Fire and Security for Mixed-Use Buildings — Why It Matters

Across the UK, more developments are combining residential, commercial, and retail spaces under one roof. From apartment blocks with ground-floor shops to large regeneration projects, mixed-use buildings are becoming the norm in modern urban design.

While they offer convenience and vibrant communities, they also present a complex challenge: how to keep every type of occupant safe under one coordinated fire and security strategy.

That’s where a tailored approach becomes essential.

Understanding the Challenge

In a mixed-use development, the risks vary dramatically between spaces. A restaurant, for example, carries very different fire hazards to an office or residential flat. Shared plant rooms, car parks, delivery areas, and vertical escape routes add further complexity.

Typical challenges include:

• Different occupancy types: Commercial, retail, and residential users with distinct safety needs.

• Shared infrastructure: Common corridors, lifts, and stairwells connecting multiple uses.

• Conflicting operational hours: Shops and offices open during the day, residents active in the evening.

• System integration: Fire alarms, intruder systems, and access control must operate together but remain secure between zones.

Without clear separation and coordination, one small incident could escalate quickly or disrupt unrelated parts of the building.

The UK Regulatory Landscape Relating to Fire and Security for Mixed-Use Buildings

UK fire and security legislation doesn’t treat mixed-use buildings as a single category - they fall under several overlapping standards and responsibilities.

• Fire Safety Order 2005 (as amended 2023): Requires a “responsible person” for each non-domestic area to complete and maintain a suitable fire risk assessment.

• Building Safety Act 2022: Introduces stricter oversight for high-rise and mixed-use residential developments, including the “golden thread” of safety information.

• BS 9991:2024 and BS 9999:2017: Provide guidance on fire safety design and management for residential and non-residential parts respectively.

In practice, this means that each section of a mixed-use building must have its own defined responsibilities, while a coordinated management plan ensures consistency across the entire site.

Designing an Effective Fire and Security Strategy

A successful strategy focuses on integration — ensuring systems communicate without compromising safety or privacy.

Key considerations include:

• Zoned fire alarm systems: Separate zones for commercial and residential spaces prevent unnecessary evacuations and false alarms.

• Smart detection: Multi-sensor detectors can distinguish between smoke, steam, and cooking fumes, reducing false activations in kitchens or retail spaces.

• Access control: Controlled entry between zones protects residents and prevents unauthorised movement through shared areas.

• CCTV coverage: Strategically placed cameras help deter crime in car parks, receptions, and delivery points while complying with UK GDPR requirements.

• 24/7 monitoring: Centralised monitoring ensures rapid response for both fire and security alerts, even when site management isn’t on duty.

Maintenance and Ongoing Compliance

Mixed-use developments evolve — new tenants move in, layouts change, and equipment ages. Regular maintenance and re-assessment keep systems compliant and reliable.

Under UK law, fire and security systems must be regularly tested, serviced, and recorded. For example:

• Fire alarms and emergency lighting should be tested weekly and inspected by a competent professional at least twice a year (BS 5839-1:2017, BS 5266-1:2016).

• Intruder and CCTV systems should be checked at intervals defined by the manufacturer and insurance provider, typically every six months.

Routine servicing not only ensures compliance but also reduces false alarms, system downtime, and insurance risks.

How Concept Fire & Security Supports Mixed-Use Developments

At Concept Fire & Security, we work with developers, managing agents, and building owners to design, install, and maintain fully integrated systems that suit the unique demands of mixed-use properties.

Our expertise covers:

• Fire alarm design and installation

• CCTV and access control systems

• Intruder alarms and monitoring

• Emergency lighting and safety signage

• Ongoing testing, maintenance, and compliance support

We’re SSAIB and SafeContractor accredited, giving clients confidence that every installation meets the highest standards of safety and reliability.

Whether your project involves a single mixed-use block or a multi-building estate, we can deliver a joined-up approach that keeps everyone protected.

👉 Contact Concept Fire & Security to discuss fire and security solutions for your development.