Fire Safety & Hybrid Working: What You Need to Know
Hybrid working changes who is in your building and when, and that changes your fire risk. This guide covers the four things to review when staff split their time between home and the office: how fires are spotted, fire wardens, maintenance checks and evacuation procedures.
Hybrid working combines in-office and remote working, allowing employees to split their time between home and the workplace. Some businesses set fixed office days, while others give staff full flexibility to choose when and where they work.
This working model has become increasingly popular since the pandemic. According to the Office for National Statistics, the rate of hybrid working in the UK grew from 13% in February 2022 to 24% by May 2022. It’s estimated that around 80% of those who worked from home during lockdown now follow a hybrid pattern.
Hybrid working offers many advantages — better work/life balance, increased job satisfaction, improved retention, and reduced office costs. However, it also introduces new challenges, particularly around fire safety.
Rethinking Your Fire Safety Risks
Hybrid working doesn’t just change where employees work — it can completely alter your fire risk assessment and protection strategy. Unfortunately, many organisations overlook this. In fact, a recent survey found that 42% of businesses with hybrid staff have not updated their fire risk assessments to reflect new working practices. See our guide to fire risk assessments for business owners.
If your company has recently introduced or is planning to adopt a hybrid working policy, here are four key considerations to help keep your business and employees safe:
1. Fire Identification
With fewer employees in the office, fires may go unnoticed for longer periods. It’s vital to have reliable automatic detection and suppression systems such as sprinkler systems in place. These systems can help minimise fire spread and damage, even when the building is partially occupied.
2. Fire Wardens
Your appointed fire wardens are responsible for inspecting fire safety equipment, ensuring staff know evacuation procedures, and supporting safe exits during an emergency. With hybrid working, some wardens may be off-site, so ensure there are always enough trained personnel present. Consider training additional wardens to maintain full coverage.
3. Maintenance Checks
Critical fire protection equipment — including dry & wet risers, extinguishers, and alarms — must be inspected regularly. Hybrid work patterns can lead to missed maintenance tasks if responsibilities aren’t clearly assigned. Keep accurate service records and schedule inspections to prevent compliance gaps.
4. Evacuation Procedures
Hybrid working may impact how evacuations are managed. If your office layout or occupancy patterns have changed, you might need to revise escape routes and meeting points. It’s also essential to maintain a daily register so you always know who’s in the building during an emergency.
Next Steps
When adopting hybrid working, review and update your fire safety plan, raise awareness among staff, and assess whether your systems need upgrading. A refreshed fire risk assessment ensures your workplace remains compliant and prepared.
At Eversafe Fire Protection, we’re here to help you adapt safely. Contact us today for expert advice on improving fire safety across hybrid work environments.