Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Understanding the difference between fire protection and fire prevention is essential for ensuring the safety of both people and property in any residential, commercial, or industrial setting.

Both aspects are essential for a comprehensive fire safety strategy and while both terms may seem similar at first, they represent two different approaches to managing the risk of fire. Each one describes distinct strategies and measures to minimise the risk of fire and mitigate its consequences, but fire prevention is all about avoiding fires, while fire protection is about mitigating the damage caused by fires.

Remember, a holistic approach to fire safety protects lives and promotes a culture of responsibility and awareness that ultimately benefits everyone.

In addition to these two terms, there is also fire suppression. This is another fire safety strategy, where the goal is to put out a fire that has started as quickly as possible.

This article looks at each of these elements, what they entail, how they differ, and how they work together to create comprehensive fire safety systems.

Fire prevention

Fire prevention involves taking measures to prevent fires from occurring in the first place – this means prevention systems are prepared so a building’s fire load is as low as it can possibly be. ‘Fire load’ is a term used by fire protection professionals to determine the potential severity of a fire in a building, based on the presence of certain hazards.

Prevention refers to placing down systems and processes that stop a fire from occurring in as many cases as possible. These systems are both passive and active:

• Active systems are initiated when a fire starts and they help fight it. They include fire alarms and sprinklers.
• Passive fire protection systems are structural measures designed to contain a fire and prevent flames and smoke from spreading. These include fire doors, fire barriers, and any measure that keeps exit routes safe and accessible.

Other fire prevention measures include:

• Regular inspection of electrical systems, heating equipment, and appliances.
• Enforcing anti-smoking policies and designated smoking areas.
• Proper storage and handling of flammable materials and chemicals.
• Implementing fire safety training and educating people about the dangers of fire and how to reduce the risk of a fire occurring.

Fire protection

Fire protection involves taking measures to minimise the damage caused by a fire once it has started. Often these measures are implemented during the design stages of a new building. The aim of a fire protection system is to protect a building’s occupants and minimise the damage associated with fire.

Overall, the goal is to provide the widest possible window for a safe evacuation, whilst also reducing potential repair costs.

Like prevention, fire protection consists of both passive and active systems:

• Active systems are engaged in the event of a fire and are designed to help fight it. Examples include sprinklers, installing and maintaining smoke detectors, and fire alarms.
• Passive fire protection systems are structural measures designed to contain a fire and prevent flames and smoke from spreading. Passive examples include compartmentalisation to keep fire or smoke contained to a certain area. This can be seen in applications like fire doors and cavities. On top of this, constructing buildings with fire-resistant materials and fire barriers (in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire) which absorb heat can help keep fire from spreading into an evacuation route.

Other fire protection measures include:

• Providing fire extinguishers at key points in the building.
• Practicing emergency evacuation plans and fire drills.
• Ensuring that fire exits are clearly marked and accessible.

Fire suppression

So, fire prevention aims to reduce the risks of a fire, and fire protection is designed to protect occupants and the building from harm. What is the goal of fire suppression then? The answer is that suppression is meant to put out and keep the building standing while minimising damage.

Fire suppression systems are considered active as they are triggered by the presence of a fire. They are connected to a detection system and are activated when they detect a fire through smoke, heat, or both. Examples of suppression include fire sprinkler systems that douse the fire with water. 

In some fires, however, water will not be effective in putting them out. If the fire is electrical or involves flammable gas/metal or grease/oils, then other types of agents should be used to extinguish the fire: such as carbon dioxide, dry chemicals, or foam water. 

Conclusion 

It is important to remember that fire prevention, fire protection and fire suppression systems are essential for a comprehensive fire safety strategy. These systems must be implemented and maintained in any residential, commercial, or industrial setting.

If you want to learn more about fire prevention and protection through our range of courses, you can get in touch with our friendly customer service team by calling us on 01327 552160, email us at hello@smarthorizons.co.uk, or use the live chat feature on this website to speak to us during office hours.

Related Links

• Fire Safety in Construction
• Fire Extinguisher Quiz
• Fire Safety Training for Staff

The post What is the difference between fire protection and fire prevention? appeared first on Fire Training Company.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Our last blog, Fire Safety in Construction, made the case that fire safety is an important consideration for construction, demolition and building refurbishment projects and it discussed why these sites are particularly susceptible to fires and the reasons why.

In this blog, we review the important practical fire safety and emergency procedures and systems that must be put in place to reduce the risk of fire and provide a safe environment. We also look at the role of the appointed ‘responsible person’ for fire safety and prevention on construction sites and the steps they need to take to put together an effective fire risk assessment. Finally, we list all the relevant guidance, regulations and reference documents that you can refer to for more information.

Responsible person and the fire risk assessment

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) stipulates that the ‘responsible person’ or somebody nominated by them is in charge of fire safety and is legally accountable. This will take into account anybody who may be affected by a fire, including visitors and areas where there is a high possibility of a fire breaking out.

The responsibilities include undertaking a legally compliant fire risk assessment (FRA). This is undertaken in a five step process:

1. Identify fire hazard – In the previous Fire Safety in Construction blog we outlined the main fire hazards found on a construction site, this consisted of the common fuel and ignition/heat sources. Once identified these hazards should be documented as part of the Fire Risk Assessment. 
   
2. Identify people at risk – This could include employees, contractors, visitors and anyone who is vulnerable.
   
3. Evaluation and risk reduction – This step includes putting measures in place to ensure risk to the above fire hazards and risk is eliminated/reduced. This may include detection and firefighting equipment, devising emergency fire evaluation plans, putting up fire safety signs and ensuring fire safety equipment is available and inspected.
   
