Fire safety is a critical concern for public sector organisations, from local councils and housing associations to hospitals and schools. With increasing regulation, the demand for high-quality fire protection services continues to rise. Yet, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the fire safety industry are unaware of the vast opportunities available through public sector contracts.
If your business provides fire safety services, whether passive fire protection, fire suppression, compartmentation, fire doors, fire alarms or prevention, there is significant potential for growth by tapping into government and local authority tenders.
Why the public sector?
The public sector is legally required to maintain high standards of fire safety, not just to meet compliance obligations but also to ensure the safety of employees, residents and service users. This leads to a consistent flow of procurement opportunities across various sectors, including:
- Education - schools, colleges, and universities require fire risk assessments, suppression systems and ongoing maintenance.
- Healthcare - hospitals, care homes, and clinics have stringent fire safety requirements to protect vulnerable individuals.
- Social housing - local authorities and housing associations regularly tender for fire door installation, compartmentation and alarm systems.
- Government buildings and offices - fire prevention and suppression systems are needed across councils, ministries and other public offices.
Unlike private sector contracts, public sector tenders offer long-term stability, regular income and structured payment terms, making them an attractive market for SMEs looking to grow.
What types of contracts are available?
The fire safety industry benefits from a range of contract opportunities, including:
- Fire risk assessments and consultancy - helping organisations identify and mitigate risks.
- Installation of fire protection measures - fire doors, alarms, sprinklers, and suppression systems.
- Maintenance and servicing - regular inspections and servicing to ensure compliance.
- Emergency planning and training - fire drills, evacuation plans and staff training.
Tenders can be one-off projects or longer-term frameworks that provide a steady stream of work over multiple years.
How to win fire safety tenders
Securing public sector contracts can be highly competitive, but SMEs can successfully navigate the process with the right approach:
- Register with procurement portals – Contracts Finder and Find a Tender are the main websites but local councils also often have their own portals so make sure you check there too. Complete Tenders also have an online directory of opportunities Open Tenders Search | Live Tender Search | Complete Tenders, where we collate all of the opportunities from both Contracts Finder and Find a Tender together, in one place.
- Understand the requirements - read the tender documents carefully and ensure your business meets the necessary accreditations (e.g., BAFE, IFSM, FIRAS, ISO standards).
- Demonstrate experience and compliance - showcase previous projects and highlight how your services align with regulations such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- Emphasise value and quality - public sector buyers seek value for money, but quality and compliance are just as important. Ensure your bid demonstrates both.
- Get expert help - tender writing can be complex, but working with a specialist bid writer can increase your chances of success by crafting a compelling, compliant, and competitive proposal.
With an increasing focus on fire safety legislation and compliance, the public sector remains a rich source of opportunity for SMEs. If your business isn’t already bidding for these contracts, now is the time to start.
Need help navigating the tendering process? Our expert tender writers can support you in identifying the right opportunities and crafting winning bids. Get in touch today to learn how we can help your fire safety business grow through public sector contracts.
