Business Fire Safety Advice: Cost-Saving Tips from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
In these challenging economic times, many businesses are looking for ways to reduce costs due to the rising cost of living. However, cutting corners should never come at the expense of safety—especially fire safety. At Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), we’re committed to supporting local businesses in staying safe while adapting to financial pressures. Drawing on guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), we’ve put together this practical advice to help you save money without compromising the safety of your premises, staff, or customers.
Your Legal Responsibilities
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as amended by the Fire Safety Act 2021, and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (effective from 23 January 2023), employers and those responsible for premises—known as Responsible Persons—have a legal duty to ensure fire safety. These measures are in place to protect lives, whether or not the fire service is called. Maintaining effective fire safety provisions is not just a legal obligation; it’s a critical step in safeguarding your business.
For small businesses, the NFCC offers a free Business Fire Safety Awareness Tool to help you understand and meet these obligations. You can access it online to ensure compliance and protect your workplace.
https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/Business-fire-safety-awareness-tool
Key Fire Safety Tips for Cost-Conscious Businesses
- General Fire Risk Reduction
- Review your fire risk assessment: Ensure it’s up to date and reflects any changes to your operations or premises.
- Maintain fire safety measures: Check that alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting, and other systems are working.
- Train your staff: Make sure they know evacuation procedures and how to spot fire hazards.
- Plan for emergencies: Update your business continuity plan and ensure staff know how to call emergency services.
- Making Changes to Your Premises If you’re altering your layout—closing off areas, adding storage, or reconfiguring spaces—review your fire risk assessment. Consider how these changes affect fire risks and take steps like increasing deliveries or using off-site storage to mitigate hazards.
- Reducing Staff Numbers Fewer staff can increase fire risks, from unsafe processes to difficulties with evacuations. Update your fire risk assessment to reflect staffing changes and review your Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) and Generic Emergency Evacuation Plans (GEEPs) to ensure they’re still effective with a smaller team.
- Switching Heating Methods
Rising energy costs might tempt you to use portable heaters or open fires instead of central heating. Here’s how to stay safe:
- Check heaters for recalls or damage before use.
- Keep heaters away from escape routes and flammable materials.
- Plug electric heaters directly into wall sockets—not extension leads.
- Use gas heaters only in well-ventilated areas, never in bedrooms or bathrooms.
- Hire qualified professionals (e.g., Gas Safe Register for gas appliances) for installation and repairs.
- Store fuel cylinders securely outside, away from sunlight and ignition sources.
- Avoid second-hand or outdoor heaters indoors—they pose serious fire and carbon monoxide risks.
- Cutting Energy Use Limiting energy to save money could affect fire safety systems like alarms, sprinklers, or smoke vents. Ensure battery backups are in place and test systems after power cuts to confirm they restart correctly. Check that other equipment (e.g., medical devices in care settings) doesn’t pose a fire risk when power resumes.
- Adjusting Storage and Stock Increased stock or new storage setups can raise fire risks. Keep exits clear and ensure your fire safety systems can handle higher “fire loading.” Update your fire risk assessment after any changes.
- Handling Power Cuts Plan for power outages with backup systems and checks to ensure fire safety measures reboot properly. Unsupervised equipment restarts could spark fires, so test everything—including medical or care-related devices—after power is restored.
Supporting Residential Buildings
If you’re a Responsible Person for a residential building (e.g., flats above your business), review your fire risk assessment and engage with residents. Make sure they know how to reduce risks—like using safe heating alternatives—and what to do in a fire. The NFCC’s Prevention Cost of Living Toolkit is a great resource for residents.
Extra Precautions
- Prevent Energy Theft: Watch for signs of meter tampering or hotwiring. Visit the Stay Energy Safe campaign site for advice.
- Avoid Second-Life Batteries: These may seem cost-effective but can be dangerous unless installed by a qualified electrician.
- Maintain Unused Areas: If parts of your premises are empty, take a risk-based approach to testing fire safety systems. Consult a competent person if unsure.
- Partly Used Premises: Ensure fire safety systems in vacant areas are checked before reoccupation.
- No Sleeping on Premises: Don’t allow staff to sleep in non-residential spaces—it introduces unnecessary risks.
- Safe Cooking Facilities: Provide proper appliances (not camping gear or barbecues) and update your fire risk assessment.
Have More Questions?
For further guidance, visit the NFCC website or contact DWFRS directly at businessfiresafety@dwfire.org.uk.