used for work; replace batteries annually or use sealed long-life units.
Use RCD-protected sockets and avoid overloading extension leads; have high-use equipment PAT tested if appropriate.
Store flammable materials in sealed containers away from heat sources.
Create safe charging routines for lithium batteries: charge on non-combustible surfaces and never leave charging devices unattended overnight.
Establish a waste management routine to remove combustible rubbish promptly.
These steps lower the likelihood of ignition and limit the spread of fire. For targeted advice for businesses operating from home consult your local fire and rescue service, for example see London Fire Brigade guidance.
Alarm systems, detection and firefighting equipment
The scale of detection and firefighting equipment should match the risk. For sole traders and micro-businesses in a domestic environment, a well-sited mains or interlinked smoke alarm system may be sufficient. If you have staff, customers or valuable stock, a more robust fire detection system and portable extinguishers might be required. Guidance on reasonable precautions is available on GOV.UK.
If you install more advanced systems, ensure they are maintained and tested by competent suppliers. For professional support, see Total Safe for assessment and maintenance services.
Write and communicate your evacuation procedure
An evacuation procedure must be short, clear and well known to everyone who might be on site during business hours. Include the following points in a one-page plan that is easy to read and display.
How a fire is reported: alarm activation and calling 999.
The escape routes to use and any doors that must be kept closed.
The location of an external assembly point that is safe and clearly identified.
Roles and responsibilities: for example who checks everyone is out and who calls the fire service.
Procedures for assisting people with mobility or sensory needs.
Make the procedure visible: keep a one-page version in the working area and add a copy to any employee handbook or induction pack. Train staff at induction and refresh annually. Local fire brigades and the National Fire Chiefs Council tool provide practical examples and training ideas; see the NFCC Business Fire Safety Awareness Tool.
Training, drills and record keeping
Training and drills are essential; they show staff how to respond and reveal weaknesses in your plan.
Provide induction fire safety instruction for everyone who works on the premises.
Run at least one full evacuation drill per year and record the outcome.
Keep a simple log of equipment checks, alarm tests and training dates. Records demonstrate you have taken reasonable steps to manage fire risk. Relevant guidance and responsibilities are summarised on local authority pages such as Surrey County Council.
When to call in professional help
Appoint a competent fire safety professional if your assessment identifies complex risks such as significant quantities of combustible stock, hazardous substances, frequent public access, sleeping accommodation or a complicated building layout. GOV.UK advises appointing a competent person where you lack expertise or time. See GOV.UK.
If you need support beyond DIY guidance, Total Safe can help prepare risk assessments, draft emergency plans and service firefighting equipment.
Integrate fire safety with business continuity
A fire can close your business for days or longer. Link your fire safety plan to a simple business continuity checklist to speed recovery.
Back up critical data off-site or in the cloud.
Keep key contact details (staff, suppliers, insurer) accessible.
Identify an alternative workspace if trading must continue.
Maintain insurance cover that reflects the uses of your premises.
Many local fire services offer business resilience advice; for example see Avon Fire & Rescue.
Useful tools and where to find further guidance
For authoritative, UK-specific guidance use the following resources.
GOV.UK workplace fire safety pages for responsibilities and what a fire risk assessment should cover.
NFCC Business Fire Safety Awareness Tool for practical, interactive learning and scenarios relevant to small businesses.
Contact your local fire and rescue service for location-specific advice and inspection information; for example Avon Fire & Rescue.
If you prefer professional help, Total Safe fire safety services and installations offer risk assessments to equipment maintenance and training.
Conclusion — next steps
Creating a fire safety plan for a home-based business is practical and manageable. Start with a focused fire risk assessment, record significant findings, and write a clear emergency plan that everyone understands. Reduce obvious hazards, fit and test alarms, provide training, and schedule regular reviews. Where risks are complex, get help from a competent professional.
For hands-on support, consider arranging a consultation with Total Safe to review your assessment and implement recommended measures. See also GOV.UK for further detail.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a written fire safety plan for a business that operates from my home?
A: If parts of your home are used for business and you have employees, visitors or customers, you should keep a written record of your fire risk assessment and emergency plan. GOV.UK explains when written records are required and what they should contain. See GOV.UK.
Q: How often should I review my home-based business fire safety plan?
A: Review the plan whenever you make significant changes to the business, the building, or the number of people on site. As a minimum, reassess annually and after any incident. Keeping records of reviews shows you are managing risk responsibly. Guidance is available on GOV.UK.
Q: Can I do the fire risk assessment myself?
A: Yes, many small business owners can complete a simple assessment using GOV.UK guidance. However, appoint a competent professional if your premises hold hazardous substances, host the public, provide sleeping accommodation, or have complex layouts. See GOV.UK.
Q: Where can I find practical training for staff?
A: Use the NFCC Business Fire Safety Awareness Tool for interactive learning, and consult your local fire and rescue service for training and advice on drills. Professional providers, including Total Safe, supply tailored training and fire marshal courses.
Q: Who can I contact for help with equipment maintenance and certification?
A: For inspections, servicing and certification of alarms, extinguishers and emergency lighting, use an accredited provider. Total Safe lists maintenance and testing services that support compliance and ongoing safety.
Further reading and practical resources
GOV.UK guidance on workplace fire safety and fire risk assessments: Fire safety in the workplace: your responsibilities.
NFCC Business Fire Safety Awareness Tool: Business Fire Safety Awareness Tool (NFCC).
For practical support with assessments and maintenance, see Total Safe fire safety services and installations.
Answers to common service questions are available on the Total Safe FAQs: Total Safe frequently asked questions.
If you would like, Total Safe can review your assessment or draft a bespoke fire safety plan. A short consultancy visit will often reveal simple, high-impact improvements you can make immediately.
