Site Management · Mandatory · Construction

Fire Safety Checklist

The Fire Safety Checklist is used for routine inspections of fire precautions on the construction site, covering fire extinguisher locations and servicing, escape route clearance, fire alarm testing, combustible material storage, and hot works controls. It provides a structured weekly or daily check to verify that fire safety measures remain effective as site conditions evolve during the construction programme.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. RRO 2005 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Fire Safety Checklist — Weekly Verification of Controls

The fire safety checklist translates the FRA's controls into a practical weekly verification exercise. Every control measure — extinguisher, escape route, detection zone, hot works control — must be physically checked and confirmed.

Construction sites are vulnerable to fire precautions drifting: escape routes blocked by deliveries, extinguishers moved for hot works and not returned, detection disabled for dusty work and not restored, fire doors propped open.

“Any checklist item marked as 'non-compliant' must trigger immediate corrective action” — A blocked escape route identified on Monday must be cleared on Monday. Detection zone disabled and not restored must have compensatory fire watch confirmed immediately. Must include an action column with a named person and immediate deadline.

Fire Safety Checklist — Key Items

Item	What to Check
Escape routes	All emergency routes clear. Emergency lighting functional. Signage visible. No locked exits.
Fire extinguishers	All in correct positions. Not obstructed. Seals intact. No visible damage. Serviced within 12 months.
Fire detection	All zones operational. No zones disabled without compensatory measures and recorded permit. Panel green.
Fire doors	All closing and latching correctly. No propped-open doors. Closers functional.
LPG storage	Cylinders stored externally. Away from structures. No smoking signage. Not obstructed.
Combustible waste	No accumulation in building. Skip/waste containers not overflowing.
Hot works	Hot works permit system operating. Post-work fire watch completed.
Muster point	Clear and accessible. Assembly point sign visible.
Temporary electrics	No cable damage or overloaded sockets. Distribution boards not overloaded.
Fire warden	Named fire warden identified and trained. Contact details displayed.

Common Mistakes

Escape routes used as temporary storage — routinely used for materials, equipment, and waste. A blocked route in a fire with limited visibility can be fatal. Must prohibit storage and verify compliance. Obstructions removed immediately.

Extinguishers in wrong position or wrong type — must match fire risks: CO2 for electrical, dry powder/CO2 for LPG, water/foam for Class A. Must be visible and accessible, not stored in a cupboard.

Detection system disabled without compensatory measures — requires a fire system isolation permit (E11) and fire watch. Recording 'disabled' without confirming fire watch means a hazard without response.

Annual extinguisher service not current — must be serviced annually by a competent person per BS 5306 Part 3. The service label shows the date. The checklist must verify. Physical damage is also checked.

No named fire warden with current training — RRO 2005 requires a competent person for preventive measures. A named fire warden who understands evacuation, knows the muster point, can account for workers, and liaise with the fire brigade. Training refreshed annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of extinguisher is required?

It depends on the risks. CO2 adjacent to electrical distribution boards. Dry powder (ABC) in general areas. Water/foam where large Class A risks exist. LPG areas: dry powder. BS 5306 Part 8 guides selection and positioning.

How often should extinguishers be inspected?

Three levels: daily/weekly visual check (position, seal, gauge); monthly detailed check by the responsible person (weight, condition, instructions); annual full service by a competent person (BS 5306 Part 3). Partially discharged extinguishers must be replaced immediately.

What fire safety training is required?

RRO 2005 requires adequate training. For construction: induction fire briefing (muster, alarm, no lifts); fire warden training; hot works permit training; extinguisher training (evacuation first, extinguisher only for very small fires). Recorded and refreshed annually.

What is the Joint Code of Practice?

'Fire Prevention on Construction Sites' (7th ed) — produced jointly by construction industry and fire safety organisations. Comprehensive practical guidance. It does not have statutory force but is widely referenced by courts and regulators as the standard. Compliance is effectively expected on all but the smallest projects.

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