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Fire Safety During Refurbishments: The Risks that appear before the building work is finished
Refurbishment projects are often exciting opportunities to improve, modernise and extend the life of a building. However, while the focus is usually on timelines, budgets and design, fire safety risks can increase significantly during the period when work is taking place.
A building under refurbishment is not the same building it was before the works began. Fire compartments may be temporarily opened, escape routes may change, fire protection systems may be altered, and contractors unfamiliar with the building’s fire strategy may introduce new risks.
The challenge is ensuring fire safety remains effectively managed throughout the project, not just once the work is complete.
Why refurbishments create additional fire risks
During refurbishment works, buildings can become more vulnerable because elements that normally protect occupants from fire may be temporarily compromised.
Some common risks include:
damage to fire compartments and fire stopping
Fire compartmentation is designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke between different areas of the building. However, refurbishment works often involve drilling, installing new services, removing walls or creating new openings.
If these changes are not properly managed, existing fire stopping can be damaged or missing, creating hidden routes for fire and smoke to spread.
Even small penetrations for cables, pipes or ductwork can have a significant impact if they are not appropriately sealed and inspected.
changes to escape routes
Activities such as welding, cutting, grinding and soldering can introduce procedures, including:
A fire does not always start during the work itself; heat generated during hot works can ignite concealed materials hours later if not properly managed.
Changes to fire safety systems
Refurbishment projects may involve changes to:
Where systems are temporarily isolated, altered or unavailable, suitable measures should be put in place to maintain an acceptable level of fire safety.
The importance of communication between everyone involved
One of the biggest risks during refurbishment projects is poor communication.
Fire safety is a shared responsibility between everyone involved, including:
Contractors may understand the construction requirements of a project but may not always be aware of the building’s existing fire strategy or the impact their work could have on fire safety.
Regular communication, clear responsibilities and effective monitoring are essential to ensuring risks are identified early.
Your Legal Responsibilities
Before refurbishments start, it is important to understand how the planned works may affect the building’s fire safety arrangements.
Considerations should include:
Taking time to consider these questions at the beginning of a project can help prevent costly problems later.
Managing Fire Safety Throughout the Project
Fire safety should not be viewed as something to review once refurbishment is complete. Risks can change daily as the project progresses.
Regular inspections, communication between teams and ongoing monitoring help ensure that fire safety remains effective from the first day of work through to completion.
A completed refurbishment may look impressive, but the period before completion can often be when a building is at its most vulnerable.
By identifying risks early, maintaining strong communication and ensuring fire safety remains part of the project process, organisations can protect their buildings, their occupants and the success of their refurbishment works.
How assured fire safety consultancy can help
At Assured Fire Safety Consultancy, we support organisations throughout the lifecycle of their buildings, providing practical advice to help manage fire risks during refurbishment projects.
From fire risk assessments and fire strategies to compartmentation surveys, fire door inspections and passive fire protection advice, our team can help ensure fire safety remains at the forefront of your project.
Planning Refurbishment works?
If you are planning refurbishment works and would like advice on managing fire safety risks, get in touch with our team today.
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