Fire procedures for a UK pharmacy

A pharmacy must have clear local fire procedures so staff know what to do before, during and after a fire. Procedures should match the premises layout, the people who use it, the equipment on site and staff roles. Online training raises awareness; local procedures turn that awareness into practical action.

UK-wide principles, nation-specific law

The practical expectations covered here apply across the UK: assess risk, control hazards, keep alarms and escape routes working, train staff and have workable emergency procedures. The legal framework differs between nations, so owners and managers should ensure local procedures follow the law and official guidance for their jurisdiction.

• England and Wales: fire safety in most non-domestic premises is mainly governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• Scotland: the main framework is the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 together with the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
• Northern Ireland: the main framework includes the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.

For day-to-day staff, these differences rarely change the basic emergency actions described in this page. Those responsible for procedures or risk assessment must make sure local arrangements match the correct national framework.

What local fire procedures should cover

A pharmacy fire procedure should set out prevention measures, how to raise the alarm, evacuation responsibilities, emergency contact arrangements and what to do after evacuation. It should be easy to find, plain to read and reinforced during induction and refresher training.

• Fire prevention: safe storage, electrical safety, good housekeeping and reporting hazards.
• Alarm activation: how to raise the alarm and who to inform.
• Evacuation roles: who checks key areas, who assists customers or patients and where everyone assembles.
• Emergency contact: who calls 999 and what information to give.
• Re-entry rules: no one returns until the fire and rescue service confirms it is safe.

Example fire procedure points for pharmacy teams

• Raise the alarm immediately if a fire is discovered.
• Evacuate by the nearest safe route.
• Help patients, customers, visitors and colleagues who need assistance.
• Close doors behind you if this is part of local procedure and it is safe to do so.
• Go to the designated assembly point and help confirm who is present.
• Call 999 and report the fire clearly.
• Do not re-enter the building unless authorised by the fire and rescue service.

Routine checks and maintenance

Effective fire procedures rely on routine checks and maintenance. Staff should know that daily awareness and scheduled testing support emergency action.

• Daily checks: exits unlocked where appropriate, escape routes clear and fire doors unobstructed.
• Weekly or scheduled checks: alarm testing as set out in local arrangements.
• Regular equipment checks: extinguishers, emergency lighting and other fire-safety systems maintained according to policy and contractor schedules.
• Recorded action: tests, drills, faults and follow-up actions should be documented.

Fire procedures should not exist only on paper. Staff must know the local plan, understand their role and be confident that evacuation systems and emergency equipment are checked and maintained.