4. Record, plan and train – This is a written record of your fire risk assessment if you have five staff or more. This clear plan is made to ensure everybody understands what they need to do in the event of a fire.
   
5. Review – The risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and updated if necessary. 

Practical Fire Safety Measures for Construction Sites

There are a number of practical fire safety procedures to prevent fire, minimise the risk of injury and provide a safe environment for all workers. This includes ensuring you have the right equipment, creating planned evacuation routes and exits and implementing warning alarms and fire detection systems. 

Emergency procedures, routes and fire exits

Construction sites do differ from standard buildings as access is often restricted and there is no clear way for people to exit the structure. To minimise the risk to staff a planned set of evacuation routes and exits should be devised and communicated to all workers before construction starts.  As a precaution there should alternative escape routes.

These routes should:

• be signposted clearly
• be free of obstructions, directing people to the nearest exit
• use protective fire compartmentation through the use of fire doors, stairwells and corridors
• have emergency lighting if required
• have a safe designated area for people to gather after getting out of the building. 
  

Fire fighting equipment

Fire suppression equipment, such as fire extinguishers should be provided in high-risk areas (e.g. where hot works is being undertaken) and all workers should know how to use the equipment. Once again all construction sites are very different so a small site may only need handheld extinguishers, but larger sites may require something more complex like a fire sprinkler system.

Fire detection alarms and warning systems

A warning system must be set up in order to alert people to any fires. The types of systems used will depend on the nature of the site, on larger sites then this may include an interconnected automatically triggered fire detection system. On smaller sites this could just be somebody alerting everybody of the fire or the use of horns etc.

Conclusion

Construction sites are dangerous places and fire on a site can put workers’ lives at risk and cause material damage and financial loss. As well as exercising control over ignition and fuel sources to control or eliminate hazards there are practical measures you can put in place for fire safety prevention and minimising risk. On every construction site there must be a ‘responsible person’ whose duty it is to ensure that fire safety measures are enforced. Effective site management is also critical to stop fires from starting and spreading. Implementing proper fire safety precautions and guidelines can help protect your construction site from a fire.

Additional resources

HSG 186 – Fire Safety in Construction – Primary reference point for those responsible for fire safety on all construction projects.

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) – These regulations require measures both to prevent fires happening and to make sure all people on construction sites (including visitors) are protected if they do occur.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) which applies in England and Wales and the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. Fire risk assessments must be completed by a responsible person.

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (as amended in 2015) (DSEAR).  

Fire Safety In Construction document by the HSE (HSG168).

Fire safety in construction training 

To make sure you have the relevant fire safety training, do review the training we have on offer:

Face-to-Face Fire Training Courses
Online Fire Training Courses

Our friendly customer support team is always happy to talk through your fire safety training options. Why not give us a call on 01327 552160, email us at hello@smarthorizons.co.uk, or use the live chat feature on this website to speak to us during office hours. 

Related Links

• Fire Safety In Construction
• Fire Evacuation Dos and Don’ts – What to do if a fire alarm goes off?
• How to prevent fires from spreading in the office
• Take a look at the signs

The post Practical Fire Safety in Construction appeared first on Fire Training Company.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Fire Safety in Construction

It is not uncommon for fires to start on construction and demolition sites or buildings that are being refurbished, the Home Office’s statistics revealed that there were 365 construction site fires in England between 2018/19 despite strict legal requirements and regulations for fire safety being in place. Fire safety in construction is an important topic to understand, especially if you are a site manager or working in this environment.

In this blog we discover why construction sites are prone fire incidents and explain the different hazards, with reference to the Fire Triangle, and offer suggestions as to how to prevent or minimise fires igniting and spreading in relation to these hazards. We also provide useful references to other resources such as fire legislation and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines*. 

This is a two part blog, and in part two we look at the fire safety and emergency procedures that must be formulated at the design stage of the construction project, the role of the appointed ‘responsible person’ for fire safety and prevention and what makes an effective fire risk assessment.

Why is fire safety in construction a concern? 

Fires on building sites are often an accident waiting to happen. But why is this the case? An explanation can be illustrated by the Fire Triangle. It explains how fires are initiated and sustained and provides a useful scientific principle to understand how to minimise fire risk.

The Fire Triangle illustrates that you need three elements – oxygen, fuel and heat to start and fuel a fire but by removing one of the elements then you can prevent or stop a fire.

While oxygen is hard to restrict, there is often several heat/ignition and fuel sources on a construction site, such as the use of hot welding tools and the availability of flammable liquids and materials.

These sources can often be found in close proximity, leading to fires starting and spreading. By understanding these different sources you can put strict controls in place to remove or reduce them, significantly reducing the risk of fire.

In addition, working conditions on a construction site are not static, making it much harder to implement rigorous fire safety measures and evacuation plans. 

In this blog we review the two most common hazards that cause fires; fuel and ignition/heat sources and outline the proactive measures you can implement to control the risk.

Primary heat/ignition sources

Many activities on a construction site involve the generation of heat, the table below shows the most common heat sources which can ignite a fire and the preventative measures a site manager can implement to minimise risk.

Primary fuel sources

If ignitable substances are left too close to fuel sources then this is a major fire risk. Being aware of these potential fuel sources can dramatically reduce the risk of fire. The table below outlines the most common fuel sources found on a construction site and accompanying control measures you can implement to reduce fire risk.

Conclusion

We have discussed why fire safety in construction is important, looked in more detail about the number of ignition and fuel sources which can combine easily to perpetuate a fire and then considered the control methods that can be implemented to minimise and prevent fires breaking out.

In the second part of this blog, we review the fire safety and emergency procedures that must be contained in the initial design plan such as emergency plans, fire warning system and the implementation of fire detection and alarm systems. We also look at the role of the appointed ‘responsible person’ for fire safety and prevention on a construction site and the steps they need to take put together an effective fire risk assessment.

