Fire safety equipment requirements in the UK are determined by your fire risk assessment, which identifies what equipment is necessary for your specific premises. Understanding these requirements helps ensure compliance with the Fire Safety Order 2005 and protects lives.
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Check your equipment provision.
Legal framework
Fire safety equipment requirements are governed primarily by:
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO)
Key articles:
Article 13 — Fire-fighting and fire detection:
- Must provide appropriate fire-fighting equipment
- Must provide fire detectors and alarms where necessary
- Equipment must be maintained in efficient working order
Article 14 — Emergency routes and exits:
- Emergency routes must be kept clear
- Must have emergency lighting where required
- Appropriate signage must be provided
Article 17 — Maintenance:
- All fire safety equipment must be maintained
- Subject to suitable system of maintenance
- Maintained in efficient working order
The Fire Safety Order doesn't specify exactly what equipment you need. Instead, it requires you to conduct a fire risk assessment, which identifies the appropriate fire precautions for your specific premises, including necessary equipment.
How requirements are determined
Your fire risk assessment identifies:
- What fire safety equipment is necessary
- Where it should be located
- Type and specification of equipment
- Maintenance and testing frequency
Fire risk assessment considers:
- Premises size and layout
- Occupancy numbers and type
- Fire risks present
- Means of escape available
- Existing fire precautions
No fire risk assessment = no compliance. You cannot know what fire safety equipment you legally need without a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. This is your starting point for all fire safety compliance.
What equipment is legally required?
While specific requirements vary by premises, fire safety equipment typically includes:
1. Fire detection and alarm systems
Purpose: Detect fire early and warn occupants to evacuate
Requirements vary by premises type:
Simple premises (small, single-occupancy):
- May require only battery-operated smoke alarms
- Or manually operated fire alarm system
Complex or high-risk premises:
- Automatic fire detection system (BS 5839 compliant)
- Manual call points at exits
- Sounders audible throughout premises
Sleeping accommodation:
- More stringent requirements
- Automatic detection in bedrooms and escape routes
- Higher category systems
Learn more: Fire alarm systems
2. Emergency lighting
Purpose: Illuminates escape routes when normal lighting fails
Legally required in:
- All escape route corridors and stairways
- Every final exit
- Large open areas (anti-panic lighting)
- Any premises where escape routes lack adequate natural light
Duration requirements:
- 1 hour for most premises
- 3 hours for sleeping accommodation
Standards: Must comply with BS 5266-1
Learn more: Emergency lighting requirements
3. Fire extinguishers
Purpose: Allow trained persons to tackle small fires in early stages
Coverage requirements:
- One fire extinguisher per 200m² floor area (as a guide)
- Travel distance to nearest extinguisher: maximum 30 meters
- Appropriate types for fire risks present
- Minimum 2 x 6L water or foam extinguishers per floor typically
Common types needed:
- Water or foam — general purpose (Class A fires)
- CO2 — electrical equipment (Class E)
- Powder — multi-purpose but messy
- Wet chemical — commercial kitchens (Class F)
Standards: BS 5306-3 for portable extinguishers
Learn more: Fire extinguisher types
Basic vs Comprehensive Fire Safety Equipment
Basic Equipment (Low-Risk Office)
- •Smoke alarms or simple manual alarm
- •Portable fire extinguishers (water/CO2)
- •Emergency lighting at exits
- •Fire action notices
- •Exit signage
- •Annual maintenance contracts
Comprehensive Equipment (Care Home)
Recommended- •Automatic fire detection system (L2 or L1)
- •Emergency lighting throughout (3-hour)
- •Multiple fire extinguisher types
- •Fire doors throughout (FD30s)
- •Fire blankets in kitchens
- •Evacuation aids (sledges, chairs)
- •Six-monthly professional inspections
Bottom line: Equipment requirements scale with risk. Low-risk premises need basic equipment; high-risk premises (especially with sleeping accommodation or vulnerable people) require comprehensive fire safety equipment. Your fire risk assessment determines what's appropriate.
