How can I identify fire safety risks specific to my industry?
Identify fire safety risks specific to your industry and learn a practical, step-by-step approach to spot hazards, assess likelihood and plan controls so your business stays safe and compliant. In this guide you will find clear actions you can take immediately, the standards and guidance to consult, and examples for common high-risk sectors. Use it to inform a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment or to brief a consultant. gov.uk
Why industry-specific risk identification matters
Every workplace is different. A one-size-fits-all check will miss important hazards. The law in England and Wales requires the Responsible Person to make a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment that reflects the premises, activities and people at risk. That duty includes identifying hazards unique to your sector and putting in place appropriate precautions. legislation.gov.uk
Getting this right reduces the chance of fire, limits damage and demonstrates due diligence to regulators, insurers and staff. For some industries, a missed risk can lead to serious injury or prosecution. Treat the identification process as central to business continuity and duty-of-care.
Start with a clear scope and plan
First, define the exact areas, processes and times you will examine. Include any outbuildings, storage yards and nearby shared spaces. Next, list who uses each area and when they are present. Finally, set a schedule for inspection and the format for recording findings.
A structured scope keeps the work focused and makes it easier to show auditors that the assessment covered the relevant operations and people. Use simple plans and photos to map where hazards, escape routes and safety equipment are located.
How to identify fire safety risks specific to my industry: the five-step method
Below is a repeatable method that works across sectors. Apply it to an office, a restaurant, a warehouse or a care home. Use the same sequence each time and record the evidence you gather.
Survey ignition sources
Inspect processes, equipment and activities that could start a fire. Examples include cooking equipment, heaters, hot work, electrical panels and charging points for battery-powered vehicles. Check hot work permits and contractor activities. For workplaces, the Health and Safety Executive explains common ignition sources and the need to consider them as part of your assessment. hse.gov.uk
Identify fuels and fire load
Note combustible stock, packaging, waste, textiles and stored materials. In warehouses, palletised cardboard and shrink-wrap are common high fire loads. In laboratories, chemical stocks change the risk profile dramatically.
Consider people and vulnerability
Record numbers using each space and any people who may need assistance to escape, such as residents in care settings or night-shift workers who work alone. The National Fire Chiefs Council advocates a person-centred approach to help identify vulnerable occupants and plan reasonable adjustments. nfcc.org.uk
Examine the environment and processes
Look at compartmentation, escape routes, ventilation and automatic systems. Consider seasonal or temporary changes such as increased stock for peak trading or construction work that creates additional hazards.
Assess controls and reliability
Check fire detection, alarm systems, extinguishers, suppression systems and emergency lighting. Note maintenance records, recent faults and whether staff know how to use equipment. Relevant British Standards such as BS 5839 guide the design and maintenance of detection and alarm systems. electrical.theiet.org
Practical checks for common industries
Different sectors demand specific focus. Below are concise checklists for high-risk industries. Use them as a starting point for your site survey.
Hospitality and commercial kitchens
Inspect deep-fat fryers, cooking hobs and extraction systems. Check suppression systems over cooking lines and fire blanket availability. Review staff training on grease fires and evacuation.
Warehousing and logistics
Audit stacking heights, pallet spacing and sprinkler coverage. Identify ignition risks from vehicles, charging stations and electrical installations. Check access for fire services and location of hydrants.
Manufacturing and workshops
Review hazardous processes, hot work permits and flammable liquid storage. Confirm fire separation between high-risk processes and office areas.
Residential care, specialised housing and health facilities
Identify residents who might need assistance to evacuate. Ensure detection systems and evacuation strategies reflect occupant needs. NFCC specialised guidance offers detail on person-centred assessments. nfcc.org.uk
Offices and retail
Focus on electrical equipment, storage in cupboards and housekeeping around escape routes. Check portable appliance testing regimes and staff awareness of escape plans.
Battery storage, EV charging and renewable energy sites
Treat lithium-ion batteries as a specific hazard; they can cause thermal runaway and require different containment and response measures. Ensure the fire risk assessment includes storage practices, charging supervision and separation from other stock.
