Preparing for the PFAS Transition: A 2026 Fire Safety Perspective
In October 2025, the EU announced a phased ban on PFAS in firefighting foams. Although the UK has not yet adopted the EU approach, surveys and consultations are still ongoing by both the UK government and Defra.
Eight months on from the announcement, OHEAP Fire and Security are turning their attention away from the legislation itself to how to support organisations in preparing for change.
Are UK businesses facing immediate disruption from PFAS regulation, or is there still time to prepare?
UK businesses are not yet facing any immediate regulatory deadline; however, the direction of travel is clear: organisations will increasingly be expected by customers, procurement frameworks and, ultimately, legislation to adopt PFAS-free alternatives. Indeed, as the fire safety industry enters a period of transition, the key question is no longer whether change is coming, but how businesses can prepare effectively.
As government guidance evolves, organisations will increasingly face scrutiny around PFAS use. Environmental expectations, procurement requirements, waste disposal obligations and long-term asset management considerations are all driving businesses to review their existing fire protection strategies to ensure they meet compliance and customer expectations on environmental sustainability.
Should Businesses Act Now?
There is currently no legal requirement to replace PFAS foam fire safety equipment. To clarify: PFAS foam is still safe and legal to use. However, there are already a variety of PFAS-free alternatives available to businesses should they wish to act early. These include, but are not limited to, fluorine-free foam fire extinguishers, water alternatives and specialist wet chemical fire extinguishers.
OHEAP Fire and Security have started assisting larger sites with building PFAS transition planning into their maintenance and replacement programmes. Some businesses with an ISO 14001 certification who are dedicated to minimising their environmental footprint are choosing to replace failed foam units or those approaching their five-year discharge test for PFAS-free alternatives. This simultaneously spreads costs over time while reducing future disruption.
With limited UK facilities currently available to safely and sustainably dispose of PFAS foam in firefighting equipment, OHEAP Fire and Security forecast that when the ban is officially in place there will be increased disposal costs exacerbated by time-sensitive deadlines. Thus, early planning is critical to managing the PFAS transition effectively. Those that act now will be better positioned operationally, commercially and reputationally than organisations forced into a reactive transition later.
Why Acting Reactively Creates Risks
Complying with PFAS restrictions is key; yet businesses must still maintain fire safety performance as the overriding priority. In higher-risk environments, replacement products and system changes must be carefully assessed, thoroughly tested and proven suitable for the specific risks they are designed to protect against. Ultimately, the organisations that will adapt most successfully are those that view PFAS not simply as an environmental issue, but as part of a broader approach to operational resilience, compliance and long-term fire protection management.
“Sustainable fire safety is a key part of our mission,” says Nicholas Heap, Managing Director at OHEAP Fire and Security. “The PFAS ban must be met with clear planning and guidance. It is our responsibility to help our customers navigate these changes in a planned, compliant and cost-effective way.”
Through ongoing maintenance programmes, compliance audits and fire protection consultations, OHEAP Fire and Security is already supporting organisations as they assess the operational impact of the PFAS transition. With more than 60 years of industry experience, the company continues to help businesses make informed decisions that balance compliance, sustainability and fire safety performance.
For more information please visit OHEAP Fire and Security website.
