End-of-Year Fire And Security Checks For Compliance And Safety
As the year draws to a close, business priorities often shift to finishing projects and preparing for the new year. However, this is a critical period for fire and security safety that should not be overlooked.
The end of the year brings unique risks, from increased electrical usage for heating and festive decorations to buildings being left unoccupied for extended periods over the holidays. These factors can create a significant risk of fire and security incidents, making it vital to take preventive action.
Auditing your fire and security systems now is essential to protect your people, property and ensure you remain compliant with UK regulations. As part of this process, it is important to assess and evaluate your current fire and security measures to identify any vulnerabilities or areas needing improvement.
This guide from our experts at Full Circuit Fire & Security will walk you through the key legal obligations, system checks, and best practices for your end-of-year fire and security checks. Following these steps will give you peace of mind and set you up for a safe and secure year ahead.
Why End-of-Year Fire And Security Checks Are Important
The winter and holiday season introduces specific hazards that can elevate the risk of fire and security breaches. Office events, temporary decorations, and additional heating equipment all place extra strain on electrical systems.
At the same time, reduced staffing levels or complete site closures mean premises are often left empty for longer than usual, making them more vulnerable to undetected faults or intrusions. Fire risks are particularly heightened during this season due to increased use of electrical devices and festive materials.
Proactive end-of-year checks are a crucial component of planned preventative maintenance (PPM). Ensuring your fire alarms, emergency lighting, CCTV, and intruder alarms are fully operational is not just good practice; it’s a fundamental part of risk management.
Proper checks help maintain compliance with legal and insurance obligations, reduce the likelihood of costly incidents, and provide the assurance that your business is protected during this high-risk period. To learn more about this compliance, see our post Legal Requirements For Fire Alarm Maintenance In The Workplace.
Implementing daily checks is essential to keep people safe, ensuring that emergency exits and safety equipment remain accessible and functional throughout the season.
Legal Requirements & Compliance For Fire And Security Checks
Staying on top of your legal duties is non-negotiable when it comes to fire and security. In the UK, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a direct responsibility on the designated ‘Responsible Person’ to ensure all fire safety measures are maintained in efficient working order. This includes regular testing and servicing of fire alarms, emergency lighting, and fire extinguishers.
To understand these regulations better, see our post Understanding UK Fire Safety Regulations for Businesses.
For security systems, compliance is often dictated by insurance policies and data protection laws. Insurers may require proof that your intruder alarm is fully operational and monitored, while CCTV systems must adhere to GDPR and Data Protection Act guidelines regarding data capture and retention.
Keeping detailed, up-to-date records of all inspections, tests, and maintenance activities is essential for demonstrating compliance and can be vital in the event of an insurance claim or a regulatory audit.
Be sure to record all relevant details, such as emergency escape lighting, fire alarm systems, signage, and maintenance routines, and use a compliance form where required.
Key Fire Safety Checks This Season
A thorough end-of-year review is essential to confirm your fire safety systems are ready for the months ahead. It is important to carry out fire and security checks to ensure all systems are functioning properly. Here are the key areas to focus on:
Always perform these checks safely to minimise risks and maintain a secure environment.
Fire Alarms
Test all manual call points, automatic smoke or heat detectors, and smoke alarms to ensure they trigger the alarm system correctly. Check the main control panel for any fault indicators and verify that its backup battery is functional. If your fire alarm system is due for professional servicing, schedule it before the holiday shutdown.
To ensure that you are testing fire alarms properly during your fire and security checks, see our post How To Test Commercial Fire Alarms & Smoke Detectors.
Emergency Lighting
Conduct a full test of your emergency lighting to ensure all units illuminate escape routes clearly. Check that the backup batteries last for the required duration (typically three hours) and that coverage is adequate, especially in areas where layouts may have changed, ensuring lighting is effective during the night for safe evacuation.
Fire Doors & Escape Routes
Inspect all fire doors to confirm they close securely and are not wedged open. Walk every escape route to ensure it is completely clear of obstructions like boxes, furniture, or seasonal decorations. Fire exit signage and signs must be visible and correctly illuminated.
Fire Risk Assessment Review
Review and evaluate your fire risk assessment to account for any seasonal hazards, such as portable heaters or Christmas lights. Update the assessment if there have been changes to your building’s layout, occupancy levels, or work processes.
Staff Training & Awareness
Remind all staff, including temporary or seasonal workers, of the evacuation procedures. Staff should be able to answer questions about evacuation procedures, including how many people are present and need to be accounted for during an emergency.
Ensure everyone knows the location of fire exits and assembly points. A quick refresher can make a significant difference in an emergency.