Use standards and authoritative guidance to set criteria
Do not rely solely on in-house judgement. Standards and official guidance provide measurable criteria to judge existing controls. For example, BS 5839 covers fire detection and alarm systems, while BS 9999 provides risk-based design guidance for buildings. Government guidance and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order set the legal baseline for risk assessments and review cycles. electrical.theiet.org
Consult the Health and Safety Executive for workplace-specific advice and gov.uk for legal requirements and responsibilities. These sources help you justify decisions and demonstrate compliance during inspections. hse.gov.uk
When to commission a professional fire risk assessment
If your premises involve complex hazards, large occupant numbers or sleeping residents, you should use a competent fire risk assessor. Likewise, where you rely on engineered solutions such as sprinklers, smoke control or bespoke suppression systems, expert input is essential.
Total Safe provides tailored assessments and technical fire strategy services. If you prefer an external assessment, choose assessors with relevant qualifications and references. Always keep records of how you selected the assessor and why they are competent. totalsafeuk.com
Recording, prioritising and acting on findings
Record each significant finding and rate it by severity and likelihood. Use simple RAG (red, amber, green) or numerical scoring. Create an action plan with deadlines and named owners. Retain test and maintenance records. The Total Safe Fire Safety Logbook is designed for this purpose and can help make your site audit-ready. totalsafeuk.com
Prioritise immediate life-safety issues first. For example, blocked escape routes, failed detection or missing emergency lighting must be fixed before low-priority items such as cosmetic repairs.
Review frequency and triggers for reassessment
A fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and whenever circumstances change. Triggers include building alterations, new equipment, changes in occupancy or a near-miss or fire incident. The law requires the Responsible Person to keep the assessment up to date; regular reviews show you are managing risk proactively. legislation.gov.uk
Set formal review dates and informal checks between those dates. Ensure contractors and temporary works are included in the next review.
How to involve staff, contractors and stakeholders
Consultation improves both risk identification and staff buy-in. Share maps of escape routes, run tabletop exercises and log lessons learned. For multi-occupancy buildings, coordinate with landlords, tenants and the local fire and rescue service where appropriate.
Training complements engineering controls. Staff who understand alarm signals and rudimentary firefighting can reduce harm before emergency services arrive.
How Total Safe can help you identify industry-specific risks
If you need support to identify fire safety risks specific to your industry, Total Safe offers services that include on-site surveys, Type 1–4 fire risk assessments, fire strategy plans and ongoing maintenance packages. Their engineers can test systems, advise on standards and help with documentation to show compliance. For details of the services available, see totalsafeuk.com
Working with experienced consultants saves time and reduces legal and operational risk. A professional assessor will provide a clear, prioritised action list and can help you implement higher-complexity controls.
Conclusion and next steps
To identify fire safety risks specific to your industry, follow a structured survey, use authoritative standards and involve the people who understand daily operations. Prioritise life-safety issues and keep clear records that show how you selected any external assessor. If your premises include high-risk processes or vulnerable occupants, commission a competent professional and follow their recommendations.
Next steps you can take today:
Scope your premises and note areas of highest fire load.
Run a short walkaround using the five-step method above.
Book a professional fire risk assessment if you have complex hazards.
Maintain a log of actions, tests and training to demonstrate due diligence. hse.gov.uk
FAQ
Q: Who must identify fire safety risks on my premises?
A: The Responsible Person is legally required to ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and kept up to date. This duty usually rests with an employer, building owner or manager. legislation.gov.uk
Q: How often should the assessment be reviewed?
A: Review it regularly and whenever there are significant changes to the premises, processes, occupants or after any fire-related incident. Set a formal review schedule and informal checks between reviews. legislation.gov.uk
Q: Are industry standards mandatory?
A: British Standards provide best-practice recommendations and are not laws in themselves. However, they form recognised technical guidance and are frequently used to demonstrate compliance with legal duties. For detection and alarm systems and building design, consult the relevant BS codes. electrical.theiet.org
Q: Can I carry out the assessment myself?
A: Yes, if you are competent. If the premises are complex, or involve high-risk processes or vulnerable occupants, you should appoint a qualified assessor. Keep records of why you chose the assessor and evidence of their competence. gov.uk
Q: Where can I find practical help and templates?
A: Authoritative guidance is available from GOV.UK and the Health and Safety Executive, while sector-specific guidance can be found via the NFCC and British Standards. For applied support, Total Safe offers fire risk assessments, strategy planning and logbooks to help you remain compliant. gov.uk
