Fire Risk Assessments in Mixed-Use Properties: Balancing Multiple Occupancy Risks
By Kevin Howlette, Director, Lithium Fire at EHS International
Mixed-use buildings present one of the most complex challenges in fire safety management. Combining residential, commercial, retail, leisure or healthcare spaces within a single structure brings together a range of occupancy types, each with distinct fire risks, patterns of use, and evacuation requirements. Managing fire safety in these environments requires careful coordination, professional expertise, and active engagement with everyone involved.
Unlike single-use premises, mixed-use buildings create a complicated set of shared responsibilities. Fire safety systems may differ between occupancies, with various expectations placed on landlords, managing agents, tenants and sub-tenants. Escape routes often serve multiple units at once, increasing the risk of congestion during evacuation. Differences in operating hours, public access, storage practices and fire loads further complicate both prevention and emergency planning.
Without a clear oversight structure, fire safety management in these settings can quickly become fragmented. Responsibilities are often unclear, particularly where leases are loosely written or building works are carried out without proper fire risk input. This can lead to incompatible systems, blocked escape routes, and the gradual weakening of passive fire protection measures.
These weaknesses not only increase life safety risks but also expose duty holders to significant legal liabilities under the Fire Services Acts, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, and in many cases, multiple overlapping regulatory frameworks. Regulators expect clear evidence that fire safety measures are coordinated across the whole building and operate effectively together.
Inclusive Evacuation Planning
A vital part of any fire strategy is planning for individuals with mobility needs. This includes people with permanent mobility impairments as well as those with temporary injuries or conditions. Emergency planning must ensure inclusivity for anyone who may need extra support during an evacuation.
At EHS International, we help clients implement Mobility PEEPs (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans) for known individuals, and GEEPs (General Emergency Evacuation Plans) for visitors or occupants whose mobility issues may not be known in advance. This inclusive approach ensures that evacuation procedures meet the highest standards of health, safety and accessibility.
A Whole-Building Approach to Fire Risk Assessment
EHS International provides tailored consultancy for those managing mixed-use or complex occupancy buildings. Our fire risk assessments look at the building as a whole, focusing on how the various occupancies interact, rather than treating each one in isolation. We assess evacuation routes, fire compartmentation, alarm systems, suppression methods, and tenant fire safety management procedures.
We also support landlords and managing agents in defining responsibilities. This includes reviewing service charge agreements, advising on fire safety clauses in contracts, and helping to establish clear cooperation protocols with tenants. Our aim is to make fire safety a continuous, embedded part of property management, not a once-a-year compliance task.
Our assessments help you to:
Comply fully with complex legal duties
Clarify fire safety responsibilities for owners, agents and tenants
Avoid gaps or contradictions in evacuation planning
Identify weak points in infrastructure and management
Provide clear documentation for regulatory inspections and insurers
Plan for the safe evacuation of people with mobility needs
Managing fire risk in mixed-use properties calls for more than a checklist. It requires joined-up thinking and collaboration across all occupiers to ensure that one tenant’s risk does not endanger the safety of others. EHS International brings the independent expertise needed to bring all parts of your fire safety strategy together into one coordinated and compliant system.
Get in touch with EHS International for a thorough, inclusive fire risk assessment that protects your tenants, your property, and your peace of mind.