Recognise and address fire hazards: How can I recognise and address fire hazards specific to my site’s operations?
Recognise and address fire hazards early to protect people and property; in this guide you will learn how to identify hazards specific to your site, assess their risk, and implement practical controls. This article explains legal duties, offers a clear step‑by‑step inspection approach, and gives examples for common sectors such as offices, retail, warehouses, construction and light manufacturing. You will also find practical checklists and next steps so you can act with confidence.
Why recognising and addressing fire hazards matters
Fires cause injury, business disruption and high repair costs. More importantly, they can cost lives. The law places responsibility on the “responsible person” to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and to reduce risks so far as is reasonably practicable. For an authoritative summary of these duties, see the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 guidance. In addition, Health and Safety Executive guidance offers practical advice on workplace fire safety. See the HSE introduction to fire safety for background on process and behaviour risks.
Recognising and addressing fire hazards does not mean spending heavily. Small, planned actions often prevent the largest losses. First identify practical ignition sources and fuels. Then focus on controls that remove or separate those hazards. Finally, maintain systems and train people.
How to recognise and address fire hazards on your site
Start with a simple structured inspection. Use the three elements of fire: ignition, fuel and oxygen. Walk the site and note any item or process that could supply one of those elements.
Look for ignition sources. These include hot works, heaters, electrical panels, faulty appliances, battery charging stations and vehicle engines.
Find fuel sources. Examples are storage of cardboard, waste, racked goods, flammable liquids and dust accumulations.
Check where oxygen can feed a fire. This is usually ambient air, but ventilation systems and ducts can influence fire growth.
Use a clipboard or a digital form and photograph issues. Record where they are, why they are a hazard, and who is affected.
For complex operations, identify specific processes that raise unique risks. For example: battery storage, solvent-based cleaning, grain or wood dust, hot metal work, kitchen extract systems and waste compactors. If a dangerous substance is present, HSE says you must include it in your fire risk assessment and apply process controls. The HSE details process fire precautions and how they differ from general precautions. See HSE guidance on work process fire safety for practical examples.
Practical hazard checklist by operation type
Use this checklist to focus your walkabout. Tick items, note evidence and prioritise actions.
Offices and retail
Blocked escape routes and clutter. Ensure escape routes are clear and visible.
Overloaded sockets and extension leads. Identify and replace overloaded circuits and remove temporary cabling.
Unattended kettles or small kitchen appliances. Address appliance management in staff areas.
Storage of paper or packaging near heaters. Move combustibles away from heat sources.
Warehouses and racked storage
High stacking of combustible goods. Reduce stacking heights or improve separation.
Poor separation between racking and plant. Ensure safe distances or fire‑resisting barriers.
Hot works in or near storage bays. Introduce controls or relocate hot tasks.
Accumulated dust or packaging waste. Schedule cleaning and waste removal.
Kitchens and hospitality
Grease build-up in extract ducts. Regular cleaning and inspection are essential.
Open flames and deep-fat fryers. Consider automatic suppression where appropriate.
Flammable cleaning liquids. Store in approved cabinets and keep away from ignition sources.
Poor ventilation and lack of automatic suppression above hobs. Review extract systems and suppression provision.
Construction and refurbishment
Temporary electrical supplies and cables. Manage and inspect temporary wiring.
Removal of fire-stopping or compartmentation. Keep compartmentation intact or provide temporary protections.
Hot works without permits. Use permit-to-work systems and supervision.
Storage of flammable consumables. Secure and separate flammable materials.
Manufacturing and workshops
Flammable liquids and gases in process areas. Store and control according to process needs.
Dust from wood or metalwork. Install extraction and perform regular cleaning.
High-temperature equipment and ovens. Maintain safeguards and temperature controls.
Battery charging and storage. Provide dedicated, ventilated battery rooms where needed.
Transport and vehicle fleets
Fuel storage and refuelling points. Manage refuelling locations and controls.
Engines and battery systems. Monitor and maintain vehicle systems to reduce ignition risk.
Vehicle maintenance near buildings. Locate maintenance away from high-risk areas.
Waste oily rags and absorbents. Store in metal bins with lids and dispose safely.
Assessing and prioritising risks
Once hazards are listed, assess likelihood and severity. Use a simple matrix: high, medium, low for both axes. Put each hazard into the matrix and act on high-likelihood, high-severity items first.
For example, a combustible racking bay beside a hot-works area is high risk. Immediate steps include removing combustible material, introducing a hot-work permit and installing temporary separation. For medium risks, schedule remedial work. For low risks, monitor and record in the fire log.
Prioritisation keeps actions realistic. Deal with quick wins first. Clearing escape routes, removing waste and fixing faulty sockets are often low cost and high impact. Then move to engineering or procedural controls for more complex items.
