If you’re running a business, fire safety probably isn’t the most exciting part of your day-to-day operations, but it’s definitely one of the most important. Getting your fire safety wrong can have serious consequences, both legally and for the people who work in or visit your premises.
Here’s what you need to know: almost every business in Manchester and across the UK must have some kind of fire detection system. What exactly that looks like for your business depends on what you do and where you do it.
What Does the Law Actually Require?
The law says you need a “suitable fire detection system”, which is legal speak for having a way to spot fires early and warn everyone to get out safely. For most businesses, this means having a proper fire alarm system installed and maintained by professionals.
There are very few businesses that can get away without a fire alarm system. Think tiny, simple premises where everyone would immediately notice a fire and could easily hear someone shouting a warning. Even then, it’s risky territory that most business owners sensibly avoid.
Your fire safety needs depend on things like:
- How big your premises are and what the layout is like
- How many people work there or visit regularly
- Whether you have customers or staff who might need extra help in an emergency
- What kind of work you do (especially if it involves cooking, chemicals, or other fire risks)
- Whether your building is sometimes empty
The Rules You Need to Follow
The Main Fire Safety Law
The big piece of legislation you need to know about is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It covers pretty much every business premise you can think of and says you must have someone responsible for fire safety (usually the business owner or manager) who makes sure everything is properly sorted.
This applies to all sorts of businesses:
- Offices and business parks
- Shops, cafes, and restaurants
- Pubs and entertainment venues
- Warehouses and factories
- Hotels and B&Bs
- Schools and training centres
- Clinics and healthcare facilities
- Gyms and leisure centres
Industry Standards
There’s also something called BS 5839, which is the technical standard that tells professionals how to design and install fire alarm systems properly. The latest version came out in 2025 and includes some important updates that make systems more effective.
The Rare Cases Where You Might Not Need a Full System
You might not need a complete fire alarm system if all of these things are true:
- Your business is very small and simple (think single room, ground floor)
- It’s an open plan, so everyone can see everything
- You don’t do anything risky like cooking or using chemicals
- You don’t have young children, elderly people, or anyone with disabilities regularly on site
- If there was a fire, everyone would spot it immediately
- Everyone could hear someone shouting “fire!” clearly
However, it’s incredibly rare for all these conditions to be met. Even a small sandwich shop would need proper fire detection because of the food preparation.
Different Types of Fire Alarm Systems
Fire alarm systems come in different types depending on what they’re meant to protect:
Systems That Protect People (L Systems)
- L1: The full works – detectors everywhere for maximum protection
- L2: Covers sleeping areas and other high-risk rooms
- L3: Protects escape routes, plus rooms that lead onto them
- L4: Just the escape routes, like corridors and stairs
- L5: Custom systems designed for specific needs
Basic Manual Systems (M Systems)
These just have the red call points you press and bells or sounders. They’re pretty basic and rarely enough on their own for most businesses.
Systems That Protect Property (P Systems)
These focus on protecting your building and contents rather than people. Since most businesses have people in them, you usually need life protection too.
What Your Business Probably Needs
| Type of Business | What You’ll Likely Need | Things to Think About |
| Small office | L3 or L4 system | Might get away with less if it’s tiny and open plan |
| Multi-floor office | L2 or L3 system | More complex buildings need better coverage |
| Shop or café | L3 system | Don’t forget storage areas and kitchens |
| Restaurant or takeaway | L2 or L3 system | Kitchens need special heat detectors |
| Hotel or guesthouse | L1 or L2 system | Sleeping areas are a high priority |
| Warehouse | L4 system plus possibly property protection | Think about valuable stock, too |
| School or nursery | L2 or L3 system | Extra care is needed around children |
| Care home | L1 system | Residents may need help evacuating |
Your Ongoing Responsibilities
Weekly Checks
You need to test your fire alarm every week. It’s not complicated – just press one of the red call points, make sure the alarm sounds properly, check it shows up on the control panel, then reset everything. Keep a record of when you did it and which call point you used.
