reduce fire risks in communal living spaces: Practical steps for landlords, managers and facilities teams
reduce fire risks in communal living spaces is essential for landlords, managing agents and facilities teams, and in this guide you will learn practical, compliant actions to protect residents, evidence due diligence and reduce liability. The URL slug for this article should be reduce-fire-risks-communal-living-spaces to match search intent.
Why reducing fire risk in communal areas matters
Communal spaces such as corridors, stairwells, bin stores and shared kitchens present particular challenges. Fires can spread quickly if passive measures fail or if escape routes are obstructed. Furthermore, regulators expect a proportionate, documented approach to control these risks. By following clear steps you can protect people, property and reputation.
This article explains how to reduce fire risks in communal living spaces through risk assessment, design and day-to-day management. It also highlights the legal duties of the responsible person and offers practical examples you can put into an action plan.
How to reduce fire risks in communal living spaces: the structured five-step approach
Start with a systematic process. A tried-and-tested five-step approach helps you target the highest risks first. Step one is to identify hazards. Step two is to identify people at risk. Step three is to evaluate and reduce risks. Step four is to record and plan. Step five is to review. These steps follow the Government and HSE guidance on fire risk assessment and are the best foundation for reducing harm. For more detail on the HSE five-step model see the official HSE guidance. HSE five-step fire risk assessment guide.
Practical measures: prevention, detection and escape
Prevention is the most cost-effective way to reduce harm. Remove ignition sources from communal spaces. For example, stop residents storing bicycles, furniture or rubbish in stairwells. Introduce clear signage and run resident communications that explain why escape routes must remain clear.
Next, ensure detection and alarm systems cover the common parts. Interlinked alarms, zoned detection and monitored systems can reduce response times and help protect vulnerable occupants. Where a building’s layout supports a stay-put strategy, ensure detection and alarm arrangements reflect that approach. The Government’s guidance for blocks of flats and communal areas explains the stay-put principle in detail. GOV.UK guide to making blocks of flats safe.
Finally, test escape routes and provide emergency lighting where needed. Regular visual checks will flag blocked routes quickly. In more complex sites, ask a competent contractor to confirm compliance with the relevant British Standards and to provide remedial quotations.
Fire compartmentation and fire doors: why they are vital
Good compartmentation limits fire spread and protects means of escape. Therefore, maintain fire doors, check seals, and repair gaps in walls and floors. Do not allow residents or contractors to alter fire‑resisting elements without written authority.
If you identify damaged or non-compliant doors, prioritise them. A failed communal fire door is a high-impact defect.
Book a survey and remedial work with a competent installer. Total Safe can carry out surveys and repairs for communal buildings; see the Total Safe fire door installation and servicing for support.
Electrical safety and management of common kitchens and stores
Many communal fires start with electrical faults or unsafe cooking. To reduce fire risks in communal living spaces, ensure electrical installations and appliances receive regular inspection and testing. Landlords must follow the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector where applicable.
If your building has shared kitchens, restrict portable appliances and install appropriate heat detectors. Likewise, enforce a strict no-smoking policy in common parts and make safe storage mandatory for cleaning chemicals and fuel. Clear guidance for landlords on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide devices is available on GOV.UK. How to rent a safe home: smoke and CO guidance.
Behaviour, communication and building culture
Human behaviour is a major factor in communal risk. Educate residents and staff with short, practical messages. Use noticeboards, newsletters and welcome packs to explain alarm tests, escape routes and the importance of not propping open fire doors.
Run simple drills and give nominated residents or staff the role of fire marshals. Training improves confidence and reduces panic during an incident. For organisations that manage multiple properties, centralise learning from incidents and near misses so other sites can benefit.
Risk assessment and legal responsibilities
A competent, documented fire risk assessment forms the backbone of any risk-reduction programme. The Responsible Person must ensure common parts are assessed and that significant findings are recorded where necessary. The Government provides clear direction on who holds duties and what those duties cover. GOV.UK guide for persons with duties under fire safety laws.
