Safety12 checksweeklyabout 12 minutes, estimate; adjust for site

Fire safety checklist

This checklist covers extinguishers, exits, alarms and storage. Tick each item at the point of work and record any failure.

0 of 12 checked

1Check people and area

Exit routes are visibly clear [VERIFY]
Extinguishers have valid service tags [VERIFY]
Fire alarm status is checked by authorised staff [VERIFY]MUST
Fire door access is not blocked [VERIFY]

2Check controls and equipment

Flammables are stored as approved [VERIFY]MUST
Electrical hazards are referred to electrician [VERIFY]
Evacuation route display is legible [VERIFY]MUST
Emergency contact numbers are posted

3Act on findings

Alarm defects are escalated [VERIFY]
Unusable equipment is labelled [VERIFY]
Inspection findings are logged
Qualified review is scheduled [VERIFY]MUST

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Check before you rely on it. These need a check for your site or with the official source: Exit routes are visibly clear; Extinguishers have valid service tags; Fire alarm status is checked by authorised staff; Fire door access is not blocked; Flammables are stored as approved; Electrical hazards are referred to electrician; Evacuation route display is legible; Alarm defects are escalated; Unusable equipment is labelled; Qualified review is scheduled. This is a practical starting list, not a legal or safety certificate.

When to use it

The qualified fire safety reviewer uses this list on the selected weekly review day. Allow about 12 minutes for the checks, plus time for any problem found. Work from the site inspection register and the marked work area. Look at the actual item before ticking it. Mark No when evidence is missing and explain why.

Its scope is specific: extinguishers, exits, alarms and storage. First confirm exit routes are visibly clear, then examine the relevant work before approval or handover. The person named at the top should complete the checks as the work happens. Do not sign a page from memory later.

If an item is a "No"

For a failed (must) check, hold the affected work at its current stage. The qualified fire safety reviewer records the item, current job or lot, time and a clear note. Tell the person authorised to release that work. Do not tick Yes after simply sending a message. Recheck the item and record who accepted it before proceeding.

For this checklist, pay particular attention when flammables are stored as approved cannot be confirmed. Check the supporting record or the actual material. A photo alone may not prove a measurement or approval. Note missing evidence.

For other failures, name an owner and due date. Escalate safety, compliance or customer risks before release.

Common mistakes

Ticking extinguishers have valid service tags without looking at the actual item or source record.
Writing "done" when electrical hazards are referred to electrician has not been checked.
Closing the sheet even though alarm defects are escalated is still unknown.
Filing the page with no name, no date or no owner for failed items.

Make it your own

Print this on A4 or keep it in a shared sheet. Add a column for the person clearing each failed item. In a warehousing business, adapt the references to the part, lot, machine or delivery document your team actually uses. In food processing, name the local register and sign-off owner. Remove a check only if it truly cannot apply, and write down why. Do not remove critical safety or statutory checks without qualified review.

Try the list on a real job, then ask the qualified fire safety reviewer which records were hard to find. Keep one approved version with a revision date so the team uses the same checks.

Review required: This is a practical starting list, not a legal or safety certificate. Check the current rules and get a qualified person to review it for your site. Items marked [VERIFY] need a site-specific or official-source check before use.

A checklist only works if someone ticks it, every time, and someone reads it.

Questions people ask

Who should sign the fire safety checklist?

The qualified fire safety reviewer who performed the check signs it. If a different person approves release, capture that name too. Do not use another person’s signature.

What if exit routes are visibly clear cannot be confirmed?

Mark No, describe what you looked at and hold the affected work if it is a critical item. Ask the authorised owner to decide the next action. Keep the result in the same record.

Can we use the short version instead of the full checklist?

Use the short version for a quick reminder. The full list has the remaining checks, failed-item notes and signature. Keep it for the actual decision and review.