Co-working spaces blur traditional fire safety responsibility lines. Multiple operators, flexible layouts, and variable occupancy demand clear fire safety management.. Co Working Fire Safety The co working sector has grown exponentially, with over 6,000 flexible workspace locations in the UK. These spaces present fire safety challenges distinct from traditional offices. Responsibility Matrix In a co working building, fire safety responsibilities may be split between: Building owner/freeholder — structural fire safety, common parts Co working operator — fire safety within their demise, management measures Individual members/tenants — compliance within their allocated space Multiple operators — where more than one co working operator occupies a building Design Challenges Flexible layouts — desks, meeting rooms, and event spaces reconfigured frequently High occupancy density — hot desking at 3 4m² per person vs standard 6m² NIA After hours events — building used outside normal business hours for networking events Kitchen/social areas — more extensive cooking facilities than traditional offices Charging stations — multiple lithium ion devices charging simultaneously E scooter/e bike storage — battery fire risk in shared storage areas Fire Safety Measures 1. L2 detection minimum — coverage of all occupied and circulation areas 2. Emergency lighting — covering flexible layouts that may change 3. Fire extinguishers — positioned based on maximum layout, not current layout 4. Evacuation procedures — staff training must account for daily membership changes 5. Fire warden coverage — based on maximum occupancy, not typical occupancy 6. Visitor management — fire safety briefing for first time visitors/members 7. Access control — must not impede escape during emergency Legal Clarity The RRO 2005 requires clarity on who is the Responsible Person: Typically the co working operator for their demise Building owner for common parts and structure Fire safety management agreement essential Joint fire risk assessment covering interfaces Coordinated emergency procedures For co working fire safety, contact Magnus Opifex. Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD — UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy 🌐 magnus opifex.co.uk 📞 +44 7486 691724 ✉️ office@magnus opifex.co.uk Founders: Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby — CEO, Lawyer and Barrister, Legal & Administrative Director Alina — Technical Director & Expert Fire Engineer (BEng) Head Office: Ealing Cross, 85 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5BW Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers engineering led fire engineering, fire risk assessments, CFD modelling, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally. With over 20 years of combined experience and a UK portfolio spanning healthcare, residential and infrastructure, we bring truly engineered solutions with a personal touch. © 2026 Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD. All rights reserved.