Protecting People, Stock and Production
Warehouses, distribution and manufacturing
A fire in a warehouse or factory can develop quickly and on a large scale. High-bay storage, packaging, process equipment and flammable materials all add to the risk, and large floor areas can mean long escape routes for the people working there.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, recorded in full. Where flammable liquids, gases or combustible dusts are stored or used, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) also apply. Government guidance on fire safety in factories and warehouses sets out what good practice looks like.
Our consultants have assessed industrial premises ranging from small units to large manufacturing and defence sites. We give you practical recommendations that protect your people without getting in the way of production.
Risks We Assess
Storage and racking
High-bay racking, stacking heights, packaging and plastics, and the effect of storage on escape routes and any sprinkler protection.
Process hazards
Ovens, dryers, extraction systems, friction and heat from machinery, and the cleaning and maintenance that keeps them safe.
Flammable substances
Flammable liquids, gases and combustible dusts, assessed alongside DSEAR requirements.
Battery charging
Forklift and equipment charging areas, including the specific risks of lithium-ion batteries.
Hot work and contractors
Hot work permits, contractor control and the fire risks from maintenance, refurbishment and installation work.
Arson and external storage
Pallets, skips and waste stored close to buildings, site security and out-of-hours arrangements.
Large Buildings, Long Escape Routes
- Travel distances across large open floors and mezzanines
- Fire separation between storage, production and offices
- Raising the alarm in noisy areas and across large sites
- Shift patterns, lone working and night-time staffing
- Arrangements for visitors, drivers and agency staff
Working With Your Insurer
Insurers take a close interest in industrial fire risk. Our reports are clear and well evidenced, and if your insurer has specific requirements, we will make sure they are covered.
We can also review fire safety arrangements before a change of use, an extension or a new tenancy, so problems are picked up early.
Services for Industrial Sites
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you carry out DSEAR assessments?
We take account of flammable substances and DSEAR as part of the fire risk assessment. Where a separate specialist DSEAR assessment is needed, for example for hazardous area classification, we will tell you.
Can you assess a site while it is operating?
Yes. We plan visits around your shifts and safety rules, and seeing the site in operation usually gives a more accurate picture of the real risks.
Do you cover multi-site operations?
Yes. We can assess several sites in a consistent format, so you can compare risk across your estate and prioritise investment.
Responsible for a warehouse or factory?
Tell us about your site and we will come back to you with a clear scope and quote.
Talk to Us About Warehouse and Factory Fire Safety
Tell us a little about your building and what you need. A consultant will come back to you with a clear scope and quote.