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How to identify and mitigate fire hazards during peak operation hours

identify and mitigate fire hazards during peak operation hours — in this guide you will learn practical steps to spot risks, prioritise controls and manage safety when your workplace is busiest. This article explains legal responsibilities, a simple inspection routine for peak times, high-risk areas to watch, quick interventions you can implement immediately and longer-term changes to reduce risk.

Why focus on peak operation hours matters

Peak operation hours are when people, equipment and activity combine to increase the chance of a fire starting and its consequences. During busy periods escape routes can be crowded, temporary wiring may be in use and combustible materials can build up. Employers and duty holders must ensure controls work in these conditions, because fire safety duties apply at all times the premises are in use. (gov.uk)

Fires often start quickly. Therefore, planning for the busiest times prevents small incidents turning into major emergencies. In addition, staff and visitors are more likely to be distracted during busy periods, so clear signage, trained marshals and routine checks are essential.

How to identify fire hazards during peak operation hours

Start with a short, repeatable checklist that your facilities or operations team can use at the start and during peak shifts. A practical checklist helps you to spot the most common hazards fast.

Immediate checklist items you can use now:

Check escape routes: Confirm that escape routes and doors are clear and unlocked so people can exit quickly.

Inspect temporary cabling: Check extension leads, portable heaters and any temporary wiring for visible damage.

Confirm housekeeping: Ensure waste and packaging are not blocking corridors or stairwells.

Look for hot work: Note ovens, boilers and hot processes that could be ignition sources.

Storage checks: Identify any unusual storage of flammable liquids or gases and record its location.

Record findings briefly and assign an owner for remedial actions. This habit provides an audit trail and helps you spot recurring issues. Use simple frequency labels such as “address now”, “monitor weekly” or “include in monthly FRA”.

Focus on three hazard categories: sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen. This approach mirrors standard fire risk assessment practice and helps you cover all likely causes. (gov.uk)

Where fires are most likely to start at busy times

Certain areas deserve extra attention during peak periods. Prioritise these when you conduct your inspections.

Kitchen and catering zones: Busy kitchens generate heat and use open flames, fryers and hot plates. Grease buildup and blocked extract systems increase fire risk. Ensure daily cleaning schedules are followed and that staff understand safe shutdown procedures.

Workshop and production areas: Machines, hot work and compressed gases are common causes of ignition. Permit-to-work systems and hot work permits reduce risk. Ensure tools are maintained and operators are trained.

Reception, retail and public areas: Crowds and additional temporary equipment such as displays or heaters can obstruct exits. Temporary wiring for displays must be inspected and secured.

Storage and loading bays: Peak delivery times often mean pallets, cardboard and plastic are stacked near doors and routes. Keep flammable stock in appropriate cabinets and maintain good housekeeping.

Electrical plant rooms and temporary charging areas: Charging batteries and overloaded sockets create heat and fault risk. Designate battery-charging zones with appropriate ventilation and fire detection.

Practical mitigation measures you can implement before the next shift

Mitigation should be proportionate and fast to implement. Start with low-cost, high-impact measures.

Improve housekeeping: Clear rubbish and store combustibles in metal bins with lids. Enforce a “no storage in stairwells” rule and remove loose packaging after deliveries. Good housekeeping reduces available fuel for a fire.

Control ignition sources: Prohibit unauthorised hot work during peak hours. Where hot work is essential, use hot work permits, fire watches and approved tools. Isolate hot processes when possible.

Manage temporary electrical use: Eliminate daisy-chained extension leads and use fixed outlets or professionally installed temporary circuits. Label and inspect portable appliance connections each day.

Provide clear routes and signage: Mark escape routes visibly and keep them clear. Place temporary signage for visitors during busy events and ensure emergency lighting is tested regularly.

Deploy trained fire marshals: Assign additional fire marshals during peak times. They can monitor routes, support evacuation and handle small incidents. Regular drills should include scenarios for busy periods.

Install or upgrade detection: Early detection is critical during high activity. Consider additional detection or repeaters to ensure alarms reach noisy areas. Align changes with recognised standards and expert guidance. (bsigroup.com)

How to prioritise risks when resources are limited

When you can’t address every issue immediately, use a simple risk matrix to prioritise. Assess likelihood and consequence for each hazard, then focus first on items scoring high in both.

Immediate priority (take action within 24 hours): Blocked escape routes; faulty fire detection or alarms; active hot work without controls.

Short-term priority (action within a week): Overloaded circuits and exposed wiring; large accumulations of combustible waste; inadequate staff training for busy periods.

Medium-term priority (action within a month): Upgrades to detection systems; formal hot work permit implementation; reconfiguration of storage areas.

Document the action plan and set review dates. This helps show you have taken proportionate steps and that you are managing safety actively. It is also good practice for when an enforcing authority inspects your premises. (gov.uk)

Using procedures and people to reduce risk during peak hours

Equipment and systems are essential, but people make the difference. Clear roles and straightforward procedures reduce uncertainty under pressure.

