Good fire safety housekeeping practices reduce fire risks and help maintain the effectiveness of fire protection measures. For fire marshals and others with fire safety responsibilities, recognising and encouraging these practices is essential.
According to the Home Officeโs Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics, fire and rescue services in England attended 178,737 fires in the year ending March 2023. Alarmingly, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that up to 29% of workplace fires are directly linked to poor housekeeping.
This article explores what good fire safety housekeeping looks like and how to embed effective routines across the workplace.
What is fire safety โhousekeepingโ?
Fire safety housekeeping is the day-to-day practice of keeping a workplace tidy and organised to minimise fire hazards.
These are examples of poor housekeeping:
- Blocked fire exits or escape routes, such as storing boxes, equipment, or furniture in front of doors or corridors.
- Build-up of combustible waste, including paper, cardboard, wood offcuts, or packaging materials left in work areas or under stairwells.
- Improper storage of flammable and hazardous substances such as storing them near heat sources, in unlabelled containers, or without suitable ventilation.
- Overloaded or tangled electrical extension leads, which can overheat or spark.
- Oily rags or cleaning cloths left in open bins, increasing the risk of spontaneous combustion.
- Poor segregation of waste, such as combining general rubbish with flammable or hazardous materials.
- Blocked access to fire safety equipment, like fire extinguishers, hose reels, or fire alarm call points.
- Excessive clutter in plant rooms or electrical cupboards, where clear space is needed around equipment to prevent overheating and enable safe maintenance.
- Dust accumulation on machinery or electrical fittings, which can act as fuel if ignited.
- Storage of items too close to heaters, radiators, or light fittings, creating unnecessary ignition risks.
- Failure to clean kitchen appliances regularly, leading to grease build-up in workplace kitchens.
- Lack of regular housekeeping checks, so hazards go unnoticed or worsen over time.
Why are good fire safety housekeeping practices vital?
Good fire safety housekeeping practices:
- Reduce the risk of a fire starting
By keeping work areas clear of combustible materials, disposing of flammable waste properly, and avoiding electrical hazards such as overloaded sockets or damaged cables, the chances of ignition are significantly reduced. - Limit how quickly a fire can spread
Removing clutter, maintaining clear separation around heat sources, and ensuring fire doors are not wedged open or obstructed helps contain any fire that does start, slowing its spread through the building. - Support safe and fast evacuation
Keeping escape routes, stairwells, and fire exits clear of obstructions ensures that occupants can evacuate quickly and safely in an emergency, without delay or confusion.
Effective housekeeping helps to protect lives, property, and business continuity.
What are 3 good fire safety housekeeping practices?
Three of the most important fire safety housekeeping practices are:
1. Keeping escape routes and fire exits clear
Clear escape routes and accessible fire exits are critical for a safe and timely fire evacuation. Blocked or cluttered pathways can lead to confusion and slow down evacuation. In an emergency, delays of just a few seconds can make a significant difference.
Common causes of blocked escape routes include:
- Storing stock, furniture, or equipment in corridors or in front of fire doors
- Overflowing waste bins or deliveries left temporarily in passageways
- Locked or obstructed exit doors, particularly in storerooms or back-of-house areas.
To maintain safe evacuation routes, your fire safety housekeeping routines should include:
- Daily visual checks of all escape routes, stairwells, and exits
- Immediate removal of any obstructions or trip hazards
- Clear signage indicating escape routes and fire exit locations
- Regular testing to ensure fire doors open easily and are not wedged open or locked.
Fire doors and exit routes are part of your buildingโs life safety systems so they must always remain unobstructed.
2. Safe storage and disposal of combustible & flammable materials
Combustible and flammable materials are found in most workplaces and must be managed carefully to reduce the risk of fire. These include everyday items such as paper and cardboard waste, as well as more hazardous substances like cleaning chemicals, paints, oils, and fuels.
While paper waste is common, it can still act as a fuel source if left to build up or stored near ignition points.
Hazardous materials such as solvents, aerosols, and fuels should be:
- Clearly labelled and stored in suitable, fire-resistant containers
- Kept in designated, well-ventilated storage areas away from heat sources or open flames
- Separated from incompatible substances to prevent chemical reactions.
Waste bins should be emptied regularly, and materials like oily rags or used solvents should never be left in open containers or general waste bins. Waste should never be allowed to build up, especially near escape routes, stairwells, or electrical equipment.
