5 Hidden Fire Risks in Your Building And How a Fire Risk Assessment Can Catch Them
As a building manager, landlord, or responsible person, it’s easy to assume that if your fire alarm works and the extinguishers are in place, you’re covered. But fire risk isn’t always obvious. In fact, many of the most dangerous hazards are hidden, silently undermining your building’s fire safety strategy.
This blog post highlights five hidden fire risks and explains how a professional Fire Risk Assessment can help you catch and correct them before they become a threat — especially in offices, shared accommodation, care homes, and commercial buildings.
1. Compromised Fire Compartmentation
In care homes, HMOs, and offices, walls and floors are designed to contain fire and smoke — but over time, that protection can be unknowingly breached. Common causes include:
Unsealed cable or pipe penetrations
Poorly maintained riser cupboards
DIY modifications
A Fire Risk Assessment will flag areas where passive fire protection has been compromised, helping you plan for sealing, fire stopping, or repairs — all vital for keeping evacuation routes safe. At Assured, we don’t just identify the problems — we help you fix them. After completing your fire risk assessment, we work with you to resolve any issues and ensure your building is fully compliant and safe. Compartmentation Surveys are also available to help determine the most appropriate fire protection approach for your property.
2. Damaged or Non-Compliant Fire Doors
Fire doors are crucial to protecting escape routes, especially in multi-occupancy buildings and healthcare settings. Yet, we often find:
Worn-out seals
Doors that don't close properly
Gaps that exceed legal tolerances
Fire doors held open improperly
A thorough Fire Risk Assessment includes a check of your fire doors’ condition and functionality. Where needed, a specialist fire door inspection can follow up with a detailed review.
3. Inadequate Electrical Management
Offices and businesses rely heavily on electrical equipment — often sharing outlets, overloading extension leads or using old appliances. In shared accommodation, personal appliances add another layer of risk.
An FRA will assess:
Condition and placement of electrical installations
Overloaded sockets or dangerous wiring
PAT testing records (if applicable)
Combustible materials stored near electrical units
Electrical fire risk is one of the leading causes of workplace fires — and often completely avoidable with the right checks.
4. Poor Housekeeping and Storage Practices
From cluttered stairwells in flats to storage rooms in care homes, poor housekeeping can turn small incident into a major hazard. Hidden risks include:
Escape routes blocked by boxes, bins, or equipment
Flammable materials stored in boiler rooms or riser cupboards
Cleaning products and aerosols stored without ventilation
An Fire Risk Assessment doesn’t just look at systems — it examines how your space is being used and maintained, so you can implement safer practices building-wide.
5. Outdated Emergency Plans and Signage
Even if your building is physically compliant, outdated fire safety information can cause chaos during an emergency. This is particularly dangerous in care homes, healthcare facilities and schools where occupants may need assistance to evacuate, and in multi-tenant buildings, where people reply on clear guidance.
Your FRA will check:
Whether escape signage is visible and up to date
If Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are in place
Whether evacuation drills and training have been documented
Remember: compliance isn’t just about systems — it’s also about preparedness.
Why a Professional Fire Risk Assessment Matters
A legally compliant Fire Risk Assessment doesn’t just tick a box — it gives you a clear picture of your building’s strengths and weaknesses. Our assessments are:
Carried out by qualified fire safety professionals
Tailored to your building type and occupancy
Delivered with clear, actionable reports
Designed to help you meet legal obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Whether you manage a block of flats, run a care home, or oversee commercial premises, a FRA is the first step to protecting lives, safeguarding property, and staying compliant.
Contact Us!
Don't wait for an inspection - or a real emergency. Book your Fire Risk Assessment today and take a proactive step towards full compliance.
5 Hidden Fire Risks in Your Building And How a Fire Risk Assessment Can Catch Them
As a building manager, landlord, or responsible person, it’s easy to assume that if your fire alarm works and the extinguishers are in place, you’re covered. But fire risk isn’t always obvious. In fact, many of the most dangerous hazards are hidden, silently undermining your building’s fire safety strategy.
This blog post highlights five hidden fire risks and explains how a professional Fire Risk Assessment can help you catch and correct them before they become a threat — especially in offices, shared accommodation, care homes, and commercial buildings.
1. Compromised Fire Compartmentation
In care homes, HMOs, and offices, walls and floors are designed to contain fire and smoke — but over time, that protection can be unknowingly breached. Common causes include:
A Fire Risk Assessment will flag areas where passive fire protection has been compromised, helping you plan for sealing, fire stopping, or repairs — all vital for keeping evacuation routes safe. At Assured, we don’t just identify the problems — we help you fix them. After completing your fire risk assessment, we work with you to resolve any issues and ensure your building is fully compliant and safe. Compartmentation Surveys are also available to help determine the most appropriate fire protection approach for your property.
2. Damaged or Non-Compliant Fire Doors
Fire doors are crucial to protecting escape routes, especially in multi-occupancy buildings and healthcare settings. Yet, we often find:
A thorough Fire Risk Assessment includes a check of your fire doors’ condition and functionality. Where needed, a specialist fire door inspection can follow up with a detailed review.
3. Inadequate Electrical Management
Offices and businesses rely heavily on electrical equipment — often sharing outlets, overloading extension leads or using old appliances. In shared accommodation, personal appliances add another layer of risk.
An FRA will assess:
Electrical fire risk is one of the leading causes of workplace fires — and often completely avoidable with the right checks.
4. Poor Housekeeping and Storage Practices
From cluttered stairwells in flats to storage rooms in care homes, poor housekeeping can turn small incident into a major hazard. Hidden risks include:
An Fire Risk Assessment doesn’t just look at systems — it examines how your space is being used and maintained, so you can implement safer practices building-wide.
5. Outdated Emergency Plans and Signage
Even if your building is physically compliant, outdated fire safety information can cause chaos during an emergency. This is particularly dangerous in care homes, healthcare facilities and schools where occupants may need assistance to evacuate, and in multi-tenant buildings, where people reply on clear guidance.
Your FRA will check:
Remember: compliance isn’t just about systems — it’s also about preparedness.
Why a Professional Fire Risk Assessment Matters
A legally compliant Fire Risk Assessment doesn’t just tick a box — it gives you a clear picture of your building’s strengths and weaknesses. Our assessments are:
Whether you manage a block of flats, run a care home, or oversee commercial premises, a FRA is the first step to protecting lives, safeguarding property, and staying compliant.
Contact Us!
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