Professional Servicing
A qualified engineer needs to service your system at least twice a year. They’ll check everything is working properly, replace any faulty parts, and make sure the system still meets current standards.
Emergency Response
If something goes wrong with your fire alarm, you need to get it fixed quickly. For serious faults that disable the system, you should have an engineer on site within 4 hours. For less urgent issues, within 24 hours is the standard.
Who’s Responsible?
Every business needs a “responsible person” for fire safety. This is usually:
- The business owner
- The building owner or landlord
- A manager or someone specifically appointed to handle it
This person needs to make sure everything is properly maintained, staff know what to do in an emergency, and all the legal requirements are met.
Fire Risk Assessments: Your Starting Point
Before you can decide what fire alarm system you need, you must carry out a fire risk assessment. This looks at your specific premises and identifies:
- What could cause a fire
- Who might be at risk
- Whether your current fire safety measures are adequate
- What improvements you might need to make
You can do this yourself if you’re confident you know what you’re looking for, but many businesses prefer to use a professional fire safety consultant.
Getting Professional Help
Here’s something that might surprise you: there are no legal requirements for fire alarm installers to have specific qualifications. Anyone can set themselves up as a fire alarm company. That’s why it’s crucial to choose someone with proper accreditation from organisations like:
- BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment)
- NSI (National Security Inspectorate)
- SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board)
These accreditations mean the company has been independently assessed and meets industry standards.
What Happens If You Get It Wrong?
The consequences of not having proper fire safety measures can be severe:
- Unlimited fines
- Prison sentences for serious breaches
- Being forced to close your business
- Higher insurance costs
- Legal liability if someone gets hurt in a fire
- Serious damage to your business reputation
Beyond the legal consequences, there’s the moral responsibility. Fire safety systems save lives, and as a business owner, you have a duty to protect your staff, customers, and visitors.
Recent Changes You Should Know About
The fire safety standards were updated in 2025 with some important changes:
- Better protection is required in areas like lift shafts
- Enhanced requirements for buildings with sleeping accommodation
- Clearer rules about integrating fire alarms with other safety systems
- Stricter standards for noisy environments where alarms might not be heard clearly
Insurance Considerations
Most business insurance policies require you to have adequate fire safety measures in place. Having a properly installed and maintained fire alarm system can:
- Reduce your insurance premiums
- Ensure your insurance is valid if you need to claim
- Demonstrate that you’re taking fire safety seriously
Some insurers specifically require monitored alarm systems that automatically alert the fire service if activated.
Making the Right Choice for Your Manchester Business
While the law talks about “suitable” fire detection systems, the reality is that most businesses benefit from having a proper, professionally installed fire alarm system. The cost is relatively small compared to the potential consequences of getting it wrong.
Think about:
- Your building: Larger or more complex buildings almost always need fire alarms
- Your people: More staff and customers mean greater responsibility
- Your activities: Cooking, manufacturing, or storing hazardous materials increase fire risk
- Your hours: Buildings left empty still need protection
- Your peace of mind: A good fire alarm system lets you focus on running your business
Getting Started
If you’re not sure what you need, the best first step is to get a professional fire risk assessment. This will tell you exactly what fire safety measures are required for your specific circumstances.
The investment in fire safety is small compared to the potential costs of fire damage, legal penalties, or harm to people. By taking fire safety seriously and working with qualified professionals, you can protect your business, comply with the law, and have confidence that you’re doing everything possible to keep people safe.
Remember, fire safety regulations are regularly updated, so it’s worth staying in touch with your fire safety provider to make sure you remain compliant as rules change.
This guide provides general information about fire alarm requirements for Manchester businesses. For specific advice about your premises, please get in touch with our fire safety professionals, who can assess your individual circumstances.
Contact our team at 0161 505 0737 to get started.