Is Your Business Fire Safety Compliant for 2026?

Given up on your New Year’s resolutions already? There’s no judgement here. From our point of view, the only commitment you really need to stick to in 2026 is looking after the safety of your business and everyone who works for you.

And January is always a good time to hit the reset button, to take stock and review what you could be doing better. For example, when it comes to your company’s fire safety, you might find you have equipment that’s somehow missed a service, insurance that needs renewing, or simply new hires who aren’t yet up to speed with your evacuation plans.

But don’t get overwhelmed! We’ve written this article to remind you of your fire safety responsibilities and exactly what you need to do to make sure your business is in line with all the latest regulations. And if you need a little more help, just get in touch and our experienced engineers at Midland Fire can come and assess your commercial site in person. So, let’s get started!

Fire Safety Compliance and Responsibilities for Employers in 2026

At a glance, fire safety measures for all types of workplace include (but are not limited to):

• An up-to-date fire risk assessment
• A suitable fire detection and fire alarm system
• A designated ‘Responsible Person’
• Staff fire safety training and allocated fire wardens
• An evacuation plan and regular planned fire drills
• Fire extinguishers
• Emergency lighting
• Fire doors
• The correct fire safety signage
• Disabled refuge systems (for multi-storey buildings)
• Maintenance plans and equipment testing schedules in place

The official regulations for fire safety in the workplace are detailed in The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. But it’s always best to hire an experienced fire safety contractor to advise you on which legal obligations apply to your company specifically, as the rules are sometimes complex and will differ depending on your business and type of workplace.

For example, where it’s stated that ‘a suitable fire detection and alarm system’ is needed, the type of system can vary based on your business. If you run a large warehouse, this could mean a full fire alarm system with all the bells and whistles. But if your business property is just a small office space, your system could simply be instructing your staff to shout “fire” in case of an emergency, alerting everyone present this way. Your contractor will help decide what’s right for you in your FRA (more on that later).

The correct maintenance of your existing systems is also key. To keep your fire alarm system fully compliant, the guidelines state that it needs a professional service at least every six months, and your contractor can advise you on how often your other equipment needs servicing too.

Fire Safety Risk Assessments

So, what does a Fire Risk Assessment entail? It’s a legal requirement to have an up-to-date fire risk assessment for your commercial space, so this is your first step towards making sure your business is fully compliant. Now’s a great time to check that yours is still valid.

The assessment should be carried out regularly – every 12 months is a good idea, or sooner if there are any substantial changes to your property. A trained engineer will thoroughly inspect your business premises to identify potential hazards and anyone within your company who is particularly at risk. They’ll then outline the fire safety measures and management policies you need to reduce the risk of those hazards causing harm and to fully ensure the safety of all staff and visitors.

If your business employs five or more people, you must keep a written record of your FRA and correctly log its date. As a full service provider, our team at Midland Fire can also go on to install the right equipment to meet the requirements of your FRA and improve fire safety at your workplace.

Fire Safety Systems Every Workplace Should Review

The start of the year is also a natural time to test all your fire safety systems and check if any of your equipment is due a service. As we mentioned, legally, you need to make sure your fire safety systems are kept well maintained, so if you don’t already have maintenance plans in place, now’s the time to set them up.

The fire safety equipment in question could be:

• Fire alarm systems – detectors and sounders
• Emergency lighting
• Fire extinguishers
• Voice call systems
• PA systems / voice alarms
• Fire suppression systems and sprinklers
• Fire safety accessories and signage

Fire Safety Training and Staff Awareness

It’s also important to remember that your staff are key to the fire safety and smooth evacuation of your property. So ask yourself, do you have any new staff members after Christmas that need to be trained on your fire safety plan? Could any of your current staff use a refresher? Do you have regular fire drills scheduled in? Don’t forget, it’s the law to provide staff training on fire safety at your business, so make sure you’re on top of that as priority for 2026.

Plus, the regulations state that every business in the UK must have a designated ‘Responsible Person’ who oversees the FRA and looks after fire safety as a whole, and at least one fire warden should be appointed. A fire safety plan should also be in place and accessible for every member of staff, which is something else worth checking this month.

Common Fire Safety Gaps Found at the Start of the Year

So let’s recap on some of the issues that often go unchecked until they’re picked up during January audits:

• Out of date fire risk assessments
• Lapsed maintenance contracts
• Untrained staff
• Missing documentation
• Changes to property not captured

Dips in your fire safety compliance could put your business at risk of hefty fines and insurance breaches, not to mention you’d be compromising the safety of your staff and property. Act now to make sure you’re on top of fire safety at your business and fully prepared for a safe and secure year ahead!

Fire Safety Support Across the UK from Midland Fire

So how can we help here at Midland Fire? We’re a BAFE-accredited fire safety company with years of experience keeping businesses compliant across all sectors. Our experienced engineers are able to assess your property and carry out a full fire risk assessment, to make sure you have the right measures in place to keep your business as safe as it can be.

We can also design and install your fire alarm systems and help you keep them properly maintained throughout the year. We’ll provide support and the correct documentation throughout the process – with us, you know you’re in safe hands.

At Midland Fire WE PROTECT. Contact us today for your free consultation.

Your Burning Questions Answered

What are my fire safety responsibilities as a business owner in 2026?
In 2026, UK businesses still have the same core legal responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In a nutshell, you must appoint a ‘Responsible Person’, identify fire risks through a professional FRA, put appropriate safety measures in place, and keep your fire safety systems well maintained. Key fire safety equipment includes fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting, signage and voice call systems, and what you need will depend on your business. You must also ensure a fire safety plan is in place and that staff are fully trained on your evacuation procedure.

How often should my commercial fire alarm system be serviced?
To keep your employees, property and assets safe, your ‘Responsible Person’ should test your fire alarms weekly and you should hire a professional to carry out a full system inspection at least twice a year as per the BS 5839 standards.

How often should I carry out a Fire Risk Assessment at my business property?
There’s no fixed rule on how often your FRA needs to be carried out, but it is obligatory to review yours regularly and always make sure it’s up to date. An annual FRA is generally best practice for most businesses, and if your property undergoes any significant changes or any incidents occur, you’ll need to look at it sooner.

Do my staff need fire safety training, and how often?
Yes, employers are legally required to provide information, instruction and training to employees about fire precautions and procedures in their workplace. This training should include evacuation procedures, fire assembly points and how to report hazards.This is because well-trained staff will reduce panic, respond faster in emergencies and play a critical role in preventing small incidents from becoming major fires.

Can Midland Fire help me make sure my business is compliant for 2026?
Of course! We can carry out your Fire Risk Assessment and help you put in place all the fire safety measures you need to keep your business safe and compliant now and throughout the years to come.