All businesses have an obligation to their staff, clients and customers to ensure that effective fire safety procedures are in place. Indeed, it is not just an obligation – it is the law. Since October 2006, all businesses have to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. If you are an employer and you are looking to hire a staff member it’s often a good idea to use a recruitment agent who can run through all of the safety aspects with potential candidates before the interview.
More information on the Regulatory Reform can be found at the Health and Safety Executive website, while general guidance on fire safety for both businesses and householders can be found on the government’s website.
Here are five top safety tips for fire prevention in the workplace.
Keep your workplace cool
Keeping your workplace cool is very important for fire safety as overheating of certain items can lead to fires. For a great way to do this you could try a link such as https://alusystems.uk/brise-soleil-solar-shading/ with professional companies offering Brise Soleil solutions.
Designate Fire Wardens
All companies of a certain size should have designated people to act as fire wardens. The role of the warden is not confined to emergency situations. They should be vigilant at all times and be proactive in taking preventative measures. The training of fire wardens should be an ongoing exercise and regularly updated.
Install Sprinkler/Misting Systems
Fire sprinklers have been proven to be effective in tackling outbreaks of fire at commercial premises. However, one of the downsides to the traditional form of sprinkler is the possibility of water damage. This is where water mist devices such as Automist, which emit a fine spray, have the advantage.
Keep Fire Doors Shut
This may seem obvious, but there are thousands of fire doors in commercial premises across the country which are constantly propped open. Not only does this heighten the possibility of a fire spreading throughout the building, but it is also against the law. Fire doors need to be kept closed.
Reduce Fire Hazards
As part of the ongoing fire risk assessments which every business has to complete, any potential fire hazards should be noted and dealt with. Hazards could include piles of rubbish stacked up in a certain area, stores of flammable materials stored near to sources of heat or fire exits blocked by obstacles.
Have an Evacuation Plan in Place
An emergency evacuation plan should be kept on file in the fire risk assessment and regularly revisited in case of any building layout changes. All staff should be aware of the evacuation plan and what they need to do in an emergency situation.