The Textile Services Association (TSA) has announced a new Fire Safety Code of Practice audit programme for commercial laundries, aimed at strengthening fire risk management and providing a consistent, independently verified approach to fire safety across the sector.

Developed in consultation with TSA members, fire safety specialists, insurance brokers and independent audit provider WorkNest, the programme is designed to support commercial laundry operators in demonstrating effective fire risk management and improving standards across their sites.

The initiative also seeks to address challenges surrounding access to insurance within the textile care services industry.

Commercial laundries present a number of particular fire risks due to the combination of heat-generating equipment, combustible textiles, chemicals and often continuous operations. While operators generally maintain established safety procedures, fires within these environments can have significant consequences for life safety, property and business continuity.

The TSA believes that a consistent, independently audited approach will provide clearer evidence that appropriate fire prevention and risk management measures are being implemented across the industry.

Independent assessment

From January, the audit programme will be introduced across TSA laundry members.

Businesses operating one or two sites will have all locations audited during the first year. Larger multi-site operators will be assessed on a phased basis, with all sites expected to be covered within a three-year inspection cycle.

Members will normally receive at least six weeks’ notice before an audit, together with guidance outlining the assessment criteria, process and requirements.

Independent audits will be undertaken by WorkNest on a site-by-site basis.

Jeff Watkins, Head of Fire Safety at WorkNest, said the process is intended to recognise existing good practice while identifying practical opportunities for further risk reduction.

“The audit is not about catching members out or assuming that every improvement requires significant capital investment. It’s about recognising good practice, identifying meaningful opportunities to reduce risk and giving members a clear route towards demonstrating compliance with the Code of Practice.”

Supporting better risk management

The programme is also intended to provide insurers and brokers with greater assurance that fire safety controls are both documented and consistently implemented.

Emma Kiviniemi Wilson, Managing Director of the TSA, said:

“We were advised that an independently audited and industry-wide approach is the most effective way in which to demonstrate a consistent standard of fire risk management.

“We hope that the audit programme will build greater confidence among insurers, encourage more providers into the market and, over time, help to improve the availability and affordability of insurance for our industry.”

Andy Taylor, Client Director at insurance broker Marsh, added that independent evidence could help insurers develop a clearer understanding of the risks and controls within individual businesses.

“Insurers need clear evidence that effective fire risk-focused controls are not only documented, but also consistently implemented.

“Independent audits provide credible assurance and, over time, should support better informed conversations between textile service businesses, brokers and insurers about risk, resilience and insurability.”

The introduction of the audit programme reflects a wider focus on ensuring that fire safety arrangements are not simply documented, but are effectively implemented, maintained and reviewed.

For businesses operating in higher-risk environments, industry-specific guidance and independent assessment can provide an important additional layer of assurance, supporting both effective fire prevention and improved organisational resilience.

Independent evidence

For insurance specialists involved in shaping the audit programme, that independent evidence is a key part of the value. “Insurers need clear evidence that effective fire risk-focused controls are not only documented, but also consistently implemented,” stated Andy Taylor, client director at insurance broker Marsh. “Independent audits provide credible assurance and, over time, should support better informed conversations between textile service businesses, brokers and insurers about risk, resilience and insurability.”

Lisa Fry, director of laundry broking and risk management at Milsom Insurance Brokers, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how fires can have a devastating impact on laundries, their customers and hard-working members of staff. By establishing a clear and industry-specific standard for managing property and business risk, the Fire Safety Code of Practice represents an important step towards reducing both the likelihood and potential severity of these incidents.”

The audit programme has also been welcomed by operators with direct experience of the consequences of fire. Mark Middleton, managing director of Belmont Laundry and a TSA member involved in the audit’s development, explained: “Experiencing a serious fire brings home just how quickly a business, its employees, customers and years of hard work can be placed at risk. If these audits help more businesses to identify and address a vulnerability before a fire occurs, they will be seriously worthwhile.”

Andrew Glassford, the TSA’s project director, has overseen the audit’s development, duly working with contributors including WorkNest, Marsh and TSA members. “It’s great to see the Fire Code of Practice audit programme launch after so much collaboration between TSA members, insurers and fire safety specialists,” noted Glassford. “This takes us from agreeing good practice to being able to demonstrate it consistently across the industry, in turn helping members to strengthen their resilience and protect their businesses.”

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