Fire Safety Inspection Checklist
A monthly fire safety checklist for office inspections: escape routes, extinguishers, alarms, emergency lighting, electrical hazards and wardens, with a record.
- Typical schedule monthly
- The checklist 5 sections, 22 items
- Variables
{{location}}{{month}}
Use this checklist for a regular in-house fire safety walk of an office or small business premises, typically once a month. It covers what a responsible person can check by looking and testing simple things. It does not replace the professional servicing of extinguishers, alarms and emergency lighting, or a formal fire risk assessment where your local rules require one.
Who owns it
A named fire safety person or fire warden owns the run. In a small office this is often the office manager. The landlord or building management usually owns the building systems, such as the alarm panel, sprinklers and shared escape routes, so report problems there to them in writing.
Common pitfalls
- Escape routes used as storage. Boxes, bikes and deliveries end up in corridors and stairwells. This is the problem you are most likely to find, so look every time.
- Fire doors wedged open. A door held open with a wedge does not stop fire or smoke. Use approved hold-open devices or keep it closed.
- Expired service labels. Extinguishers and alarm systems need servicing by a competent person at set intervals. Check the date on the label, not only that the device is there.
- Overloaded sockets. Daisy-chained power strips under desks and in the kitchen are a common ignition source.
- A plan nobody knows. New staff often do not know the assembly point. Include it in onboarding.
Requirements for inspections, servicing intervals and fire drills are set by local fire codes and building rules. Check them with your fire authority, landlord or a fire safety professional. A monthly scheduled run in Runbook keeps a dated record of every inspection and of who did it.
The checklist: Fire safety inspection: {{location}} ({{month}})
Escape routes and exits
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Escape routes, corridors and stairwells at
{{location}}free of storage and obstacles -
Fire exits open easily from the inside without a key
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Exit signs visible and lit
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Assembly point sign in place and the route to it clear
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Evacuation plan posted and up to date with the current floor layout
Fire doors
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Fire doors close fully on their own and are not wedged open
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Door seals and closers undamaged
Firefighting equipment
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Fire extinguishers in their marked places, visible and not blocked
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Extinguisher pressure gauges in the green zone and seals intact
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Service labels on extinguishers within their service date
Professional servicing intervals are set by local rules and the manufacturer.
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Fire blanket present in the kitchen optional
Alarms and lighting
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Fire alarm test done as scheduled, or confirmed with building management
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Smoke detectors visible, not covered and without fault lights
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Emergency lighting test done as scheduled and faults reported
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Last professional service dates for alarm and emergency lighting recorded
Hazards and people
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No overloaded sockets or daisy-chained power strips
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Damaged cables or plugs removed from use
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Waste, paper and packaging not piled up near heat sources or electrical equipment
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Flammable materials stored safely and in small quantities
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Fire wardens named for
{{month}}, including cover for absences -
Next fire drill date set optional
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Problems found reported to the landlord or responsible person in writing
Checklist as Markdown
Frequently asked questions
How often should a fire safety inspection be done?
Many workplaces do a short in-house check every month, with more frequent checks of escape routes in busy areas. Professional servicing of extinguishers, alarms and emergency lighting follows separate intervals set by local rules and manufacturers. Check what applies to your premises.
Who is responsible for fire safety in an office?
Usually the employer or the person in control of the premises, and in shared buildings the landlord for the common parts and building systems. Name one person in your company who runs the checks and reports problems. The exact legal responsibility depends on your location.
Is this checklist a fire risk assessment?
No. It is a routine inspection to catch everyday problems. A fire risk assessment is a more thorough review of the hazards, the people at risk and the measures in place. Many jurisdictions require one, and it is often done by a competent professional.
Updated