4. Fire doors
Purpose: Prevent fire and smoke spread, protect escape routes
Where required:
- Protecting escape stairways
- Subdivision of escape corridors
- Flat entrance doors in multi-occupied buildings
- Separating high-risk areas
- Compartmentation boundaries
Requirements:
- Appropriate fire rating (FD30 or FD60)
- Self-closing devices
- Intumescent strips and smoke seals
- Proper certification and labeling
Learn more: Fire door requirements
5. Fire safety signage
Purpose: Guide people to safety, identify equipment, provide instructions
Legally required signs:
- Fire exit signs — indicating escape routes and exits (BS 5499 or ISO 7010)
- Fire equipment signs — identifying extinguisher locations, alarm call points
- Fire action notices — instructions for discovering fire
- Fire door signs — "Fire door keep shut" where applicable
- Assembly point signs — where people should gather after evacuation
Standards: Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
Exit signs must be visible in darkness. Fire exit signs should be illuminated (either externally lit or internally illuminated) or photoluminescent so they remain visible if normal lighting fails.
6. Fire blankets
Purpose: Smother small fires, especially suitable for cooking fires
Where required:
- Commercial kitchens
- Kitchenettes in offices
- Residential kitchens in care homes, HMOs
- Near deep fat fryers
Specification:
- Typically 1m x 1m for domestic kitchens
- 1.2m x 1.8m or larger for commercial kitchens
- Mounted in accessible location near but not above cooking equipment
7. Specialist equipment (premises-specific)
Depending on your premises, you may need:
Hose reels:
- Larger premises with longer travel distances
- Easier for untrained persons to use than extinguishers
- Requires water supply and maintenance
Sprinkler systems:
- Not legally required for most existing premises
- Required for some new high-risk buildings
- Dramatically improves fire safety
Evacuation equipment:
- Evacuation chairs for multi-storey buildings
- Evacuation sledges or sheets for care homes
- Refuge areas with communication systems
Fire safety equipment for disabled persons:
- Vibrating pads for hearing-impaired persons
- Visual alarms
- Evac chairs for mobility-impaired persons
Determining your requirements
Follow these steps to identify what equipment you need:
Step 1: Conduct fire risk assessment
Essential starting point:
- Identifies fire hazards in your premises
- Assesses risk to people
- Determines necessary fire precautions
- Specifies required equipment
Who can do it:
- You can do it yourself if competent
- Or engage a qualified fire risk assessor
- Must be "suitable and sufficient" (competent person)
Your fire risk assessment is the foundation of all fire safety compliance. Without a current, suitable fire risk assessment, you cannot demonstrate you've met your legal duties under the Fire Safety Order.
Step 2: Implement assessment recommendations
Action plan based on assessment:
- Purchase and install identified equipment
- Prioritize actions by risk level
- Set timescales for completion
- Allocate budget and responsibilities
Step 3: Arrange maintenance and testing
Establish maintenance regime:
- Schedule servicing for all equipment
- Arrange testing (weekly, monthly, annually as required)
- Keep records of maintenance and tests
- Budget for ongoing costs
Step 4: Train staff
Ensure competence:
- Fire safety awareness training for all staff
- Fire warden/marshal training for designated persons
- Equipment use training (extinguishers, evacuation aids)
- Regular refresher training
Step 5: Review regularly
Keep assessment current:
- Review fire risk assessment at least annually
- Review after any significant changes
- Update equipment as necessary
- Maintain records of reviews
Maintenance and testing requirements
Fire safety equipment must be maintained in efficient working order. Here's what's required:
Fire alarm systems
Weekly testing:
- Operate a different call point each week
- Check alarm sounds throughout premises
- Record test in logbook
Six-monthly servicing:
- Professional service by competent technician
- Test all devices and systems
- Certificate of maintenance provided
Annual comprehensive service:
- Full system test and inspection
- Replace any faulty components
- Update as-installed drawings if modified
Standard: BS 5839-1 for maintenance requirements
Emergency lighting
Monthly function test:
- Simulate mains failure
- Check all luminaires illuminate
- Record results
Annual duration test:
- Run for full rated duration (1 or 3 hours)
- Verify batteries hold sufficient charge
- Record results and remediate failures
Standard: BS 5266-1 and BS EN 50172
Fire extinguishers
Monthly visual inspection:
- Check extinguishers present and accessible
- No visible damage
- Pressure gauge in green zone
- Seal and pin intact
Annual service:
- Professional service by competent technician
- Internal examination where required
- Replace if failed pressure test
- Service label affixed showing next due date
Five-yearly extended service:
- Discharge and refill (for water, foam, powder)
- Pressure test of cylinder
- More thorough internal examination
Standard: BS 5306-3
Fire doors
Regular visual checks:
- Weekly or monthly depending on usage
- Door closes and latches properly
- Not wedged open
- No visible damage
Professional survey:
- Six-monthly to annual by competent person
- Detailed inspection of all components