Additional resources*

• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) in England and Wales and the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (FSA)
• The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (HSE) and
• L153 – Managing health and safety in construction (CDM 2015)
• The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) (HSE)
• Fire safety in construction (HSE) – HSG168 Fire Safety in Construction – Guidance for Clients, Designers and Those Managing and Carrying Out Construction Work Involving Significant Fire Risks
• Fire Prevention on Construction Sites – Joint Code of Practice 10th Edition Released

Fire safety in construction training 

For the site manager of a construction site, as well as abiding by the relevant fire regulations, such as appointing a ‘responsible person’, it is also important to ensure that all relevant staff have adequate fire safety training.

We offer online and face to face fire training courses, which are IFE approved and CPD accredited, which help you identify fire risks on your site and also cover topics such as fire extinguishers and fire safety signage. You can find out more information here:

Face-to-Face Fire Training Courses – Find a course in your area with our regional interactive map.
Online Fire Training Courses – Review our portfolio of online fire safety courses.

Our friendly customer support team is always happy to talk through your fire safety training options. Why not give us a call on 01327 552160, email us at hello@smarthorizons.co.uk, or use the live chat feature on this website to speak to us during office hours. 

Related Links

• How to use a fire extinguisher
• How to prevent fires from spreading in the office
• What should fire safety at work cover
• Fire safety training in the workplace
• What to do in an electrical fire
• Fire triangle explained

The post Fire Safety in Construction appeared first on Fire Training Company.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Introduction

Perhaps unsurprisingly, we see a huge amount of Christmas fires in the UK. The food and festivities, drunken uncles and the cheery atmosphere seem to be the perfect kindling for a fire. So in the spirit of raising fire awareness, here are our 12 days of Christmas Fire Safety. We hope that these tips will help you celebrate a safe and enjoyable festive season.

1st Day – Office Smoke Detectors

How does that old yuletide chorus go? ‘On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…a smoke alarm with matching batteries?’ Whilst it might not have quite the same ring (or five) to it as the original, it’s a good lyric to remember. Fire safety in the workplace is no joke.

Before you leave the office on the 24th, ensure that you fulfil your legal requirement to maintain a functional fire detection system. It would be a good idea to change the batteries, too. Arson, one of the most common causes of workplace fire, is most likely when people are out of the office for an extended period.

2nd Day – Office Christmas Decorations

Picture the scene. The office Christmas party is in full swing. Hastily-bought decorations adorn the walls, trays of food cover the desks and the poor Christmas tree is in the wars. Unfortunately, this chaos isn’t what an office is made for. It almost certainly isn’t included in your workplace fire risk assessment. Stacks of office paper + tree + paper decorations = copious potential fuel. 

If there were to be a fire in the office during the party, it would have more room to grow and more fuel to consume. Be aware of how turning your workspace into a party space could make it more dangerous (not to ruin the fun). For example, buy an artificial, flame-retardant Christmas tree, as it’s far safer.

3rd Day – Alcohol Consumption at Christmas

This ties in quite nicely with alcohol consumption over Christmas, which can be dangerous for two reasons. Primarily, it impairs decision-making. On the final day of work before break, an eagerness to turn on the music and Christmas lights could lead to overloaded plug sockets. This is one of the most common causes of workplace electrical fires.

Secondly, remember that brandy, rum and other traditional christmas spirits are extremely flammable. If your office enjoys a traditional christmas lunch, the lighting of the christmas pudding could quickly turn hazardous.

4th Day – Surge Protectors

Christmas is an indoor event. Whilst you may have the whole family over, chances are you’ll stay cramped and cosy inside, rather than out in the cold. Consequently, your energy usage increases massively over Christmas. 

Even before the family comes over, electric decorations, ovens and televisions are often in use for long periods of time during the holiday period. Add in your cousin’s new playstation and a family’s worth of phone chargers and you’ll be soon asking for a lot from your plug extension cables. These can very easily overheat. Spread your appliances throughout the house and invest in some surge protectors, to protect any overloaded plug extensions from electrical spikes.

5th Day – Timers

Christmas decorations can, by their very nature, be problematic. Tangled fairy lights and battered old reindeers can all pose a risk. Even when fully functional, these decorations place huge demand on your electrical system, particularly flickering lights. Add in some faulty, exposed and/or untested wiring and you could have a real issue. 

Ensure that you hook your Christmas decorations up to some timers. When you go to bed and forget to turn your lights off, you could be endangering those in the house and wasting huge amounts of energy. Traditional timers work fine. However, you can also now easily control smart bulbs and timers from your phone. Worry about everything else on our 12 Days of Christmas Fire Safety; with timers, just set them and forget them.

6th Day – Candles

There’s a certain cosiness to Christmas; the inside warmth, the low light and the food all create an intangible festive atmosphere.  In Denmark, they have a word for it – Hygge. One of the biggest contributors to this feeling of cosiness is candlelight. There’s something comforting and calming about a candle’s warmth protecting us from whatever may be waiting outside in the cold.

However, in London alone, there were 200 fires caused by candlelight in 2020. If you do light candles over Christmas, mount them safely in stable candlesticks, which are difficult to knock over. Furthermore, you should only keep them lit in rooms you’re using, so they can be constantly monitored.

7th Day – Domestic Smoke Alarms

We’ve already mentioned how you absolutely must keep a well-functioning fire detection system in your workplace. However, smoke detectors are also absolutely necessary in the home, too, especially (but not exclusively) at Christmas.