When you assess how to reduce fire risks in communal living spaces, record: the hazard, who is at risk, the steps taken, and timescales for completion. Keep the assessment under review and update it after any material change or following an incident.
If the building is complex or houses vulnerable people, use an accredited external assessor. Total Safe offers comprehensive fire risk assessments tailored to communal properties and can produce actionable plans. Book a Total Safe fire risk assessment.
Maintenance, inspection and record-keeping
Maintenance is continuous. Schedule and record inspections for alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers and doors. Keep a fire logbook that includes weekly alarm tests, monthly checks and annual servicing records.
Insurers and regulators will expect to see a maintained record. Therefore, set responsibilities in writing and use reminders to ensure inspections occur on time. If staff shortages make this hard, outsource to a competent provider.
Practical prioritisation: where to start if budgets are limited
If you must phase works, follow a simple prioritisation matrix: life-safety issues first, then detection and escape route repairs, then property and asset protection. Begin with defects that directly affect escape routes or compartmentation. Next, address alarm reliability and emergency lighting. Finally, invest in training and resident engagement.
Create a short-term action list (0–3 months) and a longer plan (3–12 months). Report progress to stakeholders and update the fire risk assessment to show the decisions made.
Case study: quick wins that made a difference
A mid-sized block of flats had frequent alarm faults and blocked corridors. The responsible manager carried out a swift programme: remove storage from corridors, replace two non‑closing fire doors, and repair damaged door seals. They then scheduled weekly alarm tests and gave residents simple instructions about bin disposal and cooking safety.
Within three months the number of false alarms dropped, the fire brigade confirmed improved access, and residents reported greater confidence. This example shows how modest investment and strong communication quickly reduce risk.
When to seek specialist help
Call a specialist when compartmentation is unclear, when alterations affect fire-resisting elements, or when your chosen evacuation strategy needs technical validation. Also engage experts for high-risk systems such as sprinklers, suppression systems and complex alarm installations.
Specialists help produce compliant specifications and provide competent installation and certification. Where the law requires it, choose accredited providers. For instance, Total Safe is BAFE‑registered and provides a range of services from assessment to installation and maintenance. For tailored technical works, an accredited team reduces rework and demonstrates due diligence.
Conclusion and next steps
To reduce fire risks in communal living spaces you need a blend of prevention, competent assessment and active management. Start with a fire risk assessment, clear the means of escape, maintain compartmentation and make detection reliable. Communicate with residents, record your actions and review regularly.
Recommended next steps:
Commission or review your fire risk assessment this month.
Tackle any life‑safety defects within three months.
Implement a resident communications plan and train nominated fire marshals.
Ensure maintenance records are complete and easily accessible.
If you need help with assessment, door surveys, alarm works or ongoing maintenance, contact Total Safe for a site visit and tailored plan. Contact Total Safe for support.
FAQ
Q: Who is responsible for reducing fire risks in communal living spaces?
A: The Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order holds duties for common parts; this may be a freeholder, managing agent or landlord. They must ensure a suitable fire risk assessment and act on significant findings.
Q: How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
A: Review whenever the building’s use, occupancy or layout changes, after incidents, and at least annually for higher-risk communal properties. The HSE five‑step guidance covers monitoring and review best practice. HSE fire risk assessment advice.
Q: Are residents responsible for fire doors in their flats?
A: Responsibility can vary. The Fire Safety Order covers flat entrance doors and common parts; leases or tenancy agreements often define maintenance duties. Do not alter fire doors without approval as changes can undermine compartmentation.
Q: What quick actions reduce the most risk in communal areas?
A: Clear corridors, repair or replace defective fire doors, maintain alarms and emergency lighting, stop unsafe storage in escape routes and run focused resident communications.
Q: Where can I find official guidance on communal fire safety and evacuation strategies?
A: Start with the Government’s guides for blocks of flats and the Fire Safety Order guidance, which explain evacuation approaches such as stay‑put and duties for common parts. GOV.UK guidance on duties under fire safety laws.
