Table of Contents

• Understanding High-Risk Facilities in London
• Regulatory Requirements for 2025 and Beyond
• Conducting a Fire Risk Assessment for High-Risk Buildings
• Key Fire Safety Priorities for 2025
• The Role of Technology in Identifying Fire Safety Risks
• Working with Fire Safety Specialists
• Conclusion: Planning Ahead for 2025

Fire safety priorities for London’s high-risk facilities are evolving fast in response to stricter regulations, urban challenges, and increasingly complex buildings. In 2025, property managers, compliance officers, and facilities teams face a critical task—ensuring every risk is identified, assessed, and addressed.

This guide explains how to recognise and manage fire safety priorities for high-risk premises in the capital. It considers current legislation, industry standards, and focuses on practical steps you can take to reduce the threat of fire and ensure legal compliance.

Not all buildings face the same level of fire risk. In London, high-risk facilities often include:

These environments require more stringent controls because of their occupancy type, building structure, evacuation challenges, or fire load density.

The first step is understanding what makes your property high-risk. For example, a structure over 18 metres tall, such as a residential tower block, often falls under stricter regulations under the Building Safety Act 2022 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. If you’re unsure whether your property qualifies, speak to a qualified fire risk assessor.

New legal requirements are shaping how fire safety priorities should be managed across high-risk buildings in London. As of 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations require Responsible Persons to carry out specific duties, including:

These requirements build upon the Fire Safety Act 2021 and align closely with the Building Safety Act 2022. By 2025, compliance will not be optional—it will be enforced.

For London facilities, especially those that house vulnerable or sleeping occupants, these obligations are even more critical. Regular reviews of your fire risk assessment are essential to ensure you meet the latest standards.

Total Safe UK offers a comprehensive fire risk assessment service that helps organisations stay compliant and prepared.

A fire risk assessment is the cornerstone of any effective fire safety strategy. For high-risk premises, it must be carried out by someone with the right level of competence and experience.

Important steps include:

In 2025, it’s no longer enough to do a “tick-box” review every few years. For high-risk properties in London, assessments may need to be done annually or when significant changes occur—such as renovations or changes in occupancy.

For further guidance, consult the National Fire Chiefs Council guidance on building risk assessments.

Compartmentation slows down fire spread and gives occupants vital time to evacuate. Fire-resisting walls, floors, and doors must be properly installed and maintained. Breaches caused by faulty repairs or poor maintenance are dangerous and common in older London buildings.

Schedule regular inspections of compartmentation features, and use trusted providers to carry out fire stopping works.

As per regulatory updates, fire doors in buildings above 11 metres must be checked regularly. These inspections are especially important in high-rise flats, care facilities, and student halls.

All fire doors—especially those on communal corridors and stairwells—must close properly, be free from damage, and be fitted with compliant seals, hinges, and signage.

Up-to-date fire detection and alarm systems are essential. London’s high-risk facilities must have detection systems appropriate to their size and complexity. For instance, a hospital may require a fully addressable system, allowing precise detection and faster response.

Old systems should be replaced with full compliance to BS 5839-1:2017, the standard for fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic premises.

Power failures are likely during fires. Emergency lighting ensures people can escape safely even with poor visibility. For multi-storey or complex layouts, validated wayfinding systems—clear signage and floor plans—can help the emergency services navigate during critical moments.

Verify that your emergency lighting system meets BS 5266-1 and is tested every month.

One of the biggest priorities in 2025 is ensuring that clear evacuation procedures are in place. These must reflect the needs of all occupants, especially those with reduced mobility or other vulnerabilities.

Responsibilities should be assigned, and staff must receive regular training. The evacuation plan must also be shared with residents and staff. A reliable fire safety partner can help you develop and test bespoke evacuation strategies.

View our fire safety training courses to improve preparedness among your staff.

Technology is increasingly being used to assist with fire safety risk management. From remote monitoring systems to digital fire logs and smart devices that track compliance tasks, there’s significant potential for efficiency.

In high-risk London properties, building information modelling (BIM) and digital twins can offer live data to inform fire strategies. Some advanced systems can even run fire simulations to test different emergency scenarios in real-time.

While these technologies are useful, they are not a replacement for onsite inspections and expert assessments. Instead, they should enhance your risk identification process.

London’s fire safety landscape is one of the most complex in the UK. That’s why high-risk buildings benefit from working closely with accredited fire safety providers. A professional team can:

Always choose providers who are accredited by recognised industry bodies such as the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) or who follow guidance from the Health and Safety Executive.

Identifying fire safety priorities for London’s high-risk facilities means staying proactive, informed, and prepared. As regulations and risks evolve, so must your safety strategies. Make 2025 the year you conduct a full review of your fire protection measures, invest in staff training, and upgrade ageing systems.

By prioritising prevention and compliance, you’ll create safer environments, reduce legal liability, and protect both property and lives.

High-risk buildings include high-rise residential blocks, care homes, hospitals, student accommodation, and any premises with complex layouts or vulnerable occupants. The height, use, and fire load of the building are key factors.

For high-risk facilities, fire risk assessments should be reviewed at least annually, or whenever significant structural or occupancy changes occur. It ensures ongoing compliance with current fire safety legislation.

Yes. Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations, responsible persons in high-rise buildings must carry out regular checks of communal fire doors and individual flat entrance doors in buildings over 11 metres.

Emergency lighting systems must meet the requirements of BS 5266-1. These systems should be tested monthly to verify function, with annual duration tests carried out by a competent professional.

Proper training equips staff to respond effectively in a fire, understand evacuation procedures, and spot hazards early. It also supports legal compliance and improves the safety culture across your facility.