February 2025
According to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, ‘all fire alarm systems must be adequately maintained at all times’ - but what do the measures to achieve ‘adequately maintained’ physically look like?
In this guide, we’ll give you a simple checklist of the procedures you need to follow as a business owner and give you tangible examples for implementing optimal fire safety practices as standard.
What are the UK Fire Safety Regulations in 2025?
The first thing to note is that the regulatory standard for all commercial fire alarm systems is BS 5839-1:2017 - this is a key resource that outlines the standards for fire protection. In this body of work, there are core recommendations surrounding design, installation, commissioning and maintenance.
For non-domestic premises, big or small, there is a monetary penalty for failure to comply with the British Standard fire alarm maintenance requirements.
Your Responsibilities as a Business Owner
The Fire Safety Order goes on to state that ‘a competent’ or ‘responsible’ person must be elected to ensure that fire alarm system maintenance procedures are carried out.
Your elected ‘competent’ person could be:
Whoever you delegate this responsibility to, it is important that they understand the weight of the role - they’re obligated by law to ensure that all fire systems on the premises are regularly tested and maintained to guarantee their efficiency.
Your Fire Safety Regulation Checklist
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Weekly Testing
It is recommended that fire alarm systems should undergo weekly testing by the responsible person - ensuring all components of the system are in working order.
Related: How often should you test your fire alarm to ensure it is working properly?
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Outsourcing Professional Annual Maintenance
Your fire alarm system needs to be professionally inspected and serviced at least twice a year. Any issues that are identified during these inspections must be addressed immediately by a qualified technician.
This is where we come in - as an accredited specialist in commercial fire and security, our engineers are able to audit and maintain your systems alongside you, ensuring compliance at every stage.
Get in touch with us to learn more about how our fire alarm maintenance process works and how you can go about booking an appointment.
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Record Keeping
Keeping a log of all inspections, maintenance checks, and repairs is essential for compliance and legal purposes. This record will show that you’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure the fire alarm system is properly maintained and can be used as evidence of your commitment to fire safety in the event of an audit or legal investigation.
The Home Office has also produced a helpful Fire Risk Assessment Checklist,which acts as a visual guide to determining if your procedures are fit for purpose - you can use this to help you.
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Training Your Staff
All employees should be educated on fire risks, evacuation procedures, and the proper use of fire safety equipment. Regular fire safety training ensures that everyone knows how to act swiftly and efficiently in the event of a fire.
Related: The Importance of Fire Safety Training
Changes to Non-Domestic Fire Safety Legislation in 2025
As we move into 2025, there are several notable changes to fire safety legislation for non-domestic premises. These updates focus on improving the safety of occupants, particularly in high-risk environments such as care homes and tall residential buildings.
Key updates include:
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Sprinklers in Care Homes: Care homes will now be required to install sprinkler systems to protect vulnerable individuals in the event of a fire.
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Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs): These plans will be mandatory for individuals with disabilities or mobility issues to ensure they are safely evacuated during an emergency.
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CE Marking for Construction Products: Construction products used in fire safety must now carry CE marking, ensuring they meet European safety standards.
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Transition to European Fire Testing Standards: The UK will begin aligning its fire testing standards with European norms, enhancing consistency across the industry.
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Second Staircases in Tall Residential Buildings: High-rise residential buildings will be required to have a second staircase to improve evacuation routes.
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Raising Competence in Fire Risk Assessors: To ensure quality risk assessments, the competence of fire risk assessors will be scrutinised, with a focus on ongoing training and certification.
If you have further questions surrounding the introduction of the new legislation, the IPS Fire & Security guide is a helpful resource to understand the complexities of the new roll-out.
Fire Safety Legislation - FAQs
1. How do I maintain my commercial fire alarm?
Routine checks, professional servicing twice per year, and ensuring that any repairs or issues are dealt with promptly.
2. How often should a fire alarm be maintained?
Your system should undergo weekly checks by a responsible person and be professionally maintained twice annually as a minimum (for larger properties, maintenance can be split into 3 or 4 visits per year).
3. What is included in a fire alarm maintenance appointment?
We conduct an inspection of the fire alarm panel, sensors, sounders, and detectors to ensure they are functioning correctly. Additionally, our engineer will test the system’s response to triggers and ensure it is fully compliant.
4. How can I choose the right fire alarm system for my commercial premises?
Selecting the right system depends on your premises' size, layout, and potential fire risks. We can conduct a full survey of your premises and then make recommendations based on our findings.
5. Can I install a fire alarm myself, or should I contact a specialist?
For commercial properties, it’s essential to contact a qualified specialist - like us - who will ensure the system meets all regulatory requirements and is correctly installed.
6. What is a fire alarm panel and why is it important?
The fire alarm panel is the central hub of the system, monitoring inputs from detectors and activating alarms in the event of a fire. It ensures that the response is coordinated and provides a central point for emergency responders to act upon.
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References & Resources:
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The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
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BS 5839-1:2017
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PHS Compliance, The Ultimate Guide to Fire Safety for Commercial Businesses
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UK Home Office, A Guide to making your small on-domestic premises safe from fire
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GOV.UK, Fire Safety in the Workplace
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IPS Fire & Security, The Key Changes in UK Fire Safety Legislation 2025-2029 You Should Know