Arson can be devastating for any business, leading to serious damage, disruption to operations, and potential job losses.
Research indicates that nearly 60% of businesses do not recover following a major fire. Taking appropriate fire prevention and security measures is essential to help protect your premises, your staff, and your business.
Carry out a fire risk assessment
It's mandatory to carry out a detailed assessment identifying the risks and hazards in a commercial premises. By law, if you are responsible for the premises, you need to make sure that a Fire Risk Assessment has been completed by someone competent to do so and that you record the findings.
Find out more on our fire risk assessments page.
Reducing the risk of arson
- Make sure you have a suitable fire detection and alarm system. It should be positioned to provide the earliest possible warning to occupants. This is particularly important on escape routes and in areas where there may be an increased fire risk, including potential deliberate fire-setting.
- Install or seek advice on extra security measures such as perimeter security, lighting, CCTV and intruder alarms.
- Do not allow unauthorised people in to staff-only areas, consider a sign in and out procedure for visitors and change door codes regularly.
- All staff should have regular training to help identify suspicious behaviour, smells (such as petrol) and items that could be used for deliberate fire setting.
- Consider fitting fire reduction letterboxes.
- Make sure that bins are placed away from the external walls and windows. Rubbish should be stored securely, ideally away from public areas and regularly disposed of. During construction or refurbishment make sure that building waste and materials are stored securely and properly disposed of.
- Ensure that all tools and equipment are securely locked away and accounted for, as these could be used to gain entry to the premises.
- Engagement with the local community, neighbourhood policing teams, and Neighbourhood Watch schemes may help with information sharing relating to anti-social behaviour and fire-setting concerns. It may also encourage members of the community to report suspicious activity when the premises are unoccupied.
- For further advice or support, contact the Local Authority, specifically the licensing team, planning, environmental health etc.
- It may be helpful to have out-of-hours contact details for a responsible person (e.g. site supervisor) and designated key holders displayed in a secure but accessible location (e.g. main entrance or secure information box) to help fire and emergency services when the premises are unoccupied.
Adopt a procedure for the end of the day
- Lock external doors, windows and gates (If there is sleeping accommodation on site, all doors/gates etc that form part of the escape route should be easily openable from the inside without the use of a key.)
- Close internal doors
- Check there are no unauthorised people left on the premises
- Switch on security lighting and intruder alarms
Further information can also be found in this Safer Business leaflet from the NFCC.