Fire safety logs for shops and retail
Shops change every day. New stock arrives, displays move and boxes pile up near doors. A weekly check, written down, is the easiest way to catch problems before they block an escape route.
First month £1, then £7.99 a month. Cancel any time to stop future charges. Payments are non-refundable.
Common fire risks in shops and retail
- Stock, packaging and cardboard that burn easily
- Displays and racks that block routes to exits
- Security shutters and grilles that do not release from inside
- Overloaded stockrooms close to lights and heaters
- Deliveries left in front of rear doors
What your weekly check covers
Choose “Shops and retail” for your location in Pioneer Fire and your weekly check shows 33 questions across 5 groups. Here is a taste of each.
All premises
- Alarm tested and heard in all areas
- Escape routes and exits clear and unlocked while open
- Fire doors close fully and are not wedged open
9 questions in this group
Electrical equipment and charging
- Plugs, leads and cables undamaged, no scorch marks or burning smell
- Extension leads not overloaded or daisy-chained
- Portable appliance test labels in date, where you use them
7 questions in this group
Storage rooms and plant rooms
- Room kept tidy, stock stacked away from lights, heaters and electrical panels
- Flammable liquids, aerosols and gas cylinders stored correctly and away from heat
- Door kept closed or locked as intended, and fire door closes fully
5 questions in this group
Outside areas and waste
- Bins and waste skips kept away from the building, not against walls or windows
- Waste not allowed to build up in or near exits
- External exit routes and fire exit doors clear, including gates and steps
5 questions in this group
Shops and retail
- Shop floor displays, racks and promotional stands clear of exits and fire doors
- Security shutters, grilles and bolts unlocked or releasable while people are inside
- Stockroom shelves not overloaded and stock kept away from lights, heaters and sprinklers
7 questions in this group
Training and drills
Tap-to-add topics for your team, drill timings and headcounts, and staff confirm attendance by QR code or PIN.
- What the alarm sounds like
- Where the exits and assembly point are
- What to do on discovering a fire
- Using extinguishers and fire blankets
- Roll call and who is in charge
- Clearing the shop floor and checking changing rooms
- Releasing security shutters and rear doors
- Leaving cash and belongings behind
- Evacuating customers at busy times
Equipment to keep track of
Add service dates to the register. Overdue items are flagged, and we email you before they lapse.
- Fire extinguisher
- Fire alarm panel
- Call point
- Smoke or heat detector
- Emergency light
- Fire door
- Security shutter or grille release
- Fire exit hardware (push bars)
- Sprinkler or suppression
- Portable appliance testing (PAT)
- Fixed wiring inspection (EICR)
Risk assessment prompts for shops and retail
The worksheet follows the five steps in GOV.UK guidance and gives example prompts like these. It helps you record an assessment. It is not a substitute for a competent assessor where you need one.
- e.g. display lighting and electrics, heaters, charging, staff-room appliances
- e.g. stock, packaging, cardboard, clothing, aerosols
- e.g. customers, staff, delivery drivers, people in changing rooms
- e.g. customers with limited mobility, children, people who do not know the layout
- e.g. shutters that release from inside, alarm, signs, extinguishers
Try it on paper first
Download the free shops and retail sample pack: a printable weekly check, drill and training sheet, equipment register and risk assessment prompts, using the same questions as the website.
Questions from shops and retail
What fire checks should a small shop do each week?
Check exits are clear and doors open from the inside, displays do not block fire doors, shutters release, extinguishers are in place, the stockroom is tidy and not overloaded, and test one alarm call point. Write the results down.
How many fire extinguishers does a small shop need?
Your fire risk assessment decides. Guidance commonly suggests at least two on each floor with enough capacity for the floor area, but a competent supplier can advise on your premises.
Do I need a fire risk assessment for my shop?
Yes. If you are responsible for non-domestic premises you must carry out and review a fire risk assessment, and in England keep a written record.
Articles for shops and retail
General information based on GOV.UK guidance and common practice. It is not legal advice or a fire risk assessment. Your own fire risk assessment sets what applies to your premises.