- Gap measurements
- Report with recommended actions
Standard: BS 8214:2016
Fire safety signage
Regular checks:
- Signs visible and not obscured
- Illuminated signs functioning
- No fading or damage
- Replace as necessary
Review after layout changes:
- New signs if escape routes change
- Update fire action notices if procedures change
Common equipment deficiencies
Fire officers frequently find these issues:
Inadequate fire detection
Problems:
- No alarm system where required
- System inadequate for premises type
- Alarm not audible throughout premises
Consequences:
- Fire may not be detected quickly
- People may not be warned in time
- Serious breach of Fire Safety Order
Solution:
- Upgrade to appropriate system
- Consult fire alarm specialist
- Ensure complies with BS 5839
Insufficient emergency lighting
Problems:
- No emergency lighting on escape routes
- Wrong duration (1-hour where 3-hour required)
- Not tested or maintained
Consequences:
- People cannot navigate escape routes in darkness
- Legal breach of FSO Article 14
Solution:
- Install adequate emergency lighting
- Implement testing regime
- Keep records
Wrong or insufficient fire extinguishers
Problems:
- Too few extinguishers
- Wrong types for risks present
- Not serviced annually
- Obstructed or inaccessible
Consequences:
- Cannot tackle small fires effectively
- May make fire worse (wrong extinguisher type)
- Non-compliance with FSO Article 13
Solution:
- Review extinguisher provision against fire risk assessment
- Annual servicing contract
- Train staff in use
Non-compliant fire doors
Problems:
- Missing self-closers
- No certification
- Wedged open
- Gaps too large
Consequences:
- Fire and smoke spread not prevented
- People trapped by smoke
- Serious breach of fire safety requirements
Solution:
- Professional fire door survey
- Remediate defects
- Replace non-compliant doors
Missing or inadequate signage
Problems:
- No fire exit signs
- Signs not illuminated
- Fire action notices missing or out of date
Consequences:
- People cannot find exits
- Don't know what to do on discovering fire
- Breach of signage regulations
Solution:
- Install compliant signs
- Ensure illumination or photoluminescence
- Update fire action notices
Nightclub fined £80,000 for fire safety equipment failures
A nightclub with capacity for 400 people was inspected by fire officers following a complaint. The premises had a complex layout over two floors with multiple rooms and corridors.
- ✗Fire alarm system inadequate for premises — only manual call points, no automatic detection
- ✗Emergency lighting coverage inadequate with several escape routes not lit
- ✗Only 4 fire extinguishers for entire premises (should have had 15+)
- ✗Fire exit signs in poor condition, some not illuminated
- ✗Fire doors wedged open with chairs
- ✗No fire safety equipment maintenance records
- ✗Staff untrained in equipment use or emergency procedures
Fire officers issued a Prohibition Notice immediately closing the premises. The nightclub was prosecuted and fined £80,000 plus costs. They had to spend £35,000 upgrading fire safety equipment before reopening. Lost revenue during closure exceeded £150,000.
Fire safety equipment in entertainment venues is critical due to high occupancy, unfamiliar visitors, and often complex layouts. The cost of compliance (perhaps £5,000 initially plus £2,000/year maintenance) was trivial compared to the £80,000 fine, £35,000 remediation, and £150,000 lost revenue. Regular fire risk assessments and equipment maintenance are far cheaper than enforcement action.
Equipment costs and budgeting
Understanding typical costs helps with budgeting:
Initial equipment costs (indicative)
Fire alarm systems:
- Simple manual call point system: £500-£1,500
- Automatic detection (small premises): £2,000-£5,000
- Automatic detection (large premises): £5,000-£25,000+
- Addressable systems: £8,000-£50,000+
Emergency lighting:
- Self-contained LED units: £25-£100 per unit
- Small premises (8-10 units): £500-£1,500 (DIY) or £1,500-£3,000 (installed)
- Medium premises (20-30 units): £2,000-£5,000 installed
- Central battery systems: £10,000-£50,000+
Fire extinguishers:
- Water extinguisher (6L): £30-£60
- Foam extinguisher (6L): £40-£80
- CO2 extinguisher (2kg): £35-£70
- CO2 extinguisher (5kg): £50-£100
- Typical small office (4 extinguishers): £150-£300
Fire doors:
- FD30 door assembly: £150-£300
- FD30s door assembly: £250-£450
- FD60 door assembly: £300-£600
- Installation per door: £150-£300
Signage:
- Fire exit signs: £5-£40 each
- Illuminated exit signs: £20-£100 each
- Fire action notices: £5-£20 each
- Fire extinguisher signs: £2-£10 each
Ongoing maintenance costs (annual)
Fire alarm servicing:
- Small system: £150-£400 per year
- Medium system: £400-£1,000 per year
- Large system: £1,000-£3,000+ per year
Emergency lighting testing:
- DIY monthly tests: staff time only
- Annual professional test: £100-£500 depending on number of units
Fire extinguisher servicing:
- £15-£30 per extinguisher per year
- Typical small office (4 extinguishers): £60-£120 per year
Fire door inspection:
- Professional survey: £500-£2,000 depending on number of doors
Budget for maintenance from day one. Initial equipment purchase is often cheaper than ongoing maintenance. A £3,000 fire alarm requires £400/year servicing. Over 10 years, you'll spend £4,000 on servicing — more than the original purchase price. Factor maintenance costs into budgets.
