Quick answer
When an office building has no heating, prioritise occupant welfare first, then establish whether the boilers, circulation or controls have failed, record alarms and pressure readings, and call a commercial heating engineer. Communicate with occupants, consider safe temporary measures, and keep a record of temperatures and actions taken. HSE guidance suggests workplaces should normally be at least 16°C.
Priority 1: people
- check on vulnerable occupants and anyone working in the coldest areas
- measure and record temperatures in affected areas
- move people to warmer spaces where possible
- consider temporary heating only if it is suitable, electrically safe and does not create hazards
Priority 2: find out what has failed
| Observation | Likely area |
|---|---|
| Boilers in lockout or off | Boiler fault, pressure, gas supply, flue interlock |
| Boilers running, building cold | Pumps, valves, airlocks, controls |
| Some floors cold | Zone valves, secondary pumps, schedules |
| Heating started late | Time schedules, holiday calendars, optimiser |
Priority 3: record and escalate
Photograph BMS alarms and boiler displays, note the system pressure and the time, then call a commercial heating engineer. Our 24/7 contact line is 020 7998 9005.
Priority 4: communicate
Tell occupants what has happened, what is being done and when you will next update them. Keep landlords or managing agents informed where responsibilities are shared.
Safety reminder. If anyone smells gas or a CO alarm sounds, evacuate and call 0800 111 999. Do not let staff try to fix plant themselves.
After heating is restored
Ask for a written cause, check that temporary measures are removed safely, and review whether planned maintenance and controls checks need changing. See commercial heating repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Do staff have to go home if the office is too cold?
There is no single legal temperature at which staff must be sent home. Employers must keep workplace temperatures reasonable and assess the risk. HSE guidance suggests a minimum of 16°C for most office work. Options include moving people, temporary heating, adjusting hours or remote working.
Why does heating fail on Monday mornings?
Plant often starts from cold after the weekend, and schedule, holiday calendar or optimiser problems show up then. Boilers and pumps that have been idle may also fail to start.
UK guidance and references
Primary and industry sources relevant to this subject. Always check the current edition and how it applies to your building.
- Workplace temperatures Health and Safety Executive
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 legislation.gov.uk
This guide is general information for commercial building operators. It does not replace an assessment by a competent engineer. If you smell gas or a CO alarm sounds, leave the area and call 0800 111 999; if there is a risk to life, call 999.