Managing Fire Safety in Renovation Projects: What Contractors Often Miss
Renovation projects are exciting. They breathe new life into tired buildings, increase value, and allow spaces to serve new purposes. But amid the planning, design, and construction work, one crucial element is often overlooked: fire safety compliance.
Whether it’s a residential HMO, a commercial property, or a hospitality venue, renovations introduce new fire risks and responsibilities. Many contractors focus on finishes and functionality but fail to consider fire protection until the final stages, sometimes too late.
Here’s why fire safety should be prioritised from day one of any renovation project, and what’s often missed when it isn’t.
Why Fire Safety Matters During Renovations
Renovation works often involve:
- Structural changes that affect escape routes
- New service penetrations that compromise fire compartments
- Electrical installations that need to meet modern fire safety standards
- Temporary shutdowns of active fire protection systems
These changes can unintentionally introduce fire hazards or undermine existing safety features. Without early planning and coordination, you risk delays, failed inspections, or worse, non-compliance with UK fire safety law.
Common Fire Safety Oversights in Renovation Projects
1. Lack of a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) Before Works Begin
Many contractors assume a fire risk assessment is only needed post-completion. In fact, an FRA should guide the renovation process, especially in occupied buildings. Not conducting one early can lead to missed hazards and retroactive, costly fixes.
2. Inadequate Fire Stopping
New cabling, plumbing, or HVAC often requires cutting through fire-rated walls, floors, or ceilings. Without proper fire stopping, these gaps can allow smoke and flames to spread between compartments, compromising the building’s passive fire protection.
3. Overlooked Fire Door Compliance
Fire doors are often replaced, removed, or damaged during refurbishments. However, they’re a legal requirement in many multi-occupancy and commercial settings. Reinstalling non-compliant or poorly fitted fire doors is a common and costly mistake.
4. Poor Coordination Between Trades
Fire safety isn’t always top of mind for general contractors or subcontractors. When electrical, joinery, and mechanical teams work independently, critical systems like emergency lighting, fire alarms, or extinguishers can be installed incorrectly or in conflict with fire strategy plans.
5. Last-Minute Fire Alarm Design
Fire alarms must be designed around a building’s layout and use, not squeezed in after walls go up. Rushed or incorrect installations can result in non-compliance, rework, and a failed building control sign-off.
How to Manage Fire Safety Effectively During Renovations
The key to staying compliant and avoiding project delays is early involvement from fire safety experts. At Fire Stoppers, we work alongside contractors, architects, and project managers to ensure that fire protection is built into every stage of your renovation, not just tacked on at the end.
We offer:
- Pre-construction fire risk assessments
- Fire alarm design and commissioning based on layout and use
- Fire stopping for all new penetrations and service voids
- Fire door inspections and replacements
- Emergency lighting planning
- Clear documentation to satisfy building control and insurers
By integrating fire compliance into your renovation plan, you avoid costly delays, rework, and potential enforcement issues.
Who Needs to Prioritise Fire Safety During Renovations?
- HMO landlords converting residential properties
- Builders working on commercial or mixed-use developments
- Hospitality venue owners upgrading kitchens, bars, or guest rooms
- Schools and nurseries refurbishing older buildings
- Office managers reconfiguring layouts post-COVID
In all of these cases, fire safety isn’t optional. It’s a legal requirement, and it must be treated as a core part of your project, not an afterthought.
Conclusion: Don’t Let Fire Safety Fall Through the Cracks
Renovation projects come with enough challenges. Don’t let fire safety be one of them. By planning early, working with experienced fire protection partners, and ensuring compliance at every stage, you’ll save time, reduce risk, and protect the people using your building.
Need support with fire safety on your next renovation?
Contact Fire Stoppers or visit our website to learn more about our renovation-friendly fire safety services.
