Surprising Fire & Security Statistics Every Business Should Know in 2025

When it comes to protecting your business, most owners and managers believe they have a good handle on fire safety and security. But the data tells a very different story. Across the UK, thousands of businesses face avoidable losses every year—many of them preventable with routine maintenance, compliant systems, and proactive planning.

At Twenty4 Fire & Security, we see the impact of missed inspections, outdated equipment and unmonitored systems every day. To highlight just how important proper protection is, here are some surprising fire and security statistics every business should be aware of.

Half of Business Fires Are Caused by Faulty Equipment

According to Fire and Rescue Service data, over 50% of non-domestic fires are caused by faulty appliances or electrical equipment.

What’s even more surprising? A large proportion of these issues could have been picked up during routine maintenance, PAT testing, or EICR inspections.

What this means for businesses: Regular electrical compliance checks are not optional—they’re essential for preventing avoidable fires.

60% of Businesses Never Fully Recover After a Major Fire

The business impact of a fire goes far beyond the immediate damage.
Studies show that six in ten businesses fail within two years of a serious fire.
Between downtime, insurance complications, lost customers, and rebuilding costs, the long-term impact can be devastating.

The real takeaway: Prevention and rapid detection systems are worth far more than the cost of repair.

3. A Third of Intruder Alarms Fail Due to Lack of Maintenance

It’s estimated that one in three intruder alarms fail to activate during a break-in because they haven’t been serviced regularly.
This isn’t usually a system design issue—it’s a maintenance issue.

Typical causes include:

Dead backup batteries
Sensor malfunctions
Damaged wiring
Outdated control panels

With intruder crime on commercial premises rising again year-on-year, a non-functioning alarm can be a costly oversight.

4. CCTV Footage Is Unusable in 40% of Incidents

One of the most surprising statistics relates to CCTV.
Police reports show that up to 40% of CCTV footage captured during incidents is unusable due to:

Poor camera quality
Incorrect positioning
Dirty or damaged lenses
Recording system faults
Missed maintenance

For many businesses, CCTV only becomes a priority after an incident—when it’s already too late.

5. 70% of Fire Doors Fail Their First Inspection

Fire doors are one of the most misunderstood life safety assets in a building.
Shockingly, around 70% of fire doors fail initial inspection due to issues such as poor installation, lack of maintenance, or missing intumescent seals.

Why this matters:
A failed fire door can dramatically speed up the spread of smoke and fire, putting lives at risk and potentially invalidating insurance.

6. Businesses Lose an Estimated £1 Billion Each Year to Security Failures

Between break-ins, vandalism, theft and unauthorised access, UK businesses lose over £1 billion annually due to security failings.
Many of these incidents happen at premises with:

Unmaintained access control
Broken or unused CCTV
Poor lighting
Faulty automatic gates or barriers
Outdated alarm systems

A well-maintained, modern system drastically reduces these risks.

7. 85% of Fire Safety Breaches Happen Because Businesses Miss Key Deadlines

Fire safety compliance isn’t difficult on its own—but staying organised is.
Data shows that the majority of breaches occur because businesses simply forget:

Service due dates
Required inspections
Document renewals
Maintenance visits

This is exactly why automated scheduling and bundled services—like the Twenty4 SmartPlan—are transforming how businesses stay compliant.

How Twenty4 Can Help Protect Your Business

From fire risk assessments and extinguisher servicing to CCTV maintenance, access control, intruder alarms, electrical compliance and more, Twenty4 provides complete protection for your premises.

And with our SmartPlan, you can bundle the exact services you need into a simple, affordable monthly plan—complete with automated scheduling and 24/7 emergency response.