Common Fire Hazard Examples in Facilities Management – and How to Fix Them
In order to maintain safe, compliant, and operationally efficient premises in facilities management (FM), understanding the most common fire hazard examples is essential. Whether you’re managing a single commercial unit or a portfolio of mixed-use buildings, identifying and rectifying fire safety hazards can significantly reduce the risk of fire and prevent costly downtime, reputational damage, or harm to building occupants.
In this blog, we’ll outline the most common examples of fire hazards found during a fire risk assessment in FM environments and provide clear, actionable solutions to help you eliminate or control them.
Top fire hazard examples found in FM fire risk assessments
A thorough fire risk assessment highlights potential hazards that may otherwise go unnoticed in daily operations. Facilities managers are often responsible for multiple tenants, contractors, or sites – all with varying layouts and safety standards.
Below are the most common issues we see across commercial premises, offices, multi-occupancy buildings, and retail environments.
Blocked escape routes and poor signage
In a fire emergency, safe and efficient evacuation is paramount. Yet many buildings suffer from blocked or cluttered escape routes, particularly in back-of-house areas, corridors, or stairwells. As well as that, poor or missing fire signage can also cause confusion, especially in larger or older premises.
How to fix it:
- Conduct regular walk-throughs and fire drills to monitor exit routes.
- Ensure contractors and cleaning teams don’t block escape paths with equipment or waste.
- Upgrade signage to comply with current standards (e.g. photoluminescent signs).
- Position signs clearly at eye level and ensure arrows and symbols are understood by all staff, including non-native English speakers.
- Reinforce clearway policies through tenant contracts and site inductions.
Overloaded electrical systems and extension leads
Electrical faults remain one of the leading causes of workplace fires. In FM settings, extension leads and multi-gang sockets are often used as a quick fix for a lack of permanent outlets, especially in older buildings or temporary workspaces. Overloading circuits or daisy-chaining extension leads greatly increases the fire risk.
How to fix it:
- Schedule periodic PAT testing for all portable equipment and appliances.
- Arrange fixed wire testing (EICR) every 5 years or as required by occupancy type.
- Educate tenants and staff on the dangers of overloading sockets.
- Remove high-risk or unauthorised extension leads.
- Install additional fixed outlets in frequently overloaded areas.
Improper fire door usage or damage
Fire doors are a critical part of any passive fire protection strategy. However, doors are often wedged open, damaged, or poorly maintained, especially in high-traffic environments like stairwells or delivery areas. This renders them ineffective in containing smoke and flames.
How to fix it:
- Conduct routine inspections of all fire doors, frames, and intumescent strips.
- Fit automatic closers and hold-open devices that release on alarm activation.
- Replace damaged seals or hardware immediately.
- Display ‘Fire Door Keep Shut’ signage and educate occupants on compliance.
- Introduce reporting processes for maintenance teams or occupiers.
Combustible storage in plant rooms or escape routes
We frequently identify fire hazards linked to the storage of flammable materials – often where they shouldn’t be. Cardboard boxes, cleaning chemicals, or packaging materials are sometimes stored in boiler rooms, risers, or near exits, thus creating an unnecessary risk.
How to fix it:
- Clearly define fire-safe storage zones within each building.
- Consider locking plant rooms and restricting access to authorised personnel.
- Remove combustible waste daily or introduce scheduled collections.
- Label and separate hazardous materials in accordance with COSHH guidance.
- Include storage audits within cleaning and security protocols.
Inadequate fire extinguishers or emergency equipment
A surprising number of buildings either lack appropriate fire extinguishers or have equipment that’s expired, poorly maintained, or unsuitable for the type of risk present (e.g. using water extinguishers in electrical rooms).
How to fix it:
- Commission a full fire extinguisher survey to determine the type, location, and quantity needed.
- Schedule regular servicing in line with BS 5306-3.
- Install correct signage above each extinguisher and provide user training.
- Ensure fire blankets and emergency equipment are present where needed (e.g. in kitchens).
- Log checks via digital compliance software or monthly FM inspections.
Poor housekeeping and waste management
Flammable waste materials left to accumulate – especially in bin stores, stairwells, or under staircases – pose a serious fire risk. Poor separation of general and recycling waste also contributes to risk in shared buildings.
How to fix it:
- Develop strict cleaning and waste disposal procedures.
- Assign accountability to on-site FM teams, cleaning contractors, or tenants.
- Install secure external waste enclosure to prevent fire spreading.
- Reduce packaging at the source or introduce recycling compactors.
- Conduct spot-checks and audits in high-risk accumulation zones.
How to reduce the risk of fire hazards in your building
Addressing individual hazards is important, but embedding fire safety into your building’s culture and maintenance regime is essential for long-term risk reduction. Some ways you can do this include:
- Establishing a fire safety culture – everyone within the premises – from tenants and visitors to maintenance teams – should understand their fire safety responsibilities. This includes avoiding unsafe practices (e.g. wedging open fire doors), reporting hazards, and participating in drills.
- Regular fire risk assessments – schedule comprehensive fire risk assessments annually or whenever significant changes occur. Choose an assessor with commercial FM experience and a track record of dealing with complex sites, like TVF.
- Defined occupier responsibilities – in multi-tenanted buildings, clarity is vital. Ensure lease agreements, occupier handbooks, and onboarding processes include fire safety protocols and responsibilities.
- Training and communication – provide fire safety training to on-site staff, and keep all parties informed of upcoming maintenance, assessments, or upgrades that may impact fire risk.
Book a fire risk assessment with TVF today
Whether you’re responsible for a single building or a national portfolio, proactive fire safety management is non-negotiable. At TVF, we work closely with facilities managers, estate teams, and managing agents to carry out expert fire risk assessments tailored to your operational environment.
Our team will identify and help rectify fire safety hazards – whether its blocked exits, electrical faults, or poor fire door compliance. We don’t just highlight risks; we provide practical, cost-effective solutions to fix them and ensure full compliance with UK regulations.
Be sure to get in touch with us today to book a fire risk assessment or to speak to our team about fire safety support across your estate.
Fire hazard FAQs
- What’s the risk of fire hazards being overlooked in managed buildings?
- Overlooked fire hazards can result in delayed evacuation, rapid fire spread, or non-compliance with UK fire safety laws. In multi-tenant buildings, poor coordination between occupants and property managers increases the chance that these hazards go unnoticed. This not only endangers life but can lead to legal enforcement, fines, and reputational damage.
- How do fire hazards differ from fire risks?
- A fire hazard is the potential source of ignition or fuel – like faulty wiring or flammable waste. A fire risk, however, is the likelihood of that hazard causing harm. Fire risk assessments evaluate both: identifying hazards and analysing how likely they are to lead to injury or property damage.
- Who is responsible for managing fire hazards in a shared building?
- Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the ‘Responsible Person’ is legally required to manage fire hazards. In shared buildings, this responsibility may be split between the building owner, facilities manager, and tenants. Clear allocation of duties in lease agreements or fire safety strategies helps prevent confusion and ensures compliance.
- What’s an example of a fire hazard in a commercial office or retail unit?
- A common example is overloaded plug sockets powering multiple devices or displays, especially where portable extension leads are daisy-chained. This creates overheating risks and is often missed during day-to-day operations. Routine electrical inspections and tenant awareness campaigns help reduce these fire hazard examples.