Enforcement and penalties
Fire and Rescue Authorities actively enforce equipment requirements:
Enforcement actions
Informal:
- Advice and guidance on improvements
- Letters highlighting deficiencies
- Timescales for voluntary compliance
Formal:
- Alterations Notice — requiring installation of equipment
- Enforcement Notice — specific actions with legal timescales
- Prohibition Notice — closing premises until compliant
Prosecution:
- Criminal offence to breach Fire Safety Order
- Fines: unlimited (summary conviction up to £5,000)
- Imprisonment: up to 2 years for serious breaches
- Directors can be personally liable
Recent penalties
Courts impose substantial fines for fire safety equipment failures:
- £5,000-£20,000 for inadequate equipment in small premises
- £20,000-£75,000 for serious deficiencies in larger premises
- £50,000-£150,000 for care homes, hospitals, entertainment venues
- Higher penalties where vulnerable people at risk
Insurance implications
Inadequate fire safety equipment affects insurance:
- May invalidate building and contents insurance
- Insurers may refuse claims after fire
- Increased premiums when deficiencies discovered
- Liability issues if fire causes injury or death
Frequently asked questions
Requirements depend on your specific premises. You must conduct a fire risk assessment, which will identify what equipment is necessary based on your premises type, layout, occupancy, and fire risks. Common requirements include fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, fire doors, and appropriate signage.
Most offices require some form of fire warning system. A small, single-occupancy office with simple escape routes might only need battery-operated smoke alarms. Larger or more complex offices typically require a manual or automatic fire alarm system. Your fire risk assessment should specify requirements for your premises.
As a general guide, one fire extinguisher per 200m² floor area, with maximum 30-meter travel distance to nearest extinguisher. However, your fire risk assessment should specify exact requirements based on your premises. Minimum is typically two 6L water or foam extinguishers per floor, plus additional extinguishers for specific risks.
Fire safety equipment must be maintained by competent persons. For fire alarms, emergency lighting servicing, and extinguisher maintenance, this typically means qualified technicians from specialist companies. Simple tasks like weekly alarm tests or monthly emergency lighting checks can be done by trained staff members.
Costs vary significantly by premises size and risk. A small, low-risk office might spend £2,000-£5,000 initially on basic equipment (simple alarm, emergency lights, extinguishers, signage) plus £500-£1,000/year maintenance. Larger or higher-risk premises can spend £10,000-£50,000+ initially and £2,000-£5,000+ annually on maintenance.
Fire and Rescue Authorities can issue Enforcement Notices requiring you to install necessary equipment within specified timescales. Failure to comply is a criminal offence with unlimited fines and potential imprisonment. In serious cases, Prohibition Notices can immediately close premises. You also risk insurance invalidation and civil liability if fire causes injury.
You can purchase some equipment online (extinguishers, signs, basic alarm components) and may be able to self-install simple items like extinguishers and signage. However, fire alarms and emergency lighting should be professionally designed and installed to ensure compliance with relevant British Standards. All equipment must meet certification requirements.
Testing frequency varies by equipment type: fire alarms weekly (function test), emergency lighting monthly (function test) and annually (duration test), fire extinguishers annually (professional service). Your fire risk assessment should specify testing requirements, and you must keep records of all tests and maintenance.
Next steps
Start by assessing what fire safety equipment you need:
Understand the legal framework:
What is a fire risk assessment? →
Unsure what fire safety equipment your premises requires? A qualified fire risk assessor can evaluate your premises and provide a detailed specification of necessary equipment, prioritized recommendations, and compliance guidance.
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