3. Ensuring fire safety equipment remains accessible
Fire safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, alarm call points, fire blankets, and hose reels must always be clearly visible and easy to access.
In an emergency, quick access to fire safety equipment can make the difference between a minor incident and a major fire. If items are hidden behind furniture, blocked by stock, or difficult to locate, valuable time may be lost.
To ensure fire safety equipment remains accessible:
- Carry out routine visual inspections to confirm that extinguishers, alarms, and other equipment are not obstructed
- Always keep at least one metre of clear space around fire safety equipment.
- Avoid placing wall-mounted equipment or storage units where they could block alarms or fire safety signage from view.
- Label and highlight equipment locations clearly with standard signage and lighting
- Ensure all staff are trained to recognise, locate, and operate fire safety equipment confidently.
Additional housekeeping best practices
The following housekeeping best practices are also critical to fire safety:
Managing electrical hazards
Poorly maintained or overloaded electrical systems cause 25% of workplace fires.
Housekeeping should include regular checks to ensure that:
- Extension leads are not overloaded or daisy-chained
- Cables are not frayed, pinched, or running under carpets and furniture
- Portable appliances are switched off when not in use
- Electrical cabinets and switchgear are free from storage or dust accumulation.
Ensure that faulty equipment is reported and repaired promptly, and encourage a tidy, hazard-free environment around electrical installations.
Controlling dust and debris
Dust build-up โ especially in workshops, warehouses, or manufacturing environments โ can act as fuel and pose a serious fire risk if it accumulates around heat-producing machinery or in ventilation systems.
Good housekeeping includes:
- Regular cleaning of machinery, vents, and high surfaces where dust can settle
- Safe disposal of debris, shavings, or offcuts from manufacturing processes
- Ensuring ventilation and air filtration systems are cleaned and maintained.
Keeping plant rooms and riser cupboards clear
Plant rooms, electrical risers, and service cupboards are often overlooked but are high-risk areas. These spaces should never be used for general storage and must be kept clear of any materials that could ignite or obstruct access in an emergency.
Housekeeping measures should include:
- Regular inspections to confirm no unauthorised storage
- Signage reminding staff not to store items in these areas
- Access kept unobstructed for fire services and maintenance personnel.
Organising storage areas safely
Stockrooms, archives, and storerooms can become fire hazards if left disorganised. To maintain safety:
- Avoid stacking items too close to ceilings or light fittings
- Ensure heavy or bulky items donโt block ventilation or fire detection systems
- Keep shelving units secure and allow walkways between aisles.
Fire safety housekeeping outdoors
Good outdoor housekeeping is just as vital as maintaining safe conditions indoors. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), the responsible person must ensure that external escape routes and firefighting equipment remain accessible and effective.
Neglected external areas can delay firefighting, hinder evacuation, and increase the risk of arson. Almost 46% of fires attended by UK fire services in 2021/22 were arson-related, with deliberate fire setting the largest category of incidents. The impact on businesses is severe โ nearly 60% never recover after a major fire.
Key outdoor housekeeping measures:
- Keep hydrants and access points clear โ ensure fire hydrants, dry risers, and sprinkler controls are clearly marked, unobstructed, and accessible to responders.
- Manage waste and vegetation โ avoid the accumulation of combustible materials, bins, or overgrown shrubs near external walls, escape routes, or fire safety equipment. Keep bins locked and away from buildings to reduce arson risk.
- Enhance security and lighting โ install security lighting, perimeter fencing, or CCTV where appropriate; these are effective deterrents against arson.
- Include outdoor checks in inspections โ make outdoor areas part of your regular fire safety inspections to detect hazards early and address them proactively.
- Maintain external escape routes โ ensure exit routes and assembly areas remain clear, well-lit, and free from obstacles, enabling safe evacuation.
By implementing these measures, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of fire and improve emergency response.
Formalise fire safety housekeeping in your management plan
A fire safety management plan is your organisationโs structured approach to preventing fires, identifying hazards, and ensuring safe evacuation. To be effective, this plan should include clear, practical housekeeping measures that are carried out consistently and monitored over time.
Include housekeeping in risk assessments and fire safety procedures
Housekeeping should be considered a key control measure during fire risk assessments.
