The 3 Most Overlooked Fire & Electrical Risks in 2025 — and Why Fire Alarm Maintenance in Nottingham Matters

Fire alarm maintenance Nottingham is one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of building safety in 2025. At Notts Fire & Electrical Ltd, we help local businesses across Nottinghamshire stay compliant, protected, and audit-ready through professional fire alarm servicing, emergency lighting testing, and full electrical compliance solutions.

Here are the three most overlooked fire and electrical risks in 2025 — and how to fix them before they threaten your business.

1. Outdated Fire Alarm Systems – “It still works” isn’t enough

When systems are over a decade old they may suffer from: sensor drift, outdated zone mapping, lack of integration with emergency lighting or suppression, and manufacturer support winding down.
Why it matters: A fire alarm system that gives slow or unreliable alerts can significantly delay evacuation, increase damage and risk non-compliance (and thus insurance issues). Salus Building Control and Fire Safety+1. Regular fire alarm maintenance Nottingham ensures early detection of faults and compliance with BS 5839 standards. Businesses that neglect maintenance risk downtime, fines, and insurance complications
What you should do:

• Arrange a fire alarm system audit by a competent provider.
• If the system dates from 10+ years, evaluate whether an upgrade is more cost-effective than patching cracks.
• Ensure consistent documentation: zone drawings, service logs, test records.
• Link your alarm system to your wider safety strategy (emergency lighting, evacuation plans).
  At NFE, we provide full audit + upgrade services for fire alarm systems, tailored to Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands, giving you both compliance and peace of mind.

2. Emergency Lighting – The silent hero that’s often ignored

When mains power fails — whether from fire, electrical fault or other disruption — emergency lighting is the system that keeps exit routes illuminated and occupant movement safe. But as many as 60%+ of commercial sites we inspect have at least one emergency light that is non-operational, blocked, or poorly located. Salus Building Control and Fire Safety+1
Regulatory context: Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and British Standard BS 5266‑1 for emergency lighting, non-domestic premises must ensure suitable systems, proper installation, and regular maintenance. firesafe.org.uk+1
Common issues:

• Exit signs not visible from all approach angles or blocked by stock/furniture.
• Battery backup units that haven’t undergone the full 3-hour drain test.
• Emergency lighting in areas neglected because they’re not public-facing (plant rooms, basements, stairwells).
  What you should do:
• Monthly “flick” tests: quick visual checks that lights turn on.
• Annual or full-duration tests (e.g., 3 hours) to check full operation.
• Ensure all escape routes, stairwells and high-risk zones are covered by the lighting plan.
• Keep full service/test logs for inspections and insurance.
  Our team handles design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency lighting systems, including servicing and certification under BS 5266-1 for commercial premises.
• Integrating fire alarm maintenance Nottingham with emergency lighting testing Nottinghamshire ensures all systems operate together seamlessly.
• Learn more here

3. Lack of Integrated Maintenance – When systems don’t “talk” to each other

A key trend we see is that fire safety (alarms, emergency lighting) and electrical safety (wiring, installations, load-management) are often treated as separate tasks by different contractors. That siloed approach can lead to gaps: missed hand-offs, inconsistent records, unclear ownership.
Why this matters: An electrical fault (ageing wiring, overloaded circuits) is one of the leading causes of commercial fires in the UK. Salus Building Control and Fire Safety Equally, a fire detection system without emergency lighting working in tandem may delay safe evacuation.
What you should do:

• Engage a partner who can deliver both fire systems and electrical services under one roof — simplifying accountability, documentation and communication.
• Create a combined schedule of inspections: electrical installations (e.g., EICR), fire alarms, emergency lighting and other fire-safety systems.
• Ensure logs and certificates are unified — so you can present a complete safety record to auditors, insurers or regulators.
• Use a “duty-holder” approach: assign one person in your business who oversees the safety ecosystem, even if multiple systems are involved.
  At NFE we offer fully integrated maintenance packages: fire alarms, emergency lighting, general electrical services — all coordinated, documented and delivered locally in Nottinghamshire.
• Integrating fire alarm maintenance Nottingham with emergency lighting testing Nottinghamshire ensures all systems operate together seamlessly.

Business Case: Why this matters for your organisation

• A fire incident can cause irrecoverable business disruption — studies suggest around 60 % of private businesses never recover after a major fire. london-fire.gov.uk+1
• A single electrical fault or out-of-date system isn’t just a safety issue — it’s a reputational risk, a compliance risk and a financial risk.
• For businesses with insurance or corporate governance requirements, having clear, up-to-date service records is essential.
• Yet many organisations treat fire & electrical safety as a “box ticking exercise” rather than a core operational capability.

Action checklist for you this month

1. Book a full site inspection covering fire alarm system age, emergency lighting coverage and electrical installations.
2. Review your service/test logs: do you have documented proof of monthly tests, annual full-duration tests, wiring inspections?
3. Update your internal owner: assign one person to oversee all fire & electrical safety systems (alarms, lighting, wiring), create a unified calendar.
4. Consider scheduling an upgrade if any system is 10+ years old or has missing documentation.

Why choose NFE (Notts Fire & Electrical Ltd)

As a locally based company serving Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands, NFE combines deep electrical and fire-safety experience with a single-point service model. You benefit from:

• Rapid response and local knowledge of regional building stock.
• Integrated fire & electrical services — fewer contractors, fewer hand-offs.
• Full documentation and compliance focus — giving you confidence with insurers and auditors.
• Clear, jargon-free advice — we speak plain English so you know exactly what you’re getting.
  If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out for a free site consultation: call 01909 286 986 or visit www.nfeltd.co.uk/contact.

Conclusion

Fire safety and electrical compliance are not just regulatory checklists — they are strategic business safeguards. By focusing on the three major risk-areas outlined above (outdated alarms, neglected emergency lighting, fragmented maintenance), you’ll move from reactive to proactive.
Don’t wait until an incident forces your hand. Take action now — your people, your property and your business continuity depend on it. For professional fire alarm maintenance Nottingham, call 01909 286 986 or book a free site consultation today.