Fire & Arson

Terrorists and state-backed actors may use fire and other forms of arson as a cheap, effective and highly-damaging weapon.  This page provides guidance from emergency services, security professionals and others.

Last Updated: 30 April 2025

Threat Information

Threat from Fire
Recognising Terrorist Threats Guide
Marauding Terrorist Attacks (MTA)
Fire as a Weapon - Threat Methodology

Plan & Build

Fire As An Act Of Sabotage Guidance
Plan & Build

Guidance of the mitigation of the risks associated with the use of fire as an act of sabotage

Threat from Fire
Plan & Build

Fire may be used to devastating effect by those wishing to cause harm to people, premeditated damage to property, or a combination of both.

Fire as a Weapon
Featured Guidance

Guidance on the mitigation of the risks associated with terrorist use of fire

Operate & Detect

Protection of Security Officers at Facility
Operate & Detect

Security officers play a crucial role in the protection of an asset and consideration of their safety and protection is needed

Test Methods for Screening Equipment for High Footfall Locations
Operate & Detect

NPSA identified a need for test methods that evaluate baseline performance of products suited to screening applications in high footfall locations.

Response & Review

Evacuation, Invacuation and Lockdown Guidance
Response & Review

The purpose of this document is to support those tasked with drafting, developing or reviewing policies and procedures for evacuation, lockdown and invacuation

Complete Guidance

Fire As A Weapon Guidance
All Stages

Guidance on the mitigation of the risks associated with terrorist use of fire

Search and Screening - Explosives, Weapons and CBRN Detection
All Stages

Organisations may use search and screening measures to detect specific items and materials entering (or leaving) their buildings and sites

Explore all guidance

NPSA’s advice and guidance covers a broad range of protective security topics. By using the filters on the all guidance page, you can find specific content for your needs.

View all guidance

Related Protection From pages

Related Tools & Resources

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill has been introduced to Parliament

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill - Martyn's Law - has been introduced to Parliament, requiring those responsible for public premises and events to consider the threat from terrorism and implement appropriate mitigation measures

First Aid - The role of Security Control Rooms during a terrorist attack Supplementary Guidance

NPSA has produced a supplementary guidance regarding First Aid and the role of Security Control Rooms during a terrorist attack

Fire as a Weapon

In collaboration with the Home Office, National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), NPSA have produced new guidance on Fire as a Weapon (FAW)