Why Accurate Fire Safety Reporting Makes All the Difference
May 30, 2025

Common Fire Safety Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Thank you for taking the time to read “Common Fire Safety Mistakes and how to avoid them, authored by Aaron Gadd

Fire safety is essential for every building, yet common mistakes continue to compromise safety, compliance, and lives. Whether it’s due to oversight, budget constraints, or a lack of awareness, these errors can lead to increased fire risks, costly penalties, and even loss of life.

At IMS Group, we specialize in helping businesses and property managers address these challenges with practical solutions that ensure compliance, protect lives, and reduce long-term costs. Here are the most common fire safety mistakes—and how to avoid them.


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1. Neglecting Fire Door Maintenance

The Mistake: Fire doors are critical in containing fire and smoke, yet they are often neglected. Issues such as damaged seals, faulty closers, or large gaps around doors significantly reduce their effectiveness.

How to Avoid It:

  • Conduct regular fire door inspections to identify and address damage or misalignment.
  • Partner with certified experts, like IMS Group, to ensure fire doors meet safety standards.
  • Remediate instead of replacing where possible to save costs and reduce environmental impact.

2. Poor Fire-Stopping Practices

The Mistake: Improper or incomplete fire-stopping allows fire and smoke to spread quickly through penetrations in walls, floors, or ceilings. Using unapproved materials, like non-fire-rated expanding foam, further compromises safety.

How to Avoid It:

  • Ensure all fire-stopping measures are installed and inspected by certified professionals.
  • Use only approved fire-rated materials to seal penetrations and maintain compartmentation.
  • Implement routine inspections to check for breaches caused by new installations or wear.

3. Overlooking Compartmentation

The Mistake: Fire compartmentation is designed to limit the spread of fire and smoke, but breaches caused by unsealed gaps, damaged walls, or poor maintenance can render it ineffective.

How to Avoid It:

  • Perform regular inspections to identify and seal breaches in fire compartments.
  • Use certified fire-stopping systems to maintain compartmentation integrity.
  • Ensure tradespeople understand and respect compartmentation boundaries when working in buildings.

4. Inadequate Fire Safety Training

The Mistake: Many occupants and staff are unaware of fire safety protocols, evacuation routes, and how to use fire safety equipment. This lack of training leads to panic and unsafe behavior during emergencies.

How to Avoid It:

  • Provide regular fire safety training for all staff, including fire drills and equipment usage.
  • Clearly display fire safety signage and evacuation routes.
  • Assign fire wardens to oversee safety protocols during an emergency.

5. Failure to Keep Accurate Fire Safety Records

The Mistake: Missing or incomplete fire safety records can result in failed audits, non-compliance, and an inability to track maintenance needs. This oversight can lead to fines and legal consequences.

How to Avoid It:

  • Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of all fire safety inspections, maintenance, and remedial works.
  • Use digital reporting tools to track fire safety compliance and document evidence for audits.
  • Partner with IMS Group for clear, actionable reporting that keeps your building compliant.

6. Reactive Instead of Proactive Maintenance

The Mistake: Waiting until fire safety issues become emergencies can be costly and dangerous. Reactive approaches often lead to higher expenses, downtime, and increased risk to occupants.

How to Avoid It:

  • Implement proactive maintenance schedules for fire doors, fire-stopping, alarms, and other systems.
  • Conduct regular fire risk assessments to identify and resolve issues before they escalate.
  • Work with fire safety experts to develop a long-term fire safety strategy.
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How IMS Group Helps You Avoid Common Fire Safety Mistakes

At IMS Group, we provide comprehensive fire safety solutions to help you identify and address common mistakes effectively. Our services include:

  • Fire Door Inspections and Remediation: Certified solutions to maintain fire door compliance.
  • Fire-Stopping Installations and Inspections: Ensuring compartmentation remains intact.
  • Accurate Reporting: Detailed, actionable fire safety reports for complete compliance.
  • Proactive Maintenance Programs: Customized schedules to reduce risk and long-term costs.

By working with IMS Group, you can ensure that your fire safety systems are effective, compliant, and prepared for any emergency.

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Conclusion about Common Fire Safety Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Avoiding common fire safety mistakes requires awareness, proactive planning, and professional support. By maintaining fire doors, ensuring proper fire-stopping, and implementing regular inspections, you can protect lives, meet compliance requirements, and reduce long-term costs.

IMS Group is here to help. Contact us today to learn how our expert fire safety services can keep your building safe, compliant, and risk-free.

Ready to solve your fire safety challenges? Reach out now for a free consultation and see how IMS Services can make a difference.

If you have any questions or would like advise get in touch with us here.

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