The chaos of a Christmas kitchen is near-unrivalled. Potatoes are roasting, the turkey is waiting and someone is giving far too much attention to the bread sauce. When the smoke alarm inevitably goes off, it’s enough to draw a collective groan from the whole family. However, do not take the batteries out of the alarm. In fact, it’s good practice to replace your batteries around Christmas every year, as it’s often the most demanding time for a smoke alarm. Additionally, smoke alarms often ring more when their batteries are running out, so it’ll likely save you some Christmas earache.

8th Day – Fire Blankets

Speaking of which, perhaps it would be wise to invest in a fire blanket. You’re often likely to see them in commercial kitchens, mounted on a wall within easy access. In a restaurant kitchen, there’s obviously a good reason for this; the sheer amount of cooking appliances working at high heat in a high-pressure environment means that fire is more likely. Yet for some reason, we often don’t consider having a fire blanket in our own kitchen. 

Whilst it may look unseemly (though it doesn’t have to be wall-mounted), it actually makes a lot of sense, particularly at Christmas. Domestic kitchens aren’t as robust or well-designed as a commercial kitchen. So, when you’re cooking for 12 at Christmas, with every gadget in use and your attention divided, you’re really testing the limits of your appliances and greatly increasing the chance of fire. Having a fire blanket on hand could help you easily tackle any small fire, before it gets out of hand.

9th Day – Outdoor Decorations

We often keep outdoor decorations for years; it really starts to feel like Christmas when the glowing Santa gets put up above the kitchen window. 

However, we often don’t have the best storage conditions. Damp, cold garages might see mice chewing through wires or water-damaged bulbs and when they’re up outside, rain and snow can easily penetrate older, more fragile Christmas lights. This could cause power failures, electric shocks and fires.

To avoid this, you should use decorations designed for the outdoors  and cover their electrical supplies with plastic sheeting. Whilst you don’t have to get your lights PAT-tested, running over them with an electrician’s multimeter may also be a good idea. However, a simple visual check for frayed wires and good maintenance practices should be more than enough to keep your lighting safe.

10th Day – Looking after the vulnerable

Tenth in our 12 Days of Christmas Fire Safety is, in the festive spirit, looking after others. The elderly, people with disabilities or mobility issues may need help to ensure their safety. Moreover, they may not have the energy or ability to perform maintenance themselves. In some areas of the UK, you can register for a free home fire safety check; the majority of UK fire services provide free smoke alarms and fitting services to vulnerable people.

You can help by ensuring that safety ramps are fitted where necessary and in good repair, smoke detectors are tested if and strobe fire alarms considered if the person is hearing-impaired. These small favours can keep vulnerable people safe over the holiday season.

11th Day – Fireworks

As we near the end of the Christmas season, many are doubtless looking forward to the year ahead. New Year’s celebrations are just as good a reason as Christmas to throw a party and go all out. Whether you love them or hate them, that means the fireworks are coming out.

We often attend New Year’s Eve fireworks displays, perhaps foolishly, in our back gardens rather than at organised events. If you are having a firework display, keep safe by following the Firework Code, use certified fireworks, read instructions and plan everything thoroughly.

12th Day – Stay Vigilant

For the final day of Christmas, we’ll keep it short and thematic. Stay vigilant! Understanding what causes fire is vital to preventing it. Constantly monitor your use of electricity, heating, cooking appliances and open flames. Whilst we’ve tried to keep our 12 Days of Christmas Fire Safety light and enjoyable, it’s important to understand that fire safety is a very serious matter. Stay aware and keep your friends and family safe and you’ll be certain to have a great festive season.

Oh, and Merry Christmas!

Related Links

• Fire Safety and Office Christmas Decorations
• The Importance of Smoke Detectors
• What to Do in an Electrical Fire

The post 12 Days of Christmas Fire Safety appeared first on Fire Training Company.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Fire Safety Doors

It is a requirement under the Regulatory Report (Fire Safety Order) 2005, that fire doors are regularly inspected, tested and maintained as determined by the building’s fire risk assessment. But did you know that fire safety door breaches are one of the most common fines implemented under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?

A national campaign called the Fire Door Safety Week raises awareness of the role of fire doors in buildings. It urges property and owners to check their fire doors are installed, maintained and inspected, and meet the correct specifications.

To show our support for Fire Door Safety Week, we have written an article about the different aspects of fire safety doors. It covers :

• What is a fire safety door?
• The difference between a fire safety door and a standard door.
• Why are fire safety doors important?
• What types of buildings should be fitted with fire doors?
• What are the most common fire door breaches?
• More information and resources. 

What is a fire safety door?

A fire safety door is a sealed door, made of timber, that is critical in stopping the spread of fire, heat and smoke, forming a barrier.

The difference between a fire door and a standard door?

Fire safety doors often look like normal doors. They are still easy to open ensuring people move freely, but are study in structure, due to their specially designed door frames, door leaf, construction, glazing and seals. They must have a level of fire resistance that provides at least 30 minutes of protection. The most typical FD (fire door) ratings are shown in the infographic:  

All fire doors should be clearly marked with one of the ratings above and may have signs on them saying ‘Fire Door’ or ‘Keep Closed’.

Why are fire doors important?

Fire safety doors are designed to give occupants of a building more time to evacuate and delay the spreading of the fire by compartmentalising different sections of the building. They can provide a high level of protection if there are several doors along a route.

In summary, fire safety doors are important because they:

• assist people that cannot escape easily, eg elderly, children or people with health conditions or impairments
• make sure there is a clear evacuation route
• provides a path for the emergency services to get into and exit a building
• prevent fire and smoke spreading quickly.

What sort of buildings have fire doors? 