Any areas prone to clutter, poor storage, or waste build-up should be flagged and appropriate actions identified. These actions should be built into your fire safety procedures and clearly communicated to staff.
Create structured housekeeping checklists and schedules
Regular housekeeping checks should be formalised through written checklists and inspection schedules. For example:
- Daily visual checks to identify and remove fire hazards such as blocked exits, overloaded sockets, or combustible materials left near ignition sources.
- Weekly waste and storage checks to confirm proper disposal of flammable waste and safe storage of hazardous substances.
- Monthly audits to ensure that escape routes, fire doors, fire extinguishers, and alarm call points remain fully accessible and in good condition.
These checks should be recorded and reviewed regularly to identify and address issues and demonstrate compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO).
Assign clear responsibilities
Responsibility for housekeeping-related fire safety tasks should be assigned to specific roles within the organisation. This may include:
- Facilities teams to manage waste disposal, storage compliance, and maintenance of common areas.
- Team leaders or supervisors to carry out local checks and ensure staff follow housekeeping protocols.
- Fire wardens or responsible persons to oversee audits and report unresolved hazards.
Role descriptions should be explained in your fire safety policy or internal procedures, with appropriate training provided.
Monitor and improve over time
Use your audit findings, incident reports, and employee feedback to review and improve your housekeeping measures. Track corrective actions, identify patterns of non-compliance, and make data-informed adjustments to improve your fire safety management plan.
Consider using external fire safety services
Fire safety consultants can review your housekeeping practices as part of a wider fire risk assessment or compliance review. They may identify overlooked hazards, recommend improvements, or help you update your fire safety management plan in line with best practice and legal requirements.
Encourage a culture of good fire safety housekeeping
In addition to formal processes, it is important to build fire safety awareness into daily routines. When employees understand how their daily actions contribute to fire prevention, good housekeeping becomes a natural part of your workplace culture.
Provide targeted fire safety training
Train all employees on the link between housekeeping and fire prevention. Ensure they understand:
- What fire hazards to look for (e.g. blocked exits, waste build-up, unsafe storage)
- Their responsibilities under your fire safety policy
- How to report hazards or correct them safely.
Our Fire Safety Training at Praxis42 helps organisations build this foundation of fire safety awareness, reinforcing legal duties and practical fire prevention behaviours.
Integrate checks into daily routines
Integrate housekeeping checks into existing workflows. For example:
- Use a simple checklist to confirm fire exits are clear, equipment is accessible, and storage areas are tidy
- Assign defined zones to team leaders or fire marshals for daily walk-throughs
- Use digital forms or laminated checklists to make inspections easy and consistent
This approach ensures fire safety becomes a regular habit, integrated into the way your organisation operates.
Use visual reminders and clear signage
Place clear signs near fire exits, equipment, and storage areas reminding staff to keep them clear and hazard-free.
Colour-coded floor markings and wall posters โ such as red lines to mark no-storage zones or yellow for walkways โ can visually reinforce safe housekeeping practices and make it easier for staff to identify where items should or should not be placed. This is especially helpful in high-risk areas like warehouses, kitchens, or workshops, where hazards can quickly accumulate.
Encourage reporting and follow up
Make it easy for employees to report fire hazards through your existing systems or a dedicated log.
Once reports are submitted, review them regularly to:
- Take corrective action quickly. Prompt responses show that reports are taken seriously and help prevent hazards from recurring or escalating.
- Identify patterns. For example, if the same corridor or exit is repeatedly blocked, it may highlight a layout issue or the need for clearer storage guidance.
- Share learning points with the wider team. Use team briefings or internal communications to highlight common issues and remind everyone of good housekeeping expectations.
Increase your fire safety expertise with Fire Marshal Training
Promoting good fire safety housekeeping is a vital aspect of a fire marshalโs responsibilities. Our Fire Marshal Training (also known as Fire Warden Training) provides comprehensive guidance on all aspects of fire prevention, hazard awareness, legal duties, and emergency response.
Created by fire safety experts in partnership with our eLearning specialists, the course is available online, virtually, or in person to suit your preferred way of learning and is suitable for individuals across all sectors.
Find out more about Fire Marshal Training on our website, or contact our friendly team on 0203 011 4242 / info@praxis42.com
Rob Sherman
Director of Fire Safety