Brief staff before each peak period: A five-minute safety brief at the start of a shift can highlight current risks and control measures. Tell staff where additional marshals are located and remind them of escape routes.

Assign specific responsibilities: Make clear who checks exits, who monitors charging areas and who holds the hot work permit. When everyone knows their role, response times fall and confusion declines.

Provide targeted training: Train staff in evacuation procedures, use of fire extinguishers for small fires and how to raise the alarm. Regular refresher training maintains competence and confidence.

Engage shift supervisors in monitoring: Supervisors should make a short walkthrough before and during peak times. A small checklist helps them cover the essentials quickly.

Equipment checks and maintenance to support peak-time safety

Well-maintained systems reduce false alarms and increase reliability during busy periods. Schedule maintenance to avoid peak times where possible.

Fire detection and alarm systems: Ensure systems are maintained by competent engineers and that false alarm causes are investigated and fixed. Follow current standards when planning detection coverage. (bsigroup.com)

Firefighting equipment: Keep extinguishers serviced and located where staff can access them quickly. Ensure extinguishers are appropriate for the types of fire likely in each area, such as CO2 for electrical fires or foam for liquid fires.

Emergency lighting: Test emergency lighting routinely so routes stay lit in a power failure. Busy shifts can make evacuations slower, so lighting is vital for safe movement.

Ventilation and extraction: Maintain kitchen extract systems and plant room ventilation to reduce accumulation of heat and flammable vapours. Blocked extractors increase both ignition and smoke spread risk.

When to involve specialists and external advice

You can manage many risks in-house, but call specialists when hazards are complex or beyond your competence.

Commission a professional fire risk assessment if: Your premises are large or complex; there is significant use or storage of dangerous substances; you have multiple responsible persons and shared areas.

Total Safe can provide a comprehensive fire risk assessment tailored to your business and busy periods. Use accredited assessors when you need formal documentation and a clear action plan. Fire Risk Assessments. (totalsafeuk.com)

For maintenance and installation of fire protections such as doors, dampers and suppression systems, speak to experienced contractors. Total Safe also offers a range of services that support peak-time resilience, from emergency lighting to fire door installation. Fire Safety Services. (totalsafeuk.com)

You are required to carry out and keep a written fire risk assessment for non-domestic premises. This assessment must consider staff, visitors and any increased risks at busy times. Regular review and training are part of your duties. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement action including fines. (gov.uk)

Where dangerous substances are present, include them clearly in your assessment and apply the correct controls as advised by HSE. These substances can change the nature of a fire and require specialist handling and storage. (hse.gov.uk)

Align detection and alarm systems with recognised British Standards. Recent updates to fire detection guidance highlight the importance of appropriate design and maintenance for non-domestic premises. Consider these standards when planning upgrades. (bsigroup.com)

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement

Fire safety is not a one-off task. Review your measures after incidents, near misses and busy events. Use the following cycle to maintain momentum.

Plan: Identify risks and set the checks for peak periods.

Do: Carry out checks and implement controls.

Check: Record issues, analyse trends and inspect equipment.

Act: Update procedures, training and systems according to findings.

Use incident reports and near-miss logs to identify recurring problems. If the same obstruction or faulty socket appears in reports, escalate the issue for permanent remediation.

Conclusion and next steps

Identifying and mitigating fire hazards during peak operation hours requires a mix of simple checks, staff ownership and competent technical controls. Start today by introducing a short peak-shift checklist, training a small team of fire marshals and carrying out a focused housekeeping sweep before busy periods. Review your fire risk assessment to ensure it explicitly covers peak conditions and consult a competent assessor where necessary.

If you would like expert help with a site-specific plan or a formal assessment, Total Safe can support your business with tailored reports, maintenance and training. About Total Safe.

For further reading on legal responsibilities and guidance on conducting risk assessments, refer to the government guidance on fire risk assessments and HSE advice on dangerous substances. (gov.uk)

FAQ

Q: What is the single best action to reduce fire risk during busy periods?

A: Ensure escape routes and exits are kept clear and accessible; this reduces harm even if a fire starts.

Q: How often should peak-time checks be carried out?

A: Carry out a short check at the start of each peak shift and repeat mid-shift if activity or crowding increases.

Q: Do I need a professional fire risk assessment for a small shop?

A: You can do a basic assessment yourself, but if you are unsure, have complex hazards or store flammable materials, engage a competent assessor. (gov.uk)

Q: Who is responsible if a fire starts during peak hours?

A: The ‘responsible person’ for the premises — for example the employer, owner or managing agent — must ensure appropriate fire safety measures are in place. (gov.uk)

Q: Where can I get guidance on standards for fire detection and alarms?

A: Consult the British Standards on fire detection and alarm systems and seek advice from competent engineers when upgrading systems. (bsigroup.com)