AED available for emergency use in a UK workplace

Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) quickly on someone experiencing cardiac arrest can make an enormous difference. More and more organisations are wondering whether they are legally required to have an AED. This includes companies, sports clubs and residential buildings. In this blog, we explain the rules and recommendations for the UK.

Is an AED legally required?

In the UK, there is no general legal requirement to have an AED. With one notable exception, state-funded schools in England, which are required under the Schools (Automated External Defibrillators) Regulations 2023 to have at least one AED on the premises, there is no law requiring companies, sports clubs or residential buildings to install an AED. However, more and more organisations are choosing to do so voluntarily because they want to take responsibility for the safety of their employees, members or residents.

In specific sectors or situations, an AED may be strongly recommended or included in guidelines, for example in high-risk professions or at locations where large numbers of people gather.

Companies and AEDs

Companies are not legally required to have an AED. However, they do have a duty to provide adequate first aid provision under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. Whether an AED counts as "adequate and appropriate" is determined through a first aid needs assessment, which may recommend an AED, especially for companies:

- with many employees or visitors,
- at locations where emergency services may have difficulty arriving quickly,
- in industries with increased health risks.

This picture has recently shifted further. The updated British Standard BS 8599-1:2019+A1:2026 now recommends that any workplace with five or more people present, staff, visitors and customers combined, should have an AED accessible within two minutes. This standard isn't law, but it is widely recognised as best practice for demonstrating compliance with HSE requirements. For this reason, more and more employers are voluntarily choosing to purchase an AED for their company.

Dental practices and AEDs

Dental practices are a notable exception. While there is no specific law stating that every practice must own an AED, under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, providers must be equipped with appropriate emergency equipment, including defibrillators, particularly where sedation is offered.

In practice, this is treated as close to mandatory. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) expects immediate access to an AED in every clinical dental area, and where one isn't available, inspectors expect to see a robust, realistic risk assessment explaining how one could be accessed in time. The General Dental Council also requires dental professionals to follow Resuscitation Council UK guidance, which likewise calls for immediate AED access in the event of a cardiorespiratory arrest.

In short: for dental practices, not having an AED (or a well-documented justification for its absence) is very likely to be flagged during a CQC inspection, making it one of the few sectors where an AED is, for all practical purposes, required.

Sports clubs and AEDs

The situation is slightly different for sports clubs. Although there is no legal requirement, an AED is strongly recommended at sports clubs and fitness facilities. Cardiac arrest can occur during intensive exercise, often due to an underlying heart condition that was previously unknown.

Because every second counts in such a situation, the rapid use of an AED can make all the difference. The Football Association, national governing bodies and other sports organisations strongly encourage the availability of AEDs.

Some local councils and community grant schemes offer funding to help sports clubs purchase an AED. Therefore, always check with your local authority or national governing body to see whether any options are available.

Having an AED in the clubhouse or near the pitches gives both athletes and spectators peace of mind. Discover the options for an AED at sports clubs here.

Residential buildings and AEDs

There is also no legal requirement for residential blocks or management companies to have an AED. Nevertheless, it can be a sensible choice to install an AED in an apartment building, especially when many of the residents are older.

A suitable location is often the main entrance or the car park, so that the AED is accessible to all residents.

Some residents' associations choose to share the costs. This makes purchasing an AED more accessible and not only increases safety but also strengthens the sense of community among residents.


An AED: not an obligation, but a responsibility

There is therefore no general legal requirement to have an AED, but for companies, sports clubs and residential buildings, it is often a logical and responsible choice, and increasingly the expected standard of care. An AED saves lives, especially because rapid deployment within the first few minutes is crucial in the event of cardiac arrest. The more accessible the AED is, the greater the chance that someone can be saved.

Are you considering an AED for your organisation? Take a look at our complete range of AEDs and outdoor AED cabinets to make sure you are properly prepared!