At Twenty4 Fire & Security, we carry out site surveys, maintenance visits and compliance checks across Wales every week. Over the past year, clear patterns have emerged across the commercial premises we attend, and they raise important questions about how fire and security compliance is being managed in practice.
We recently reviewed findings from hundreds of commercial sites across Wales, including offices, retail units, warehouses, hospitality venues, education settings and mixed-use buildings. What stood out wasn’t reckless behaviour, but something more concerning: widespread non-compliance that many businesses simply aren’t aware of.
What we’re seeing on sites across Wales
Our internal review shows that fire alarm systems are one of the biggest problem areas. In 61 per cent of the premises we surveyed, systems were outdated, incorrectly designed or no longer suitable for the way the building was being used. Changes such as refurbishments, new layouts or increased occupancy had not been matched with a system review.
Maintenance was another recurring issue. Almost half of the sites we attended had missed at least one required inspection or testing interval for fire alarms, emergency lighting or extinguishers. In many cases, testing schedules had slipped gradually rather than being ignored outright.
Fire risk assessments also frequently fell short. Thirty-eight per cent of premises were operating with assessments that were out of date or had not been reviewed following changes to the building, its use or the number of people inside it. Emergency lighting failures were also common, with 34 per cent of sites showing issues such as failed fittings, poor coverage or incomplete testing records.
On the security side, 29 per cent of businesses were still relying on CCTV systems that were more than seven years old. These systems often produced poor-quality footage with limited evidential value and, in some cases, raised data protection concerns. In addition, 22 per cent of sites were unable to produce up-to-date compliance records when requested.
Taken together, these issues significantly increase risk. They affect how safely people can evacuate a building, how quickly incidents can be identified, and how well a business can demonstrate compliance if inspected.
Why these issues keep occurring
In our experience, most compliance failures develop over time. Buildings change, but systems do not always change with them. Offices are reconfigured, tenants move in or out, storage areas become workspaces and staff numbers increase. Without regular reviews, fire and security systems that were once compliant can quietly fall behind current requirements.
Another common issue is unclear responsibility. We often attend premises where maintenance is assumed to sit with a landlord, managing agent or previous contractor, resulting in missed inspections and incomplete records.
The real cost of getting it wrong
Non-compliance doesn’t always show itself until there is a problem. An outdated fire alarm may not provide adequate coverage. Failed emergency lighting can leave escape routes in darkness. Poor CCTV quality can make incidents impossible to investigate properly and expose businesses to unnecessary risk.
Many businesses only become aware of these issues following an insurer request, an inspection or a visit from enforcing authorities, at which point solutions can be more disruptive and more costly.
How Twenty4 supports Welsh businesses
At Twenty4 Fire & Security, our focus is on prevention and clarity. We work with businesses across Wales to review whether existing systems still match the way a building is being used, identify genuine compliance gaps and provide practical advice without pushing unnecessary upgrades.
Our aim is to make compliance straightforward, proportionate and manageable, while protecting people, property and business continuity.
Our conclusion
The data is clear. Most fire and security compliance issues we encounter are avoidable. Regular reviews, clear responsibility and professional guidance can prevent small oversights from becoming serious problems.
If you are unsure whether your current fire or security systems are still fit for purpose, now is the right time to take a closer look.
