Fire Safety Compliance for Commercial Landlords: A Complete Checklist

Fire safety compliance can feel like a maze of overlapping duties, standards and inspection cycles. But for a commercial landlord or building manager, it comes down to a manageable set of responsibilities — provided you know what they are and keep on top of them. This checklist brings the essentials together, with the standards behind each one, so you can see the full picture in one place.

Who is responsible?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the "responsible person" carries the legal duty for fire safety in non-domestic premises and the common parts of residential buildings. That is usually the employer, owner, landlord or managing agent — and where duties are shared, they must cooperate. Everything below flows from that responsibility.

Fire risk assessment

A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is the legal foundation of everything else. Following changes under the Building Safety Act 2022, from 1 October 2023 all responsible persons must record their fire risk assessment in full, regardless of the size of the organisation. It should be reviewed regularly and whenever the building, its use or occupancy changes.

Fire doors

Fire doors must be maintained in effective working order, with regular inspections of seals, closers, gaps and certification. Higher-rise residential blocks have specific quarterly and annual check duties. See our full guidance and fire door installation and repairs for detail.

Fire detection and alarms

The building needs an appropriate detection and warning system to BS 5839, with the category set by the fire risk assessment, a weekly user test, and professional servicing at least every six months. This is covered by our fire alarm installation and servicing.

Emergency lighting

Emergency lighting to BS 5266 illuminates escape routes if the power fails. It should be tested monthly with a short functional test, and given a full-duration test annually to confirm it lasts the rated period (typically three hours). Keep the results in your fire log book.

Fire extinguishers and signage

Provide the right type and number of extinguishers for the risks present, give them a monthly visual check and an annual service to BS 5306 by a competent person, and make sure fire action notices, escape signage and 'keep shut' door signs are clear and correct.

Electrical safety

Faulty electrics are a leading cause of fire. Keep the installation safe and inspected with a valid EICR, and address any C1 or C2 findings promptly.

Gas safety

Where the premises use gas, appliances and pipework must be maintained in a safe condition and checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer, evidenced by a valid gas safety certificate.

Escape routes and staff training

Keep escape routes and final exits clear and unlocked in the direction of travel, make sure staff know the evacuation plan, and record drills and training. Good housekeeping — controlling waste, storage and ignition sources — underpins all of it.

One fire safety partner across Manchester

Kilmal helps commercial landlords and building managers across Manchester and the North West bring these strands together under one fire safety compliance service — doors, alarms, emergency lighting, electrical and gas — so nothing falls through the gaps and your records are always inspection-ready.

Frequently asked questions

What are a commercial landlord's fire safety responsibilities?

Under the Fire Safety Order the responsible person must carry out and record a fire risk assessment and maintain fire doors, detection and alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers, escape routes and electrical and gas safety, keeping records of all checks.

Do I legally need a fire risk assessment?

Yes. A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement, and since 1 October 2023 all responsible persons must record it in full, regardless of the size of the organisation.

How often should emergency lighting be tested?

Emergency lighting to BS 5266 should have a short functional test monthly and a full-duration test annually to confirm it lasts its rated period, usually three hours.

What fire safety checks are legally required for commercial premises?

The core duties are a recorded fire risk assessment, maintained fire doors, an appropriate alarm system with weekly tests and six-monthly servicing, tested emergency lighting, serviced extinguishers, clear escape routes, and safe electrical and gas installations.

Can one company handle all of a building's fire safety compliance?

Yes. A single provider can manage fire doors, alarms, emergency lighting and the associated electrical and gas safety together, which keeps records consistent and nothing overlooked.

Kilmal brings it all together for commercial premises across Manchester, from fire risk assessments to fire door installation.