According to the London Fire Brigade, a staggering 60% of businesses never recover after experiencing a fire. It’s a sobering statistic and one that becomes even more concerning when you learn that 423 workplace fires are reported each week in the UK, many of which are entirely preventable. Faulty or misused electrical equipment accounts for 25% of these incidents, making it the leading cause of workplace fires.
So, who holds the responsibility when it comes to fire safety at work and what can be done to protect staff, property and the future of your business?
This blog explores your legal obligations, the importance of risk assessments and why routine safety measures such as PAT testing (or now also known as EET or Electrical Equipment Testing) can give you complete peace of mind.
Understanding Fire Safety Law
In the UK, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places the responsibility for fire safety on a designated person or group within the organisation commonly referred to as the “Responsible Person.”
This could be:
- An employer
- The owner or landlord of the premises
- An occupier
- Anyone else with control over part of the premises (such as a facilities manager)
The Responsible Person must ensure that all fire safety duties are carried out, including:
- Conducting regular fire risk assessments
- Implementing appropriate fire safety measures
- Maintaining fire safety equipment (e.g. extinguishers, alarms)
- Ensuring that staff are trained in evacuation procedures
- Keeping up-to-date documentation and records
It does sound like a time-consuming tick list but rest assured, it’s one of the most important health and safety aspects at work and failure to meet these legal requirements can result in enforcement notices, hefty fines or even imprisonment, not to mention the devastating human and financial cost if you have a fire at work.
Fire risk assessments are your first line of defence
A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for virtually all commercial premises and should be reviewed regularly, especially when the building, equipment or operations change.
A comprehensive assessment should identify:
- Fire hazards (e.g. heat sources, flammable materials)
- People at risk (e.g. staff, visitors, vulnerable individuals)
- Fire prevention strategies
- Emergency plans and procedures
The findings must be documented and any necessary actions should be promptly addressed to reduce the risk of fire as far as is reasonably possible.
Why is PAT testing so important?
As we mentioned before, electrical faults top the list of workplace fire causes. Electrical Equipment Testing (EET) which is also known as Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) plays a vital role in your fire prevention strategy. In this blog, we’ll use the abbreviation PAT as it’s the more commonly used term even though EET reflects the broader scope of the process.
PAT testing involves the routine inspection and testing of electrical appliances to ensure they are safe to use. This includes everything from kettles and microwaves to computers and power tools and the engineer completing the inspection will normally:
- Check plugs for signs of damage then taken apart to check what condition they are in and thus fix anything fixable
- Check fuse rating
- Cable assessment for signs of damage
- Check the appliance for any damage that could be a safety risk
- Give a pass or fail verdict
On completion, you should be sent an inspection report within 24 hours which will include your failed items.
Benefits of regular PAT testing:
- Reduces fire risk by identifying faults before they become dangerous
- Ensures compliance with Health & Safety at Work legislation
- May be required by insurers or for regulatory inspections
- Demonstrates your commitment to staff safety
While PAT testing is not a legal requirement in itself, it is often the most effective way to meet your legal obligations under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
Fire safety protects your business and people
Fire safety isn’t just about compliance though, it’s about care, responsibility and prevention. A fire can devastate a business in minutes, yet many of the most common risks are entirely avoidable through regular checks, maintenance, and awareness.
Our key takeaways for your business would be to:
- Assign a responsible person
- Conduct regular fire risk assessments
- Implement fire safety policies and training
- Keep electrical equipment PAT tested and maintained
- Maintain records and stay up to date with legislation
Sussex Facilities Management can support your business with fire safety assessments, PAT testing and tailored compliance solutions to keep your people and premises protected.
