Fire is the most devastating hazard for factories and warehouses. Cuts to fire services in the UK have led to extended response times and, when they arrive, firefighters are tasked with preservation of life, not property, and the effects of fire and smoke on buildings, machinery and stock can be compounded by water damage from fire hoses. These risks plus a variety of combustible materials on many sites show that a thorough fire risk assessment, updated regularly, its controls carefully maintained, is a necessity to safeguard businesses.