TSA introduces Fire Safety Code of Practice audit for commercial laundries

The audit programme has been developed in consultation with TSA members, expert fire safety auditors, insurance brokers and independent audit provider WorkNest. It aims not only to further improve fire prevention in commercial laundries, but also address what continues to be one of the industry’s biggest challenges: access to insurance.

Commercial laundries generally maintain strong safety standards, but the combination of heat, textiles, chemicals and continuous operation means that the fire risk must be carefully managed at all times. When fires do occur, the impact can be severe. That has contributed to a more cautious insurance market, with some operators facing restricted cover and rising premiums.

The TSA’s new audit programme is intended to tackle that issue head on. Building on the Trade Association’s Fire Safety Code of Practice, it will provide an independent means of evidencing compliance with an industry-specific standard for fire risk management, while in parallel helping to show insurers that the sector is taking practical and measurable steps to reduce risk.

Consistent standard

“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,” explained Emma Kiviniemi Wilson, managing director of the TSA. “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.”

From January next year, the audit programme will be introduced for all TSA laundry members. Operators with one or two sites will receive audits across all of their locations in the first year, while larger multi-site businesses will be audited on a phased basis. All sites are scheduled to be covered within a three-year inspection cycle.

Members will normally receive at least six weeks’ prior notice of an audit visit, with full guidance provided in advance on the criteria, process and what to expect on the day.

WorkNest will deliver the independent audits on a site-by-site basis. “The audit is not about catching members out or assuming that every improvement requires significant capital investment,” affirmed Jeff Watkins, head of fire safety at WorkNest. “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.”

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.”

Autumn Conference 2026

The new audit programme will be discussed in more detail at the TSA’s Autumn Conference 2026, where fire safety and risk management will form part of the wider conversation about strengthening the future of the industry. It will also be available to non-members at a higher rate, although participation will only be mandatory for TSA laundry members. The cost for members will be £600+VAT per site, charged at cost, with no profit retained by the TSA.

*The TSA represents commercial laundry and textile rental businesses. Membership ranges from family-run operations through to large multinational companies. Further information is available online at www.tsa-uk.org