Arson is one of the many fire risks that property owners, landlords and managing agents cannot afford to overlook.
While many fire safety discussions focus on internal hazards, electrical faults, fire doors, alarms or emergency lighting, deliberate fire-setting can also create a serious risk to people, property and business continuity.
For those responsible for fire safety maintenance, arson control should form part of a wider fire safety management approach. This means identifying where a property may be vulnerable, putting practical arson prevention measures in place, and reviewing those controls as part of your fire risk assessment.
At Absolute Property Surveys, we help property managers, landlords and business owners understand their fire safety responsibilities and take practical steps to reduce risk across their buildings with aron prevention tips and comprehensive services.
What is arson control?
Arson control is the process of reducing the risk of deliberate fires being started in or around a property.
This can include simple, practical measures such as keeping external areas clear, securing waste storage, improving lighting, restricting unauthorised access and making sure fire safety systems are properly maintained.
Arson prevention is not only about stopping someone from entering a building. Fires can often be started externally, particularly where combustible materials, bins, waste, storage areas or unsecured access points are close to the premises.
For this reason, preventing arson should be considered as part of the overall fire safety strategy for your property.
Why does arson prevention matter
A deliberately started fire can spread quickly, especially if combustible materials are stored close to doors, windows, service areas or escape routes. Good arson control and comprehensive anti-arson policy helps reduce these risks by making it harder for fires to be started and easier for hazards to be identified before they become a problem.
Without appropriate addiction, the impact can be serious for the property owners, managers, and all building occupants. Arson can lead to:
- Risk to life
- Damage to buildings and contents
- Business interruption
- Disruption for residents, tenants or employees
- Increased insurance concerns
- Costly repairs
- Loss of access to essential areas
- Additional compliance issues
Who is responsible for arson prevention?
In business and other non-domestic premises, the responsible person has a legal duty to manage fire safety. This can include an employer, owner, landlord, occupier, facilities manager, building manager or managing agent, depending on who has control of the premises. GOV.UK guidance states that the responsible person must carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment to identify what needs to be done to prevent fire and keep people safe.
This means arson risks should not be treated as a separate issue. They should be reviewed as part of the property’s fire risk assessment and ongoing fire safety management.
For blocks of flats, commercial properties, offices, retail units, industrial sites and mixed-use buildings, the responsible person should consider how external and internal areas are being managed, especially where the building is accessible to residents, visitors, customers, contractors or members of the public.
7 Common arson risks around properties
Every building is different, but there are several common arson risks that property managers and landlords should look out for. These include:
- Poor waste management
Bins, recycling, packaging and discarded materials can all provide fuel for a fire. Because of this, efficient waste management is one of the most effective arson prevention tips for landlords and property managers.
Where bins are stored close to a building, under windows, beside doors or near escape routes, the risk is increased. UK guidance for small non-domestic premises advises that combustible materials, refuse and recycling bins should be kept clear of the premises or stored securely, and that bins accessible to outsiders should be lockable where they are close to the building.
3. Unsecured external areas
External stores, plant rooms, service yards, bin stores and car parks can all become vulnerable if access is not controlled.
If gates, doors or compounds are left unlocked, it may be easier for someone to access areas where combustible materials are stored. External stores and plant rooms should be kept locked to help prevent unauthorised access.
4. Combustible materials near the building
Wooden pallets, cardboard, furniture, rubbish bags, packaging and waste materials should not be allowed to build up against external walls.
Even where these materials are only stored temporarily, they can create an avoidable fire risk. Regular inspections can help ensure external areas remain clear.
5. Poor lighting
Dark external areas can make it easier for unauthorised activity to go unnoticed.
Good lighting around entrances, bin stores, car parks, side passages and rear access points can support arson control by improving visibility and deterring anti-social behaviour.
6. Vacant or partially occupied buildings
Vacant buildings can be particularly vulnerable to arson, especially if they are poorly secured, visibly empty or not regularly inspected.
Doors, windows, letterboxes, service entries and access points should be checked regularly. Any damage should be repaired quickly to prevent further unauthorised access.
7. Faulty or poorly maintained fire safety systems
Fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors and escape routes all play an important role if a fire occurs.
If these systems are not maintained, a small incident can become far more serious. Arson prevention should therefore work alongside wider fire safety maintenance and compliance checks.
8. Lack of CCTV Operation
CCTV plays an important role in reducing the risk of arson by acting as both a deterrent and an investigative tool. Visible CCTV cameras can discourage individuals from attempting to start fires, particularly in areas that are vulnerable to trespassing, vandalism, or anti-social behaviour. Modern surveillance systems can provide real-time monitoring of high-risk locations, allowing security teams or property managers to identify suspicious activity and respond quickly before an incident escalates.
In the event of a fire, recorded footage can also help establish how the incident occurred and support investigations by the emergency services and insurers. For commercial premises, vacant buildings, and higher-risk sites, CCTV forms a valuable part of a wider fire prevention and security strategy.
10. Practical arson prevention tips
To reduce the chances of deliberate fire setting and arson attempts , there are several arson prevention tips that all property managers and owners should take into consideration. Each of these could help save lives and reduce the risk of long-term property damage.
Arson prevention tips include:
- Keep bins, waste and recycling away from the building where possible
- Use lockable bin stores or secure compounds
- Avoid storing combustible materials near doors, windows or escape routes
- Keep external stores and plant rooms locked
- Improve lighting around vulnerable external areas
- Keep escape routes clear at all times
- Make sure fire doors are not wedged open
- Maintain fire alarm and emergency lighting systems
- Install CCTV cameras and systems to ensure you have a record of activity around your premise
- Review arson risks after incidents, vandalism or changes to building use
These measures can help reduce the chance of deliberate fire-setting and improve overall fire safety management.
How Absolute Property Surveys can help
At Absolute Property Surveys, we support landlords, managing agents, property managers and businesses with practical fire safety services.
Our team can help identify fire safety risks, review existing arrangements and provide clear recommendations to support compliance.
Our services include:
- Fire risk assessments
- Fire door inspections
- Fire strategy support
- Emergency lighting reviews
- Fire extinguisher servicing support
- Fire safety compliance guidance
If you are unsure whether your property is properly protected against arson risks, a fire risk assessment is a sensible place to start, and we are on hand to offer our advice and support in ensuring your property is safe from arson or other fire risks. Get in touch for a consultation, advice or a free quote.