It’s a common misconception: once your fire alarm system, extinguishers or emergency lighting are installed and signed off, you’re fully protected for years to come. But fire safety is not a “fit and forget” task.
Buildings evolve, sometimes gradually, sometimes overnight. Offices get rearranged, staff numbers increase, storage piles up in new areas, and tenancies change. And when that happens, your once-compliant fire safety measures may no longer be suitable.
In this article, we explain why ongoing maintenance and regular review are essential, and how failing to adapt your fire strategy can leave people and property at serious risk.
Buildings Change, Your Fire Risk Changes Too
Even subtle changes in your building’s layout, use or occupancy can have a big impact on fire safety. Consider the following examples:
New Layouts and Furniture
That open-plan office you fitted with a clear evacuation route? It now has extra desks, dividers and storage units, blocking sightlines and altering how people exit the building.
Increased Headcount
A growing team means more people to evacuate, and possibly more personal electrical equipment, too. That can increase both the fire load and the evacuation time.
Internal Renovations
Moved a door, created a new meeting room, or repurposed a cupboard? Any changes to compartmentation, exit routes or signage can affect your overall fire strategy.
New Tenants or Business Types
If a low-risk office becomes a retail shop or beauty salon, the risk profile changes entirely, especially if heat-producing equipment or flammable materials are introduced.
Storage Creep
What starts as temporary storage in a corridor or stairwell can become permanent and dangerously obstructive.
When ‘Compliant’ Becomes ‘Non-Compliant’
Just because your system was compliant at the time of installation doesn’t mean it still meets UK fire safety law. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, you’re legally required to ensure that your fire precautions are appropriate and up to date.
That includes:
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A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment
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Correct types and locations of fire detectors and alarms
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Unobstructed escape routes
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Functional emergency lighting
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Regularly serviced extinguishers and fire doors
If the environment has changed but the fire precautions haven’t, you may be unknowingly in breach of your duties as a responsible person.
Why Routine Maintenance Matters
Fire safety equipment isn’t designed to be left alone for years. Components can degrade, fail, or fall out of spec, especially in dusty, damp, or busy environments.
Key reasons for maintenance include:
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Batteries fade – in alarms, detectors, and emergency lights
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Extinguishers lose pressure or corrode internally
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Smoke detectors clog with dust or lose sensitivity over time
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Call points and sounders can be damaged or disconnected during renovations
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Signage fades or becomes obscured by new fixtures
Regular servicing by a competent person ensures your system will work when it’s needed most, and remains compliant with British Standards (e.g. BS 5839 for fire alarms, BS 5306 for extinguishers).
The Case for Ongoing Reviews
Best practice is not just about maintenance, but monitoring. You should:
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Review your fire risk assessment annually or sooner if major changes occur
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Inspect escape routes regularly to check for new obstructions or misuse
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Walk the building with your fire strategy in mind—are exits still visible? Are the signs accurate?
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Check fire doors for wear, warping, or damage to seals and closers
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Update your fire evacuation plan if staffing, layout, or access arrangements change
A Real-World Example
A shared office building in Manchester installed a compliant fire alarm system in 2015. Over time, it added new tenants, including a podcast studio with soundproofing, a hairdresser using flammable aerosols, and a bike repair workshop.
None of these changes were considered in the fire risk assessment. As a result:
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Fire loads increased significantly
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The alarm system didn’t have the correct detector types for the new risks
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Escape routes were partly obstructed by new furniture
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Fire extinguishers weren’t appropriate for the added hazards
Only when a small electrical fire occurred, and the alarm failed to activate in one zone, was the gap in protection discovered.
Final Thoughts
Fire safety isn’t something you “tick off” once and forget. It’s a living system that needs care, attention, and regular review.
As buildings change, so do the risks. A system that was perfect at installation may become unfit for purpose, without anyone realising. That’s why proactive maintenance, regular inspections, and updated risk assessments are not just best practice, but essential.
Need help reviewing your fire safety arrangements? Contact Martyn Young Fireproofing Consultancy on 07585 896648, for expert advice on fire protection and prevention measures.