Fire safety doors are needed in commercial, public, multiple-occupancy buildings and some domestic settings. Such as:

• Private rented housing
• council and social housing
• care homes and sheltered housing
• offices, shops and business units
• schools, universities and colleges
• hotels and guest houses
• hospitals and health centres
• public buildings.

What are the most common fire door breaches?

Any slight alteration to the fire safety door or its surroundings can affect its performance in a fire. Here are some common issues concerning fire safety doors:

• Fire safety that are wedged open.
• Doors that are installed but are not certified. The BWF Fire Door Alliance in their Be Certain, Be Certified campaign provide more information about what third party certification is.
• Damaged or neglected doors such as having visible gaps in the door frame.
• Non-fire doors being installed where fire safety doors should be.

Fire safety doors are the first line of defence for vulnerable people and should be regularly checked to ensure they function correctly in the event of a fire. In this article we have explained how fire safety doors play a critical role in protecting people from the spread of fire and are an essential component of your fire safety strategy. 

For a summary of all our online and face to face fire safety courses you can visit our All Fire Training Course page.

Our friendly customer support team is always happy to talk through your training options. Why not give us a call on 01327 552136, email us at hello@smarthorizons.co.uk, or use the live chat feature on this website to speak to us during office hours.

Related Links

• Fire safety in the work place – a guide
• How to prevent fires from spreading in the office
• What should fire safety at work cover
• Fire safety checklist for business
• Starting your own business – what you need to know about fire safety
• Fire safety training in the workplace

The post Fire Safety Doors appeared first on Fire Training Company.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

How many fire marshals/wardens do I need in my workplace?

It is a legal and safety requirement for all workplaces to appoint trained fire marshals/wardens to keep your employees and customers safe. Allocated to these people are important duties, which include understanding the fire risks and managing an evacuation if a fire happens. They also play an important part in your fire safety plan.

We are often asked, as a fire safety training company, ‘How many fire marshals/wardens do I need?’. In this article we will offer you a detailed response to that question.

Fire risk assessment

The number of fire wardens/marshals you need depends on many factors relating to the size and nature of your business. This includes whether your premises are at low, medium or high risk.

You will not have to calculate this number yourself, carried out by a specialist, you should refer to your fire risk assessment. This assessment report will outline the fire risks in your workplace premises, recommend how to address them, and include more detail such as the number of fire marshals/wardens you need.

Factors to consider

The number of fire marshals that are needed and referenced in your fire risk assessment varies depending on a variety of different considerations:  

• The size of the premises – a larger building will take longer to ‘sweep’
• Number of floors in the building 
• Number of employees working on the premises at one time 
• Who will be on the premises  
• Nature of work 
• Location 
• Layout of building 

You also need to ensure that you have cover for absence and holidays and that you have at least one fire marshal/warden on duty during your working hours. 

General guidance

As a general rule of thumb, you need enough fire wardens to lead everyone out and search the premise for any people that are not accounted for.  Generally, a workplace fire risk assessment would allocate the following ratios of fire marshals/wardens to employees at your business:

As stated, you need to refer to your fire risk assessment documentation for the actual number you need, based on your specific fire risk level.

Want more information about our fire safety training? 

Our IFE approved & CPD accredited online Fire Marshal/Warden Course make sure you are compliant with the current fire legislation. It covers your responsibilities, the correct fire extinguishers to use and fire prevention and evacuation.   

We also offer face to face Fire Marshal/Warden Courses across the UK. Our courses are tailored to your workplace, and our experienced ex-fire service trainers give you the opportunity to use a fire extinguisher. You can get more information here:

Face-to-Face Fire Training Courses – Find a course in your area with our regional interactive map.
Online Fire Training Courses – Review our portfolio of online fire safety courses.

Our friendly customer support team is always happy to talk through your fire safety training options. Why not give us a call on 01327 552160, email us at hello@smarthorizons.co.uk, or use the live chat feature on this website to speak to us during office hours. 

Related Links

• Fire safety in the work place – a guide
• How to prevent fires from spreading in the office
• What should fire safety at work cover
• Fire safety checklist for business
• Starting your own business – what you need to know about fire safety
• Fire safety training in the workplace

The post How Many Fire Marshals/Wardens do I Need? appeared first on Fire Training Company.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Introduction

When it comes to fire safety, the general recommendation is to escape from a fire, rather than try to tackle it. Instead, in most cases, you should leave the firefighting to fire service professionals. For those of us who have taken fire training, however, we may recognise the advantage of extinguishing a blaze before it gets out of control. To do so, one must know how to use a fire extinguisher.

There is a wide range of different classes of fire, each of which must be tackled with the most appropriate fire extinguisher and/or equipment. In this article, we’ll explore the PASS Method, learning step-by-step use of a fire extinguisher, as well as which type of extinguisher is most suitable for each type of fire.

What does PASS stand for?

Fire professionals realised long ago that, during an emergency, remembering a long list of instructions off the top of one’s head would only increase panic. To help, they created the ‘PASS’ acronym, which stands for the following 4 steps:

1. Pull – pull the safety pin/tag out of the extinguisher, priming it for use.
2. Aim – always aim at the base of the fire. To break the fire triangle, you need to aim at the source of the fire where the fuel is, not at the flames.
3. Squeeze – squeeze the trigger slowly, holding steadily as the extinguisher expels its chemicals.
4. Sweep – sweep the extinguisher back and forth over the base of the flames until the fire is out.

Which fire extinguisher should you use?

Using the correct extinguisher to combat a fire is key, as each class of fire has different properties and must be responded to differently. Accordingly, there should be a certain degree of advanced planning in your fire response. For example, in the workplace, a proper fire risk assessment is necessary to determine what variety of fire is most likely to break out.

