Policy guidance - updated October 2024

Fire safety on the shop floor

What the law says.

Key legislation covering fire safety in the UK

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales

View legislation (UK Government website)

The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 in Scotland

View legislation (UK Government website)

The Fire Safety (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2010 in Northern Ireland

View legislation (UK Government website)

These require charities to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that a shop’s premises are safe for staff, volunteers and the public. They require appropriate measures to be in place to prevent and deal with a fire, and ensure the safe evacuation of everyone in the shop. Shops must carry out a fire risk assessment to identify and take action on potential fire hazards.

Fire Safety visits are usually pre-arranged with the responsible person. If an Officer visits due to an incident or complaint they should have made contact to ensure there is someone available at the premises who will be able to answer any questions they have. If dissatisfied with the premises, they have the power to demand improvements are made. If there are dangerous conditions which would put people at immediate risk of death or serious injury then a restriction of use (of certain areas, i.e., upper floor levels) or a full prohibition may be served until improvements are carried out. In extreme cases the charity may be prosecuted for unsafe conditions.

The Department for Communities and Local Government have produced several guidance documents (covering England and Wales) for fire safety in different types of settings, including offices and shops. These give a comprehensive, clear, step by step, approach of how to manage fire safety in a variety of settings, providing some clear examples to help explain specific situations.

Fire safety induction guides for staff and volunteers

A handy overview of in-store fire safety, this guide covers mandatory documents for shops, how a fire starts and spreads, the best ways to prevent a fire, what to do if there is a fire and an overview of fire safety equipment.