Returning to the Office? Beware of Hidden Fire & Security Risks

With employees returning to offices and companies adopting a more flexible, hybrid model of working, there are many potential fire and security risks that may not be apparent.

Here are some safety points to consider when staff are returning to the workplace:

1. Alterations to Building Layouts

With many employees returning to the workplace on a part-time basis, less desk space is now required. While this may be a great opportunity to repurpose the space for other uses such as collaborative zones, breakout or wellness areas, or even gym and workout spaces, these changes could pose many potential fire and security risks. There is also the possibility of covid safety measures such as one way systems and changes in desk arrangements due to social distancing, which similarly could lead to fire and security hazards. 

A new layout could impact the early detection of fire and unauthorised access and the positioning of equipment such as fire detection devices and extinguishers will not have been optimised for the new layout. If the company director or the ‘responsible individual’ does not carry out a new fire risk assessment once these layout changes have been implemented, they could breach fire regulations. Carrying out a fire risk assessment and checking security systems will ensure that any new layouts do not put your employees at risk.

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2. Fire Alarm Testing and Practices

Due to hybrid working, staff may miss out on fire safety training and fire alarm tests that should occur regularly in the workplace. It is important to provide staff with relevant training, especially for people who may take on responsibility in case of a fire or emergency.

This also involves making sure there are sufficient responsible ‘leaders’ in place on a given day, so that if an emergency should occur, there are always trained individuals who can take proper responsibility and action to combat a fire. This includes having knowledge of the fire panel and training on extinguisher management.

3. Unoccupied Office Spaces



Not all offices are back to business as usual and there may still be days when the whole office or parts of it are vacant. Just because there is no threat to life does not mean that there are no fire or security risks. There should still be monitoring in place on days when the office is unoccupied. It is also a legal requirement to declare if a building is unoccupied, however, any company that employs 5 people or more must install a fire alarm system, whether the building is occupied or not.