Fire Safety Equipment Checklist: What Every Property Should Have

Smoke alarms provide an early warning when smoke is detected.

For accommodation properties and other occupied buildings, correctly positioned and maintained smoke alarms can provide occupants with valuable additional time to respond to a developing fire.

Property owners should regularly check that smoke alarms:

• Are installed in appropriate locations

• Are functioning correctly

• Have not been disabled or obstructed

• Are maintained according to applicable requirements

• Have suitable batteries or power supplies

Important: Smoke alarm requirements vary by jurisdiction and property type. Check your local requirements rather than relying on a general checklist.

Fire extinguishers can be useful for dealing with certain small fires when it is safe to do so.

However, having an extinguisher is only part of the solution. Occupants should never put themselves at unnecessary risk attempting to fight a fire.

Consider whether your property has the appropriate extinguisher types and locations for the potential fire hazards present.

Common fire risks can include:

• Cooking equipment

• Electrical equipment

• Flammable liquids

• Workshops or machinery

• Garage areas

Fire extinguishers should also be accessible, clearly identified, and maintained as required.

A fire blanket can be particularly useful around cooking areas.

It may help smother certain small fires, such as a cooking fire, when used correctly.

If your property includes a kitchen, consider whether a fire blanket is appropriate for the risks present.

It should be:

• Easily accessible

• Clearly identified

• Stored where occupants can reach it quickly

• Maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable requirements

Emergency lighting can help occupants see escape routes if normal lighting fails during an emergency.

This can be particularly important in larger or more complex buildings where occupants may need to travel through corridors, stairways, or other areas to reach an exit.

Depending on the property, emergency lighting may be subject to specific regulatory requirements.

Clearly identified exits can help occupants understand where they need to go during an emergency.

Exit signage is especially important in buildings where people may be unfamiliar with the layout.

Make sure exits and exit signs are:

• Visible

• Accessible

• Not obstructed

• Appropriately illuminated where required

An evacuation diagram provides occupants with a visual representation of the property and helps show important emergency information.

A well-designed evacuation diagram may identify:

• You Are Here location

• Emergency exits

• Evacuation routes

• Fire extinguishers

• Fire alarms

• Fire blankets

• First aid equipment

• Assembly points

• Other relevant emergency information

The diagram should be easy to understand, particularly for people who may be unfamiliar with the property.

For accommodation properties such as Airbnb and short-term rentals, clear emergency information can be particularly valuable because guests may have never visited the property before.

During an emergency, people need to know who to contact and what number to call.

Your emergency information should be easy to find and should include the appropriate emergency services number for your location.

Depending on your property, you may also need to provide contact information for:

• Property managers

• Building managers

• Maintenance personnel

• Security

• Other responsible persons

Keep emergency contact information current.

Even the correct equipment is of limited use if people cannot reach it.

Regularly check that fire safety equipment is not blocked by:

• Furniture

• Boxes

• Decorations

• Stored materials

• Appliances

• Other objects

Fire exits and escape routes should also remain clear.

Fire safety equipment should not simply be installed and forgotten.

Create a regular inspection and maintenance process appropriate for your property and applicable requirements.

Check for obvious problems such as:

• Damage

• Missing equipment

• Obstructions

• Expired or damaged components

• Missing signage

• Equipment that has been moved

• Smoke alarms that are not functioning

For equipment requiring professional inspection or servicing, use an appropriately qualified service provider.

Fire safety equipment is only one part of emergency preparedness.

During an emergency, occupants also need to know what to do and where to go.

That is why fire safety equipment should be considered alongside:

Detection → Warning → Evacuation → Emergency Response

An evacuation diagram can help connect these elements by showing occupants where they are and how they can reach an appropriate exit.

For property owners, this means that installing equipment is not necessarily enough. The entire emergency response system should be reviewed as a whole.

A good fire safety setup begins with understanding the risks associated with your property and the requirements that apply to it.

Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, emergency lighting, exit signage, emergency information, and evacuation diagrams can all form part of a property’s broader fire safety strategy.

Most importantly, make sure your fire safety arrangements are appropriate for your property and comply with the regulations that apply in your location.

If you’re unsure whether your evacuation information clearly shows the emergency exits and safety equipment in your property, RRS CREATIVE STUDIO can help create a clear, customized evacuation diagram based on your property’s actual floor plan.