We recommend reading our articles above, so that you can understand why each fire occurs and why you should tackle them in a certain way. Below, however, is a more brief summary of the types of fire and the extinguishers you might use to tackle them:

CLASS A – Solid Materials

CLASS B – Flammable Liquids

CLASS C – Flammable Gas

CLASS D – Flammable Metals

ELECTRICAL

CLASS F – Cooking Fats & Oils

Here are a few things to consider about the most common fire extinguishers:

Powder Fire Extinguishers

Upon reading this table, you might wonder why powder extinguishers aren’t stocked universally, as they seem to be a catch-all solution. Well, the powder used in these extinguishers is very fine and can cause visibility issues and breathing problems. Additionally, once a fire is extinguished with powder, the mess created is far harder to manage than water or CO2, which are far more common.

Water Fire Extinguishers

Note, some of the possible dangers posed by water-based extinguishers. With regards to use, water-based extinguishers will eject water forcefully, at high pressure, so there’s no need to stand directly over or near the fire, as you could get some splashback.

When combatting electrical fire, you should never use a water-based extinguisher, as water is a powerful conductor. Similarly, you should never use water-based extinguishers on hot oil/gas fires, as they could cause dispersion of the fire and explosions.

CO2 Fire Extinguishers

In high quantities, carbon dioxide can become dangerous. A sudden increase in CO2 in a confined space can cause fainting, disorientation and even death. When using a CO2 fire extinguisher, then, do so in an open space, from which people can readily escape. Note also that the cone from which the CO2 fires will become very cold and can cause injury.

Flight over fight?

Fire extinguishers need to be handled properly. Incorrect usage of an extinguisher could not only jeopardise your chances of handling a fire but, in fact, make it worse. Face-to-face fire extinguisher training can help prevent this, teaching you and your staff the proper practices.

Without doubt, the best option is not to use them and clear the building. Unless you have no choice, or it is totally safe to do so, firefighting is best left to the professionals. The best policy when facing a fire is ‘get out and stay out’.

Related Links

• What are the different classes of fire?
• What should fire safety training at work cover?
• Fire Triangle Explained: Everything to Know!
• Face-to-Face Fire Training Courses
• Online Fire Training Courses

The post How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: The PASS Method appeared first on Fire Training Company.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Introduction

Any fire can present a serious threat to human life, whether started by firewood, candle or propane. To make matters worse, there are many different types of fire, with each requiring different knowledge and actions to tackle it.

In this article, we’ll explore what the 6 classes of fire are and how, if needed, you should confront them.

What causes fire?

Before understanding these classes, however, we should explore the 3 common components of all fires. Such components are summed up conceptually as the fire triangle; in brief, they are:

• Heat
• Fuel
• Oxygen

By removing just one of these components, one can ‘break’ the fire triangle and put out the fire. Now, we can explore how we might apply this idea to each class of fire; whilst it may sound fairly simple, different types of fire present different challenges.

The Classes of Fire

So, what are the 6 classes of fire? Let’s go through them, giving a few examples of each, and how we can tackle them:

Class A Fires – Solids

We refer to fires involving solid materials as ‘Class A’ fires. This range of solid materials is wide; in the office, it could refer to stacks of copier paper and cardboard storage boxes. At home, it could be anything from kindling for a bonfire to your curtains and certain insulation materials within your walls. This is probably the most common type of fire in homes and the typical workplace, as these materials are widespread.

To prevent Class A fires, you need a certain degree of good planning. Is it wise to keep cardboard box waste near to a gas hob, or candles near your wooden bookshelf? In the office, think about storing paper away from electrical outlets in a cold, dark storage cupboard. This kind of foresight can drastically reduce the likelihood of fires and, particularly in the office, is both a vital and legally-required element of a workplace fire risk assessment.

In the event that you have to tackle a Class A fire, you should use a water extinguisher. Note that, when using a water extinguisher, the water will spray out forcefully, so there’s no need to stand over the fire and potentially disperse flaming materials.

Instead, spray from a distance and never on electrical equipment. We’ll explore a little bit later how to extinguish electrical fires but this highlights the necessary fire assessment foresight. Place solid materials away from electrical outlets and you can be safe in the knowledge that, were those materials ever to alight, you could safely use a water extinguisher.

You can also use foam and dry powder extinguishers on fires involving solid materials; if your foam extinguisher is tested and rated as a non-conductor, you can also use it on electrical fires. Note that, due to possible inhalation of the powder, dry powder extinguishers should not be used indoors.

Class B Fires – Liquids

A Class ‘B’ fire refers to a fire involving some sort of flammable liquid. One could be fooled into thinking that Class B fires aren’t likely or even possible in the home or typical workplace.  The term ‘flammable liquids’ seems to refer to manufacturing chemicals and fuels we don’t regularly handle. However, they are more common than you think.

Even in a typical office setting, there are a host of potentially dangerous flammable liquids, such as wet paint and printer ink. At home, there is a similar range of possibly hazardous materials, from the deodorants in your bathroom to the cleaning materials under your sink.

Whilst we hope you won’t, if you ever have to tackle a Class B fire, you can use a foam, CO2 or dry powder extinguisher (the latter of which, again, should only be used outside). Foam is probably your best option here, as it helps to prevent re-ignition; flammable liquids both more flammable and powerful than solid materials, so their propensity to re-ignite is higher.

Note that CO2 can be advantageous here; it’s not a conductor, so were your flammable liquids to alight near electronics, it would be safe to use. As mentioned above, foam can be a non-conductor if ‘dielectrically tested’, but this isn’t always the case.

Class C Fires – Gases

Similarly to flammable liquids, we might think that flammable gases are a problem for industrial producers of LPG and hydrogen, and definitely not the typical workplace or home. This is true to some extent; they’re definitely rarer than flammable liquids and the solid materials which cause the majority of office fires.

