Fire safety isn’t just about formal inspections and official risk assessments. While those are critical and legally required, some of the most preventable fire hazards are often caught by people already on-site, such as building managers, caretakers, or site supervisors.
That’s where the informal fire safety walkthrough comes in. It’s a simple, visual check of your building that can be carried out weekly or monthly to spot obvious (and sometimes overlooked) risks between formal assessments.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how to conduct a basic fire safety walkthrough and highlight the issues that are most commonly missed, even in well-managed properties.
Why Conduct Informal Walkthroughs?
Formal fire risk assessments are typically carried out annually by a qualified assessor. But a lot can change in a year. Tenants move in and out, contractors complete works, layouts are altered, and people naturally become complacent over time.
Regular informal checks can help you:
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Spot problems before they escalate
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Reinforce a culture of safety in your building
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Prevent enforcement action for obvious non-compliance
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Support your formal assessments with real-time observations
It’s not a substitute for professional inspections, but it’s an essential habit for those responsible for a site day-to-day.
What to Look For During a Walkthrough
1. Fire Doors Left Wedged Open
One of the most common fire safety breaches. Fire doors are designed to stop fire and smoke from spreading. Wedging them open, even “just for airflow”, completely defeats their purpose.
✅ What to do: Remove wedges immediately. Educate occupants about why it’s dangerous. Consider installing dormant hold-open devices or free-swing closers if ventilation is an ongoing issue.
2. Obstructed Escape Routes
Corridors, stairwells, and external exits must be kept clear at all times. Common obstructions include:
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Bicycles, prams, and delivery trollies
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Boxes of stock or equipment
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Rubbish bags awaiting collection
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Locked gates or doors without easy egress
✅ What to do: Remove obstructions on the spot and investigate why they’re accumulating. Signage, storage reviews, and regular reminders can help prevent recurrence.
3. Blocked or Inaccessible Fire Exits
Even if escape routes look clear, the final exit doors themselves may be:
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Locked or secured without a panic release
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Blocked by bins or vegetation
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Fitted with unsuitable locking mechanisms
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Difficult to open from the inside
✅ What to do: Open every exit door during your walkthrough. Check that it opens easily, fully, and without a key.
4. Damaged or Missing Fire Door Signage
All fire doors should have appropriate signs (e.g. “Fire Door Keep Shut”). Missing or unclear signage is not only non-compliant, it reduces the likelihood that users will treat the door correctly.
✅ What to do: Replace signs as needed. Ensure signage is present on both sides of the door and clearly visible.
5. Missing or Disconnected Smoke and Heat Detectors
In domestic settings, alarms might be disconnected, removed, or have expired batteries. In commercial premises, detectors may be covered or damaged.
✅ What to do: Check that alarms are in place, visibly intact, and not tampered with. Arrange formal testing if you suspect faults.
6. Fire Alarm Call Points Obstructed or Damaged
Manual call points (break glass units) should be:
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Clearly visible
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Easily reachable
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Free from obstruction
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Not damaged or tampered with
✅ What to do: Remove any signage, furniture, or boxes obstructing them. Report damage to your fire alarm maintenance contractor.
7. Riser Cupboards and Electrical Panels Blocked or Misused
Riser cupboards—often housing cables, pipework, or fire-stopping barriers—should never be used for storage. Doing so can introduce fuel to a vulnerable part of the building or damage critical fire barriers.
✅ What to do: Open all riser and utility cupboards and check for storage. Remove any items that don’t belong and make clear it’s not permitted.
8. Emergency Lighting Not Working or Missing
In dimly lit escape routes, stairwells, or basement areas, emergency lighting is vital if the power fails. Lights should be clearly marked, working, and tested regularly.
✅ What to do: Perform a basic function check (many emergency lights have a test button). Ensure they are clean, unobstructed, and clearly visible.
9. Damaged Intumescent Seals on Fire Doors
Fire doors should be fitted with intumescent strips and smoke seals around the edges. These expand in a fire to seal the door. If they’re damaged, painted over, or missing, the door’s performance is compromised.
✅ What to do: Visually inspect the seals on each door. Flag missing or damaged strips for urgent repair.
10. Evidence of Unauthorised Alterations or Refurbishment
Has someone drilled through a fire wall? Installed new cabling? Opened up a ceiling void?
Minor works, especially by tradespeople, can unintentionally breach compartmentation, allowing smoke and fire to spread.
✅ What to do: Watch for exposed cabling, new penetrations, or open voids. Any such changes should be checked and resealed with certified fire-stopping products.
How Often Should You Do a Walkthrough?
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High-occupancy or high-risk buildings (e.g. HMOs, schools, care homes): Weekly
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Offices, warehouses, and commercial spaces: Monthly
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After any major refurbishment or contractor visit: Immediately
Walkthroughs can be informal, but it’s useful to log your findings, even just as bullet points in a building diary or shared document. This helps track recurring issues and supports your fire safety audit trail.
Final Thoughts
Fire safety walkthroughs don’t need to be technical or time-consuming, but they are invaluable for spotting day-to-day risks that formal inspections might miss. If you’re a building manager, caretaker, or responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, regular visual checks should become second nature.
At Martyn Young Fireproofing Consultancy, we offer expert advice on fire protection and prevention measures, helping you stay compliant and protect your occupants.
Contact us today on 07585 896648