FIRE SAFETY & DISASTER RECOVERY


MAKING COMPLIANCE A CONTINUOUS RESPONSIBILITY


Sonia Murton, Managing Director & Founder of Westbury FM, explores how FM providers can take a more proactive role in managing fire safety compliance, ensuring buildings remain safe and fit for purpose.


In facilities management, fire safety is central to compliance, risk and occupant wellbeing. It is no longer enough to install systems and assume they will perform. It requires ongoing oversight, expertise and accountability across the building lifecycle.


As expectations grow, FM providers are increasingly responsible for keeping buildings compliant, not just maintained. Yet many still operate reactively, addressing issues only when audits or failures occur. Embedding compliance into daily operations is now essential.


quality, incomplete records and limited accountability.


The role of FM is to bridge this gap. That means moving beyond basic maintenance and taking a more structured, compliance-led approach to fire safety management.


The cost of non-compliance • Increased risk to life and property. • Legal and regulatory penalties. • Invalidated insurance policies. • Reputational damage. • Costly remedial works.


The importance of third-party


certification in FM delivery Accreditations such as BM TRADA play a critical role in verifying that fire safety works, including fire door installation and maintenance, are carried out to recognised standards. For FM providers, working within certified schemes supports consistency across sites and reduces risk for both the provider and the client.


What compliance looks like in an


FM environment Within facilities management, compliance relies on control, visibility and consistency. It means understanding fire safety assets across a portfolio and ensuring they perform as intended.


This goes beyond installation. FM teams must manage specification, competent installation, ongoing maintenance and clear documentation. Buildings are dynamic environments. Layouts change, usage evolves and wear and tear are inevitable. Without structured FM processes in place, compliance can quickly deteriorate, even where systems were originally installed to the correct standard.


systems were originally installed to the correct standard.


A key challenge within FM is the assumption that maintained buildings are compliant buildings. In reality, there is often a gap between ongoing maintenance and true regulatory compliance.


Fire doors provide a clear example. They may be present, functional and regularly used, but still fail to meet required standards due to poor installation, incorrect components or gradual degradation. In many cases, these issues are only identified during formal inspections.


For FM providers managing multiple sites, inconsistencies can arise where different contractors have been used over time. This fragmented approach can lead to variation in


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It also strengthens the audit trail. Certification ensures that processes are documented, competencies are assessed, and outputs align with tested performance. In an environment where duty holders must evidence compliance, this level of assurance is increasingly important.


Fire doors in FM:


Managing a critical asset From an FM perspective, fire doors are a managed asset, not a one-off installation. They play a critical role in containing fire and protecting escape routes, but only if properly maintained. Inconsistent inspections, poor asset tracking or delayed maintenance can quickly compromise performance. Maintaining compliance relies on clear visibility of conditions and timely action when issues arise.


Fire door compliance checklist • Is the door correctly certified for its intended rating? • Has it been installed by a competent, accredited provider? • Are seals, gaps and hardware aligned with test evidence? • Is there a clear maintenance and inspection regime in place? • Is documentation available and up to date?


Moving towards lifecycle fire


safety management Facilities management is increasingly adopting a lifecycle approach to fire safety. Rather than focusing


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