A Checklist for Compliance in Commercial Buildings

As a business or building owner, you have a legal obligation to ensure your property remains compliant with all relevant regulations. With numerous laws and safety requirements to track, it can be challenging to stay on top of everything.

Larger businesses often rely on facilities management companies to help with compliance, while smaller businesses may prefer to handle these tasks in-house. While this checklist isn't exhaustive, it provides an essential overview of the key areas you need to address if you are managing a commercial property.

This general checklist is aimed at businesses in the UK. Keep in mind that compliance requirements can vary based on the type of business, industry, and location. You may need to adapt it to suit your specific needs.

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☑ Gas and Plumbing Safety

📄 Keep gas appliances and equipment in safe working condition, in compliance with Gas Safety Regulations.

📄 Regularly check plumbing systems for leaks and potential hazards.

☑ Fire Safety

📄 Ensure the building is equipped with an adequate fire detection and alarm system.

📄 Test and maintain fire extinguishers, hoses, and emergency lighting.

📄 Establish clear evacuation procedures and assembly points.

📄 Conduct regular fire drills to ensure employees are familiar with evacuation procedures.

☑ Signage & Emergency Exits

📄 Clearly mark emergency exits, escape routes, and safety equipment with appropriate signage.

☑ Health & Safety

📄 Develop a Health and Safety policy and perform regular risk assessments.

📄 Provide employees with necessary safety equipment.

📄 Display relevant safety signs and warnings throughout the building.

☑ Electrical Safety

📄 Ensure electrical installations comply with regulations and are safe.

📄 Regularly inspect and maintain electrical wiring and equipment.

📄 Keep records of electrical inspections and maintenance activities. PAT testing is recommended for electrical items.

☑ Building Structure & Accessibility

📄 Ensure the building structure adheres to relevant building codes and regulations.

📄 Verify accessibility for individuals with disabilities (e.g. ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms).

☑ Building Permits/ Planning Permissions

📄 Confirm that the building has the required planning permissions and permits for its current use.

📄 Check if any recent modifications to the building need additional permits.

☑ Lifts

📄 Ensure lifts are regularly inspected, certified, and maintained according to regulations.

☑ Security

📄 Implement appropriate security measures to protect the building and its occupants.

☑ Energy Performance

📄 Obtain and display an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) if required for the building.

☑ Noise Levels

📄 Manage noise levels in the building and adhere to regulations regarding workplace noise.

☑ Waste Management

📄 Comply with waste disposal regulations, ensuring proper waste management and recycling practices.

☑ Asbestos

📄 If the building was constructed before 2000, ensure compliance with asbestos regulations.

📄 Conduct asbestos surveys and maintain an asbestos management plan if asbestos is present.

☑ Ventilation & Air Quality

📄 Ensure adequate ventilation and air quality, especially in areas with pollutants or hazardous materials.

☑ Environmental Regulations

📄 Comply with relevant environmental regulations concerning emissions, waste, and pollution.

☑ Occupancy/ Capacity

📄 Ensure the building doesn't exceed its maximum occupancy and remains within capacity limits.

☑ Building Insurance

📄 Verify that the building’s insurance is up-to-date and meets the business’s needs.

☑ Public Health Requirements

📄 Meet public health requirements for specific industries, such as food preparation and handling (e.g., for restaurants or factories).

☑ Visible Certificates & Licences

📄 Display all required certificates, licenses, and permits in a visible, accessible location.

☑ Record Keeping

📄 Maintain records of inspections, maintenance, and actions taken to address compliance issues.

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Regularly review your building maintenance compliance

It's important for businesses to regularly review and update their building compliance checklist to stay in line with current laws and regulations. Consulting with professional experts can help ensure all areas are covered comprehensively. Certain businesses may have additional compliance issues specific to their industry, such as food handling or healthcare. We've mentioned some of these concerns briefly.

For extra peace of mind, a Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) contract with The Oltec Group ensures that your commercial building’s assets are well-maintained, safe, and compliant. Our experts in commercial boilers, air conditioning, and plumbing services, along with a range of other building services (fire detection systems, PAT or legionella testing, lift maintenance, etc.), can be incorporated into a tailor-made contract to meet your specific needs.