Fire Safety Isn’t Just Alarms and Extinguishers — Here’s What Else Matters

Posted on 2/1/2026, 6:22:22 PM

All too often, fire safety within businesses is reduced to visible equipment. It's treated as alarms and extinguishers fitted to walls, but in reality, it's so much more than these two things.

Sure, they're integral, but they're not the only things to focus on in relation to fire safety within the workplace, and businesses need to be on top of their game regarding fire safety to ensure everyone is safe at all times on the premises and to avoid fines and even prosecution for failing to meet laws and guidelines businesses need to adhere to.

In the US, the NFPA Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) is often used as its focus heavily on means of escape, occupant safety, and how buildings are actually used, not just what equipment is installed. And while it's not legally mandated, it's still something businesses base their safety systems and procedures on because it works.

With this in mind, let's take a look at others that matter, not just your extinguishers and alarms.

Keeping fire exits clear and usable at all times

Just because your fire exit is unlocked, it does not automatically make it usable. In real businesses, exits are often blocked by deliveries, stock, bins, or furniture that are left there "temporarily", and not always on purpose but simply due to how the business operates. Over time, this becomes a massive problem.

One way to get around this is to walk escape routes and go through the fire drop during normal operating hours, not when you're closed. If someone has to move something, this is a problem in an emergency when people need to get out of the building. You should have clear and direct access without negotiating anything in your path.

In California, for example, blocked fire exits are a routine enforcement issue. Local fire authorities regularly issue violations for obstructed exits. In Los Angeles, fire code breaches can lead to fines of up to $1,000 per violation and even potential further penalties and jail time if not rectified.

Making sure doors are closed, intact, and not interfered with

Fire doors are one of the most commonly undermined fire safety measures in commercial buildings.

Doors end up being wedged open for convenience, closers are disconnected because they're noisy or slow, and damaged seals are missed as the door technically "looks fine".

In practice, however, a door that does not close fully on its own, has visible gaps around the frame, or has damaged seals is no longer functional or adequate for protecting against fires.

Replacing worn doors with fire-rated doors increases compliance instantly and reduced risk increases protection and keeps everyone safe, especially when used correctly, i.e. not propping them open.

Making sure fire safety signage actually works

Do you have fire safety signage, and if so, does it do its job?

Signage only works if it's visible, readable, and correct.

This means checking your signs are pointing the right way, especially after layout changes, aren't obscured by shelving, stock, or hanging signs, and aren't damaged. Illuminated exit signage needs to still be illuminated for it to be effective. Simply checking them in the dark is all that's needed here.

Test emergency lighting regularly, change the environment to make sure it's readable through smoky conditions, etc. All of this means that, should you experience a fire, people can clearly see how to get out safely and not become trapped.

Staff knowing what to do, not just where equipment is

This is really important, especially in retail or businesses that have high heights for traffic on site frequently.

Fire safety plans rely on people knowing them and being able to execute them properly. And knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is vastly different from knowing how to evacuate a building safely in the event of a fire.

Under federal workplace safety law, this is not optional. OSHA regulations require employers to train workers in fire hazards and emergency procedures when those hazards exist. Standards such as 29 CFR 1910.30 cover emergency action plans, including evacuation procedures and employee responsibility during a fire.

Gaps in training will be glaringly obvious when a situation such as a fire arises. Staff will hesitate, look for direction, and struggle to remain calm, calm those around them, and know where to go for safety. If your staff can't clearly communicate your fire safety protocols, then you need more training. It's that simple.

Manage waste, storage, and combustible materials properly

The truth is, copious amounts of rubbish building up on the premises increase fire risk. Cardboard that builds up, packaging that gets stored where there's space, and cleaning products and chemicals that aren't stored properly are all dangers, all present risk.

For the most part, these materials end up in places that cause problems: corridors, near exits, or in plant rooms, increasing the fire loading without anyone noticing.

But by paying attention to this happening, you can redirect waste and make arrangements for it to be stored correctly until it's disposed of, however you need to.

Keeping shared spaces and escape routes free from risk

Shared areas again increase fire risk. Corridors, stairwells, loading areas, and shared access points are areas to focus on here. If no single person is accountable for that space, then no one is.

For multi-tenant buildings, this can be a real problem, and shared spaces need to be treated with the same thought and consideration as individual premises, so the risk to all parties isn't increased due to careless behaviors or bad habits people have fallen into.

Fire safety in business isn't just about alarms. This post has proven that. There's multiple areas that need focusing on to ensure commercial properties are safe for both employees and patrons at all times. And by knowing the problems and risks, you can put plans in place to address and reduce the problem so everyone is safe and nothing is overlooked or left to chance.