Failing to take the appropriate steps to both prevent and manage fire risk isn’t just a foolish oversight. As a business owner, it is a legal obligation to protect the premises, workers, customers, and neighbors from the risk of fire.
Expert Fire Solutions’ director and fire protection specialist Alan Raine has come up with five fundamental fire safety tenets that every business should stick to. Follow Alan’s advice and be rest assured that as well as protecting the business from fire, one will be on the right side of the law too.
Step 1: The Fire Risk Assessment
The fire safety strategy for any and every business has to start with a comprehensive fire risk assessment.
A fire risk assessment is a legal obligation for every non-domestic building in England and Wales
A fire risk assessment is a legal obligation for every non-domestic building in England and Wales and, by law; it must be carried out by a “competent person”. This can either be the “responsible person” (i.e. the employer, landlord, occupier, or manager of a business or property) or someone appointed by the responsible person with the relevant education, training, knowledge, and experience to understand the principles of fire safety, i.e. a professional fire risk assessor.
If one isn’t confident that their knowledge of fire safety protocol is completely up to speed, the best course of action is to employ fire safety specialists. The qualified assessors will visit the premises for a full fire risk assessment inspection and produce a comprehensive written report, detailing the company’s current fire safety status and any areas where it must improve to meet legal requirements.
Step 2: Fire Safety Training for Staff
The law states that a company must provide fire safety training for new staff when they start work and tell all employees about any new fire risks. The company should also carry out at least one fire drill a year with staff.
Step 3: Identify and Install an Adequate Detection System
There are no two ways about it, early warning systems save lives. By law, one must have adequate fire detection and warning system that is appropriate for the premises and the nature of the business.
A comprehensive fire risk assessment will identify the type of fire alarm and smoke detectors required and will also determine the most appropriate places to locate them.
Step 4: Install Adequate Fire Protection Equipment
Again, the type of fire protection equipment, such as fire extinguishers, its need will vary according to the premises and the nature of the business. By law, one must have the appropriate equipment and train the staff on how to use them if necessary.
Step 5: Regular Maintenance and Testing of Equipment
The law states that one must carry out regular maintenance and testing to make sure:
- All fire alarm systems are working
- Emergency lighting is working
- Fire extinguishers are full & working correctly
- Any faults in systems and equipment are recorded
- Automatic fire doors close correctly
Fire alarms and emergency lighting should be serviced twice a year by a competent technician.
Overall
By following these 5 steps, one can effectively protect the business from a fire.