Controls: eliminate, reduce, isolate and protect
Use the hierarchy of controls to decide what to do.
Eliminate and substitute — Stop hot work where possible; replace flammable solvents with less flammable alternatives; remove surplus combustible storage.
Reduce and isolate — Segregate storage areas with fire-resisting construction; use dedicated battery rooms with ventilation and spill containment; introduce safe storage cabinets for flammable liquids.
Engineering and active protections — Install or maintain detection and alarm systems suitable for the risk; fit automatic suppression where appropriate (for kitchens or plant rooms); maintain fire doors, emergency lighting and escape signage.
Administrative measures — Implement hot-work permits and permit-to-work systems; schedule regular cleaning for extract systems, ducts and dust-prone machinery; control access to high-risk areas and train staff in safe working procedures.
A combination of these measures usually delivers best results. For tailored advice and remedial work, Total Safe can provide professional support through our Fire Risk Assessment service. For broader installations and ongoing maintenance, see our Fire Safety Services.
Special focus: dangerous substances and process risks
When your operation uses chemicals, fuels, powders or aerosols, you must treat them as dangerous substances. These items can change the risk profile dramatically. The law expects the risk assessment to include such materials and to propose suitable process fire precautions.
Controls include proper storage in approved containers and cabinets; dedicated extraction or ventilation for dust and vapour; explosion suppression or relief where necessary; maintenance of electrical equipment to prevent sparks; safe disposal and waste segregation.
If you are unsure how to evaluate a dangerous substance, obtain specialist advice. HSE process guidance explains when HSE rather than fire and rescue services will be the enforcing authority for these risks. See HSE process fire guidance for more detail.
Organising competent people and records
You must appoint a responsible person and ensure someone competent carries out or reviews the fire risk assessment. Competence can be internal if the person has appropriate training; otherwise, use an external assessor. A competent assessor will give you a defensible action plan and prioritised remedial work.
Keep clear records: fire risk assessment reports and dates of review; training logs and attendance for fire marshals; maintenance records for alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting and doors; permit-to-work records and hot-work documentation.
Good records demonstrate that you have taken reasonable steps to manage risks. They also speed up remedial action and make audits simpler.
Monitoring, testing and continual improvement
Controls must be kept effective. Test fire alarms, emergency lighting and suppression systems as required by the relevant British Standards. Maintain a programme of inspections and preventive maintenance. Run evacuation drills at least annually and more frequently where staff turnover or shift work is high.
After any incident or near miss, update the risk assessment and implement corrective actions. Learn from external incidents in similar premises and update procedures accordingly. The National Fire Chiefs Council and other sector bodies publish guidance and case studies that can inform improvements.
When to get specialist help from Total Safe
Get in touch with a specialist when you handle dangerous substances or have complex processes; you manage multi-occupied residential buildings, shared living or high-rise sites; you plan significant refurbishment or changes to compartmentation; or you need evidence of competent assessment for compliance and insurance.
Total Safe provides tailored site surveys, remedial works and training to help you recognise and address fire hazards. Our assessors prepare prioritised action plans that are practical and compliant. See our range of services to find the right support for your site.
Conclusion and next steps
Recognise and address fire hazards by walking the site, listing ignition and fuel sources, and prioritising based on likelihood and severity. Use elimination and substitution first, then apply engineering and administrative controls. Maintain records, test systems and train people. For complex risks or when you need a defensible assessment, use a competent assessor.
Next steps: carry out a site walk and complete a simple checklist this week; tackle immediate high‑risk items such as blocked escapes and faulty electrics; book a professional fire risk assessment if your site stores dangerous substances, has complex processes, or your premises are large or multi-occupied.
If you would like help to recognise and address fire hazards specific to your operations, contact Total Safe to arrange a tailored assessment and action plan.
FAQ
Q: Who is legally responsible for recognising and addressing fire hazards on site?
A: The “responsible person” named under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and appropriate precautions are implemented.
Q: How often should I review my fire risk assessment?
A: Review it whenever there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid, after significant changes to the premises or operations, and at regular intervals as determined by your risk profile.
Q: What immediate actions should I take if I find a high-risk hazard?
A: Make the area safe, remove ignition sources or combustible materials where possible, isolate the hazard, and arrange professional remedial work without delay.
Q: Are dangerous substances covered by a standard fire risk assessment?
A: Yes. Dangerous substances must be included. For process-based hazards HSE guidance explains the specific precautions required and when HSE enforces the controls.
Q: How can Total Safe help me to recognise and address fire hazards?
A: Total Safe offers expert fire risk assessments, remedial works and training to help you identify site-specific hazards and implement a clear, prioritised plan of action.
