How Can we Build Sustainable Fire Safety?

Global warming and climate change are intensifying every day. As we witness the daily impacts, we must embrace our shared responsibility to maintain sustainabile fire safety.

At OHEAP Fire & Security, we believe that fire protection and eco-responsibility go hand in hand. You shouldn’t have to compromise one to achieve the other. Rather proactive fire protection is its own form of sustainability.

Balancing fire safety and environmental sustainability is critical. Neglecting either can have catastrophic consequences for lives, assets and the planet. By embedding eco-friendly fire safety practices from design through installation and maintenance, we can protect both people and the environment without compromise.

Why Sustainability Matters in the Fire Industry

‘Sustainable fire safety’ is more than a buzz phrase. It means designing systems and selecting products that minimise environmental impact while delivering uncompromised protection.

Traditional fire safety approaches often rely on materials, chemicals and processes that work instantly but can increase emissions, waste or resource use. As regulations tighten and public awareness grows, the fire safety industry must evolve to meet environmentally responsible demands.

Eco-responsibility in fire safety means:

• Choosing materials with lower embodied carbon and minimal hazardous content.
• Ensuring equipment and agents are responsibly produced, maintained and disposed of.
• Running service programmes that extend usable life and reduce waste.
• Keeping supply-chains lean, transparent and aligned with sustainable values.

When we build sustainability into our everyday operations, we future-proof our approach, strengthen safety outcomes and build trust.

Fire Prevention: The Most Sustainable Protection

Every fire prevented is a win for both people and the planet.

Fires release pollutants, toxins, and carbon emissions. All of these byproducts harm air quality, ecosystems, and communities. Therefore, by focusing on prevention as much as protection, we reduce waste, safeguard buildings, and minimise the environmental toll of reconstruction.

That’s why OHEAP Fire & Security integrates fire prevention strategies into every design, service, and maintenance plan. The result? Helping clients reduce both risk and environmental impact from day one.

The Cost of Ignoring Sustainable Fire Safety

Tragic events such as the Grenfell Tower fire remind us how critical it is to balance sustainability with fire safety. Buildings may hold green credentials, but if they overlook fire performance, the outcome can still be catastrophic.

Focusing only on low-carbon materials or energy efficiency without considering fire risk may create new vulnerabilities: materials that ignite easily, insulation that fuels fire, or suppression systems that can’t keep pace.

At OHEAP Fire & Security, we believe that fire safety tools protect both people and the planet. Fire safety and sustainability should always move together, creating protection that is truly sustainable.

Can Sustainability and Fire Safety Coexist?

Yes, sustainability and fire safety can definitely co-exist.

Sustainable materials like recycled plastics, laminated or reclaimed timber and low-carbon alternatives are now engineered to meet rigorous fire safety standards. These innovations prove you don’t have to choose between protecting people and protecting the planet.

For example:

• Reclaimed timber can be treated to meet fire resistance benchmarks.
• Fluorine-free fire suppressant foams align safely with environmental responsibility.
• Smart suppression and nozzle technologies reduce agent usage while maintaining performance.

The key is integration: selecting sustainable materials, verifying their fire safety credentials, embedding fire risk assessment early and maintaining rigorous service regimes. When properly managed, both goals reinforce each other.

Going PFAS-Free: The Emerging Regulatory and Material Shift

One of the most significant changes in our industry is the shift away from PFAS. Often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’, these substances can be incredibly dangerous to the environment, particularly in polluting water, soil and living organisms.

Why it Matters

PFAS are highly resistant to degradation and are now heavily regulated. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) highlights their uncontrolled risks in certain firefighting applications.

What’s Changing in the EU

Under the REACH Regulation, the European Commission is restricting PFAS in firefighting foams and portable extinguishers:

• PFAS-containing portable extinguishers will be phased out after transition periods.
• Use of PFAS foams for training, testing, and fixed systems will have defined transition windows of up to ten years for some industrial sites.
• From 23 October 2026, PFAS-containing foams must be clearly labelled, and waste or unused agents must be collected and disposed of responsibly.

