Every week the Fire Brigade is called out to deal with fires in factories, offices, shops and other workplaces.  Apart from the obvious danger of loss of life and injury that fires cause, they also impact on the community, not only in monetary terms and inconvenience but also in job losses as many businesses fail to re-open after a serious fire.

 

Employers can help avoid a fire starting by carrying out a fire risk assessment.  The first step is to identify any fire hazards in the workplace.  These can be sources of ignition from the likes of electrical equipment, smoking, naked flames and arson, or work processes.  By reducing and controlling the amount of fuel or combustible materials in and around the building, will limit the size of a fire and also the chance of it spreading.

 

If a fire does start, workplaces need to have an effective way of detecting the fire and raising the alarm to warn people in the building that they need to escape.  To allow people to leave quickly, doors and escape routes need to be kept clear of obstructions and be well maintained. They also need to be lit by normal and emergency electric lighting where necessary.  The assessment will need to consider people with special needs be it restricted mobility, poor hearing, poor sight or any other form of disability.

 

All workplaces should be provided with suitable portable fire extinguishers, with consideration being given to the type of materials that may be on fire.  People should also be trained in how to use the extinguishers as well as trained in all the other aspects of the fire procedures for the building.

 

Once the risk assessment has been completed it is important to ensure that the fire safety measures and equipment in the workplace are kept in good working order by regularly testing and maintaining them.

 

The Fire Brigade can inspect workplaces to ensure that a risk assessment has been done and are available to give advice to assist employers.  Free leaflets are also available to assist in carrying out risk assessments and to help with the testing and maintaining of fire alarm and emergency lighting systems. 

 

Contact Fire Engineering helpdesk on 01429 874109 or click here for more information