That doesn’t mean Class C fires can’t happen in the normal domestic or workplace setting, however. Gas hobs are still common in households and, though safer than ever, they still emit highly-flammable fuel and are dangerous if misused or improperly-fitted. If you have a gas barbecue in the garden, it’s likely you use a propane canister, which could present a similar hazard.

The best way to fight a gas fire is to cut it off at the source. The gas will disperse quickly and thus hard to control, unlike solid material which will most likely at least stay in one place. Knowing how to quickly shut off any gas supply is vital, then. Until this point, you can fight Class C fires to some extent with a dry powder extinguisher. However, know that gas is the most flammable and explosive type of fire, so your efforts to fight could be both extremely dangerous and in vain.

Class D Fires – Metals

It is safer to assume that a metal fire won’t break out in your home or typical workplace. Class D fires occur mostly in places where metallurgists, laboratory technicians and other specialists work with combustible metals. Magnesium, aluminium and the highly-reactive sodium are the most common culprits, particularly when ground into fine shavings which can spread fire easily.

When tackling a Class D fire, one should use a specialist powder extinguisher. These extinguishers are specifically designed for metal fires and aren’t actually effective against other types. This specialist powder chokes the fire of oxygen, reduces its heat and prevents these fine metal shavings from floating through the air to spread the flames.

Electrical Fires

Strictly speaking, we don’t refer to an electrical fire as Class E, as electricity is a form of ignition. Electricity needs a fuel, like those mentioned above, in order to start a blaze. However, we denote electrical fires as a separate category as, due to its conductive properties, we have to treat it differently.

For example, if an overloaded plug socket overheats from an electrical surge and ignites a stack of copier paper nearby, it’s vital that we don’t use a water-based extinguisher as with a normal Class A fire. Such an extinguisher is conductive and could both spread the fire and electrocute someone.

Accordingly, for an electrical fire we must use a CO2 extinguisher or a dielectrically-tested foam extinguisher, for their non-conductive properties.

Class F Fire – Cooking Fats and Oils

Class F fires involving cooking fats and oils are technically a subcategory of flammable liquid fires. However, such fires require extremely high temperatures to ignite; this high flashpoint  dictates that we treat such fires differently to a regular Class B flammable liquid.

When fighting a Class F fire, you must use a wet chemical extinguisher. If you used water to try to put out the fire or a water-based extinguisher, You would most likely create an explosion, further dispersing the flames.

A wet chemical extinguisher, meanwhile, is specifically designed for cooking fat and oil fires, as it contains potassium salts which both cools the fire and reduces its oxygen content. This is the safest and most effective way to extinguish a Class F fire.

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this article, you feel a little more knowledgeable about the classes of fire, the action to take against each type and the reasons behind those actions. We hope you never have to fight a fire but, if that day comes, you should be as prepared as possible.

To learn more about the classes of fire and how to use fire extinguishers, explore our online fire safety courses today.

Related Links

• Would You Know Which Fire Extinguisher To Use In An Emergency?
• Fire Safety in the Workplace: A Guide
• Fire Extinguisher Training
• What should fire safety training at work cover?

The post What are the Different Classes of Fire? appeared first on Fire Training Company.

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Introduction

Whether you work in a home for people with disabilities, the elderly, those who need hospice care or anyone else for that matter, fire safety in care homes is a vital and often quite intimidating issue. Due to their size and the needs of the people who live in them, fire safety regulations for residential care homes are detailed and demanding.

Reading through all the legislation and understanding your legal requirements can be a time-consuming, daunting task. To help, we’ve summarised everything you need to know in a concise guide.

What causes fires in care homes?

Before we look at how we should approach fire safety in care homes, we should figure out exactly what causes fire in these places. On average, there are fires in 388 UK care homes every year.

According to the London Fire Brigade, 41% of those care home fires are caused by cookers and the act of cooking, 21% by kitchen appliances and 13% by smoking. It’s probably to be expected that kitchen-related incidents form 62% of total fire incidents. Residential care homes care and cater for tens to hundreds of people. Cooking and delivering a high number of meals puts strain on both the kitchen and the staff working inside them.

Unclean extractor fans and ventilation systems are the leading cause of fire in commercial kitchens in the UK. It’s easy to imagine how, pressed for time and overworked, a kitchen staff member may neglect an extraction fan. After all, it’s not the most obvious fire hazard in kitchens with gas-burner stoves and industrial ovens.

If you’re a keen mathematician, you may notice that the London Fire Brigade haven’t accounted for 15% of care home fires in their statistics. Before we move into how to tackle fire safety in residence homes then, here’s a couple of alternative, less common causes to consider, which might make up that 15%:

Electricals

As with most commercial buildings, heavy and load-intensive use of electricity could become a problem in a care home. Perhaps you have a number of recreation rooms with radios and televisions dotted about for residents. Kitchen appliances may be poorly-wired, improperly-inspected and/or be old.

The residents in the home may not be particularly electrically-minded and might overload plug sockets with too many devices. All of these possibilities could be worsened if yours is an old building, with dated and damaged wiring.

Lack of de-escalation

It could be that one of the biggest issues residents face is not knowing how to deal with a fire or not getting the proper help from staff. Residents may not have the mental wellbeing to recognise that a fire has started or what dangers it may pose.

Arson

Unfortunate as it is, it could be the case that a resident who is not very well may intentionally start a fire in their room or in a communal setting.

What are the possible consequences of fire in a residential home?

The human cost

Thankfully, fire casualty rates in UK care homes aren’t too high. They’re certainly not the lowest, often double the rate of food & drink and entertainment venues, but they’re much lower than other places of mass-residence, like hospitals and prisons. That said, if a care home doesn’t meet the necessary fire safety requirements, the consequences could be massive.

