Fire Safety in Occupied Buildings

Construction work in occupied buildings means the building's normal fire safety systems may be impaired during the works.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to the occupied parts — the building manager retains fire safety duties.
Fire compartmentation must be maintained throughout — temporary breaches in fire walls, doors, and barriers must be managed.
Fire detection and alarm systems may need to be temporarily modified — this requires formal management and alternative arrangements.
Escape routes for building occupants must remain clear and accessible at all times during the construction works.
Hot works in occupied buildings create extreme fire risk — permits, fire watches, and occupant notification are all essential.
Combustible construction materials and waste must not be stored in or near occupied escape routes or corridors.
A joint fire risk assessment between the contractor and building manager must address the combined risks during the works.
Building occupants must be informed of the construction activities and any temporary changes to fire procedures.
Emergency coordination between the construction team and building management ensures a unified response if fire occurs.

Impaired protection	Construction work disables fire doors, alarms, and compartmentation — temporary measures must replace them immediately.
Occupant safety	Building occupants rely on escape routes and fire systems — construction must not compromise these at any time.
Joint responsibility	Both the contractor and building manager share fire safety duties — coordination prevents the gaps that cause fatal fires.

Do

Don't

Prepare a joint fire risk assessment with the building manager before work starts.
Maintain fire compartmentation — manage any temporary breaches with fire stopping.
Follow the alarm impairment procedure if fire detection must be temporarily modified.
Keep all occupant escape routes clear of construction materials and waste.
Obtain hot works permits and notify occupants before any hot work in the building.
Store combustible materials away from occupied areas and escape corridors.
Brief building occupants on any temporary changes to fire procedures or routes.
Coordinate emergency response procedures between the construction team and building management.
Reinstate fire doors, barriers, and detection as quickly as possible after breaches.
Inspect escape routes and fire systems daily to confirm they remain functional.

DON'T start construction in occupied buildings without a joint fire risk assessment.
DON'T breach fire compartmentation without temporary fire stopping measures in place.
DON'T disable fire alarms without following the formal impairment management procedure.
DON'T block occupant escape routes with construction materials, equipment, or waste.
DON'T carry out hot works without a permit and without notifying building occupants.
DON'T store flammable construction materials near occupied areas or escape corridors.
DON'T leave occupants uninformed about changes to fire procedures during the works.
DON'T assume the building manager handles everything — both parties share the duty.
DON'T leave fire compartmentation breaches open overnight — reinstate protection each day.
DON'T skip daily checks of escape routes and fire systems during construction.

See also: Fire Safety Awareness on Site | Hot Works Permit Requirements

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