Top Security and Fire Safety Challenges for Facilities Managers in 2026, And How to Overcome Them

In this guide, we outline the major difficulties for 2026 and share our practical, expert-backed solutions to help you stay protected, compliant, and prepared.

1. Complying with 2026 Legislation and Standards

Fire safety regulation strengthening continues in response to new risk types and rising expectations around building safety. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, introduced under the Fire Safety Order, place additional duties on responsible persons, particularly in multi-occupied residential buildings.

Industry guidance, such as PAS 9980 (for assessing external wall fire risk) and BS 5839-1:2017 (for fire detection and alarm systems), supports legal compliance by helping facilities managers evaluate fire risks, document responsibilities, and maintain effective safety systems.

Older premises, in particular, face more complex compliance risks, from inadequate detection coverage to challenges with emergency lighting and signage.

Solution: We provide comprehensive fire risk assessments, system audits, and bespoke fire alarm installations that meet the latest UK fire safety standards.

2. Cybersecurity Threats to Building Systems

As facilities adopt highly integrated technologies, like cloud-based alarm panels, remote monitoring, and smart CCTV, they face a new class of threats: cyberattacks on physical infrastructure.

A recent RICS report found that over 25% of UK businesses experienced a cyberattack in the past year, and 73% expect digital disruptions in the next two years (The Guardian, 2025). With fire detection and alarm systems increasingly networked or cloud-based, a cyberattack could prevent alarms from being triggered, received, or acted on, directly endangering life.

The Responsible Person is legally required to ensure that fire detection systems are maintained in an operational state (Articles 13 & 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005), including protecting them from foreseeable threats such as system failure or cyber compromise.

Solution: Ensure your fire and security systems is configured with secure encryption, remote monitoring, and built-in threat detection to help protect critical life safety infrastructure from disruption.

3. Managing Fire Safety in Ageing Buildings

Older buildings often predate modern fire safety regulations and may lack essential features such as:

• Adequate smoke and heat detection coverage
• Effective fire compartmentation
• Emergency lighting systems
• Clear and accessible escape signage

These legacy issues can significantly increase fire safety risks, particularly in converted commercial premises, multi-occupancy residential blocks, and ageing estates.

A current fire risk assessment, as required under Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, will determine whether existing fire precautions remain suitable and sufficient, and whether any upgrades are required to meet today’s standards.

Solution: Modern fire detection, compartmentation, and emergency lighting systems can be retrofitted in older buildings to support legal compliance and minimise operational disruption.

4. New Risks: EV Charging, Lithium-Ion Batteries & Climate Impacts

New risks are on the rise in 2026:

• EV charging stations and battery storage systems increase the threat of electrical fires.
• Lithium-ion battery incidents have surged, with UK fire brigades responding to over 1,330 such fires in 2024, a 93% increase since 2022 (International Fire & Safety Journal, 2024).
• The UK government also reported 211 e-bike and e-scooter fires in 2024, with 93% linked to battery ignition during charging (UK OPSS, 2024).

In business settings, 54% of UK companies reported lithium-ion battery incidents, with one in five experiencing fires or explosions (Aviva, 2025).

Solution: Fire risk assessments and appropriate detection systems should be implemented in areas containing EV charging points, battery storage facilities, or e-bike infrastructure. These measures support legal compliance and help future-proof fire safety strategy against emerging ignition risks.

5. Technology-Driven Prevention: Tools to Watch in 2026

Smart technologies are revolutionising facility safety by making systems more proactive and predictive.

Trending tools in 2026 include:

• AI-powered smoke detection with false alarm filtering
• Remote panel diagnostics and automated fault alerts
• IoT-connected emergency lighting
• Mobile alerts for live facility risk updates

Solution: Advanced detection and alarm technologies, including intelligent multi-sensor detection with advanced false alarm filtering, automated diagnostics, and IoT-enabled systems, can enhance fire safety across multi-site or complex environments. These tools support the early identification of risks and faults, helping duty holders maintain compliance with ongoing fire safety responsibilities.

Planning for the Future: Build a Safer, Smarter Facility in 2026

Fire and security threats are evolving, but with the right partners and planning, your facility doesn’t have to be vulnerable.

At IPS Fire & Security, we deliver:

• Compliance-first fire safety audits
• Retrofitted alarm and suppression systems
• Secure, tech-enabled monitoring
• Responsive 24/7 support and system maintenance

Sources

• UK Government: Fires in e-bikes and e-scooters (2024)
• International Fire & Safety Journal (2024)
• Aviva Risk Insights (2025)
• The Guardian Business Cyber Report (2025)