Key Security System Checks
With premises often empty over the holidays, verifying your security measures is equally important. Scheduling a professional fire and security checks service or arranging a visit from trained personnel ensures all your security systems are thoroughly assessed and up to date.
These checks will help safeguard your property against unauthorised access and theft.
Intruder Alarms
Test all sensors, including door contacts and motion detectors across your intruder alarms, to ensure they are working correctly. Activate the system to check that sirens and any external notifications are triggered.
If you have a monitored system, confirm the connection to the alarm receiving centre is active.
CCTV Systems
Review camera footage to verify that all critical areas are covered and that images are clear. Check recording equipment to ensure it has sufficient storage and is saving footage correctly.
Make sure your data retention policy is compliant with GDPR, and that you are not storing recordings for longer than necessary.
To determine whether CCTV is the right choice for your property, see our post How To Protect Your Small Business With CCTV Surveillance.
Access Control
Access control is a vital part of business security, as we outline in our post How Access Control Systems Can Improve Workplace Security, and therefore needs to be maintained.
During your fire and security checks, test all card readers, keypads, and biometric systems to ensure they are granting or denying access correctly. Review access logs for any unusual activity. If staff have left during the year, ensure their access credentials have been revoked.
Perimeter Security
Physically inspect all gates, fences, locks, and external lighting. A well-maintained perimeter is your first line of defence, so repair any damage and replace any faulty lighting to deter potential intruders.
Documentation Review
Go through your security logs and maintenance records. Document any incidents, faults, or checks performed during your audit to maintain a complete history for compliance and future reference.
Be sure to include any referrals made for additional services or support in your documentation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Fire And Security Checks
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make simple mistakes that compromise your safety. Here are some common oversights to avoid:
- Ignoring Minor Faults: A small issue with a fire alarm panel or a faulty CCTV camera can quickly become a major liability. Address all faults immediately, as they could increase the risk of hazards such as arson.
- Obstructed Escape Routes: Holiday decorations, stored stock, or temporary furniture can block exits. Always keep escape routes completely clear.
- Outdated Risk Assessments: Your fire and security risks change over time. Failing to update your assessments to reflect new layouts or seasonal hazards leaves you exposed.
- Poor Documentation: Not recording inspections, tests, and maintenance activities makes it impossible to prove compliance and can lead to issues with insurers or regulators.
How Full Circuit Fire & Security Can Help
Managing end-of-year fire and security checks can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Full Circuit Fire & Security, we provide professional audits to ensure your systems are fully compliant and ready for the year ahead. Our BAFE-accredited and SSAIB-certified team helps businesses across the North West protect their assets and meet their legal obligations.
We are committed to supporting our local community by offering a free tool for fire and security checks, making it easy and accessible for everyone to assess their safety needs. Our team provides personalised advice during home and business visits, ensuring that each client receives tailored recommendations based on their unique situation. Certain clients may also be eligible for additional support or targeted services, depending on their risk level or community status.
We offer tailored maintenance packages for ongoing monitoring, servicing, and system updates, giving you complete peace of mind. Our experts can help you identify seasonal risks, conduct thorough inspections, and provide the documentation needed to prove compliance. To learn more about these services, see our post Upgrade Your Protection: The Benefits of Our Fire & Security Maintenance Services.
Let us handle the complexities of fire and security so you can focus on running your business.
Conclusion
Don’t wait until the holiday rush begins. Proactively scheduling your end-of-year fire and security safety checks is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your people, property, and your business’s future.
A comprehensive audit ensures you remain compliant and can enjoy the holiday season knowing your premises are safe. Take action now to stay safe and protect both your household and your business from potential fire and security risks.
Contact Us Today
Contact Full Circuit Fire & Security today to book a professional inspection, arrange system maintenance, or schedule a complete end-of-year review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should fire and security systems be tested?
UK regulations require fire alarm systems to be professionally serviced at least every six months. Weekly tests should also be carried out by the Responsible Person. For security systems, annual professional maintenance is standard, though insurance policies may have specific requirements. Regular visual checks should be done more frequently.
Who is responsible for fire and security compliance?
For fire safety, the ‘Responsible Person’, typically the business owner, employer, or facility manager,
is legally accountable for compliance. For security, responsibility usually lies with the business owner or property manager, who must ensure systems meet insurance and data protection standards.
Why are end-of-year fire and security checks particularly important?
End-of-year checks are crucial due to increased seasonal risks like extra electrical loads from heaters and decorations. Additionally, buildings are often left unoccupied for extended holiday periods, making them more vulnerable. These checks ensure your systems are prepared to handle these heightened risks.