What This Means for You

Now is the perfect time to start moving towards a sustainable fire safety future. Choosing PFAS-free foams and extinguishers ensures compliance and signals environmental responsibility.

At OHEAP Fire & Security, we’re already aligned with this shift. Our eco-friendly extinguisher range helps businesses move to fluorine-free alternatives and support responsible agent disposal.

Responsible Disposal, Recharge and Servicing

Selecting sustainable materials and PFAS-free agents is only the start. Responsible disposal, refilling rather than replacing, recycled packaging and sustainable sourcing complete the picture.

Refill and Extend Rather than Replace

Instead of discarding fire extinguishers every five years, schedule discharge testing or recharging when safe and compliant. This approach:

• Reduces waste from decommissioned cylinders and packaging
• Lowers carbon footprint from manufacturing and transport
• Provides cost-efficient life-cycle management

Expert Tip: At OHEAP Fire & Security, our fire extinguisher servicing services safely dispose of failed units and refill old ones through discharge testing. This replenishes the extinguishing agents without scrapping the entire unit. In doing so, businesses extend their equipment’s life while maintaining safety.

Packaging and Supply-Chain Sustainability

Fire safety products come with packaging, logistics and supply-chain impacts. To prioritise sustainability:

• Choose manufacturers using recyclable or recycled packaging
• Work with suppliers committed to sustainable, ethical sourcing
• Opt for local or regional partners to reduce shipping miles and emissions

Disposal, Discharge and Waste Management

At end of life, all agents must be handled responsibly:

• PFAS or potentially PFAS-containing agents must be collected separately and never discharged into wastewater.
• Disposal must ensure PFAS (or other hazardous materials) are destroyed or irreversibly transformed. Incinerating the equipment may be required.
• Store waste or unused agents in secure, labelled containers until responsibly disposed of or recycled.

Taking a circular-economy mindset promotes longevity, reuse, recycling and minimal environmental impact.

Practical Ways to Be More Sustainable in Fire Safety

To advance sustainability and fire safety, here are actionable steps we recommend (and practice):

1. Sustainably dispose of waste: Segregate and recycle construction debris, packaging, and expired extinguishers.
2. Store combustibles safely: Keep fuels and oils in ventilated, ignition-free zones. Use flammable-liquid cabinets that are labelled and organised by compatibility.
3. Maintain an inventory log: Track materials, expiration dates, and inspections.
4. Conduct regular fire-risk assessments: Every sustainability improvement (such as solar-panel installation or new insulation) should trigger a new risk assessment.

Expert Tip: The new BS 8674:2025 introduces a three-tier competency system for fire-risk assessors. At OHEAP Fire & Security, our fire risk assessors meet the highest competency standard to ensure your site stays both fully compliant and sustainable.

5. Choose sustainable fire-safety equipment: Opt for fluorine-free extinguishers and efficient suppression systems that minimise water or agent use.

Expert Tip: Looking for a sustainable kitchen-suppression system? Our LPCB-approved systems feature adjustable nozzle placement to reduce agent waste.

Building Sustainability in the Fire Industry

Sustainability does not need to be a mysterious, difficult thing. Small steps towards sustainable fire safety can make a great impact. Some simple steps could be:

• Use alarms with extended battery life to cut waste and improve protection.
• Consider sustainable extinguisher options like fluorine-free Envirofoam.
• Reduce transport emissions by sourcing locally.
• Install sprinklers to limit fire spread and resource waste.
• Adopt fine-spray nozzles and handheld extinguishers that minimise agent use.

Conclusion: Sustainability and Fire Safety Go Hand in Hand

Ultimately, sustainability in the fire industry isn’t just about ‘going green’.

Rather, it’s about building resilience, reducing risk and protecting lives and sites. True sustainability means preventing fires, conserving resources, managing equipment responsibly and ensuring every eco-friendly move enhances, not compromises, safety.

By embracing sustainable fire safety practices, rigorous risk assessments and PFAS-free alternatives, we can create a world that’s both safe and sustainable for now and for generations to come.

Ready to make your fire protection more sustainable? Contact OHEAP Fire & Security to discuss PFAS-free solutions, refill services, and eco-responsible maintenance.