Care homes may host the same number of occupants as a school, depending on their size, with those residents also staying in the building(s) for more than double the time of students. Fires are arguably more dangerous at night, with sleeping residents more vulnerable to unwitting smoke inhalation. Furthermore, mentally and/or physically vulnerable residents may be slower to react to a fire and remove themselves from the situation.

Such is the possible casualty rate in a care home that UK fire services, as policy, intend to respond more quickly to residential home fires.

The financial cost

From a purely business perspective these fires can be extremely costly. Fines alone have been as big as £380,000 in the UK for care home fires. This is on course on top of any repair costs, which could stretch into the millions, depending on the size of the home and the extent of the damage.

Consider too the effect on any future earnings. People entrust care homes with the protection of their close family members. It’s unlikely that a home reopening after a fire would have a long list of residents waiting to register for a room.

What is the legislation regarding fire safety in care homes?

There are two central pieces of legislation covering a care home owner’s fire safety responsibility:

The Care Home Regulations Act (2001)

Amongst some other important subjects, a section of this Act tells of how to approach fire safety specifically within a care home. This responsibility for fire safety falls on the owner or manager of the property. Some key takeaways from the regulations are:

• Seek advice from the local fire authorities regarding your home’s approach to fire safety
• Ensure your staff have received some formal fire safety training, including how to deal with an actual fire incident
• Designate a fire warden(s) for the premises
• Reduce the possibility of a fire by combating potential fire hazards
• Create a fire detection system
• Regularly practice fire drills with both staff and residents and document the process

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005

The majority of the requirements for fire safety in non-domestic premises is oriented around the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The first action specified in the document is declaring a Responsible Person. This person will be in charge of and responsible for all fire safety procedures onsite and should specifically be in the hands of someone with ‘control of the premises’. In care homes, this would typically be:

• Employers
• Facilities Managers
• Owners
• Landlords
• Third-Party Risk Assessors

It’s important to realise that there can be more than one Responsible Person. If, by the legislative definition, there are a number of people with ‘control over the premises’, they must work collaboratively in the interests of fire safety.

The Responsible Person has a number of specific duties:

• Delivering a Fire Risk Assessment
• Communicating the findings of this assessment to staff
• Maintaining fire safety measures 
• Providing formal fire safety training to all staff 
• Planning emergency procedures

Fire risk assessment in residential care premises

Though it’s not legally-binding legislation, the government has released a comprehensive guide on fulfilling your legal duty for fire risk assessment in care premises. It’s intended for all buildings in which residents would require carer assistance to be safe in the event of a fire.

Who enforces this legislation?

Fire safety enforcement is under the jurisdiction of local fire and rescue authorities. The local fire service is entitled, at their discretion, to inspect care residences and you are obliged to allow that inspection.

If a premises fails inspection, there is a progressive scale of consequence: 

• The local authority could issue alteration notices, which demands immediate change to fire safety matters onsite.
• Enforcement and prohibition notices could follow, leading to site closure, temporarily or permanently.
• If such notices aren’t adhered to, unlimited fines and prison sentences can follow.

Abiding by the legislation

As mentioned earlier, your first task, prior to filling out a fire assessment, is to declare a so-called ‘Responsible Person(s)’. Most often, in the case of a care home, this person will be an owner, manager or facilities manager (or all 3). All people involved with management of the property must have created a consensus on who is the Responsible Person (s).

Fire Risk Assessment

Upon appointment, this Responsible Person(s) must undertake a fire risk assessment, with the following procedures:

1. Identify all possible fire hazards.
2. Identify people on the premises who may be at risk.
3. Reduce and/or remove those risks. 
4. Record your findings, prepare your emergency procedures accordingly and provide fire safety training.
5. Review and update this assessment regularly.

If the Responsible Person(s) doesn’t have the required competency for a fire risk assessment, you can hire a third-party risk assessor. Of course, this is expensive, as such assessors assume a certain level of risk themselves.

Common Risk Areas

Proper fire safety in care homes should be built on a proper fire risk assessment. When completing such an assessment, it’s important that you tailor it to your workplace. There’s no point copy-and-pasting the assessment criteria of an elderly residence of 40 beds onto a vulnerable people residence of 400.

That said, there are some fairly obvious, common risk areas to assess and improve within most care homes.

Evacuation procedures and assistance

People who live in care homes most likely need assistance in evacuation. Not only do they not have a legal obligation for it, people in care likely do not have the facilities to fully abide by a predetermined evacuation procedure. Accordingly, you must create an evacuation system which accounts for this.

Your carers must be properly prepared and know exactly which sections of the home they’re responsible for. They must know how to deal with a certain number of vulnerable people during a crisis, possibly needing to enter their rooms and wake them, taking into account their individual needs.

Helping those with disabilities

To that end, some residents will likely be people with disabilities. Such disabilities could include psychiatric disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, wheelchair-use, deafness and blindness. Again, you must adapt to the needs of those in your care home.

For example, if you look after the elderly or infirm, consider using an evacuation chair to help them safely down flights of stairs. In addition, you cannot apply a one-size-fits-all approach. Imagine you have a resident who is hard-of-hearing and subsequently needs a strobe alarm to know when a fire occurs. Perhaps, on the same floor, there’s also a photosensitive-epileptic resident, who may have a seizure triggered by such a fire detection system.

These bespoke, complex arrangements for evacuation are key to planning for a fire. They might include planning room designations for certain residents far in advance.

Fire exit routes

As aforementioned, your staff must understand the precise evacuation system in place in the event of a fire. This includes fire escape routes.

Such routes must be predefined and kept unhindered. They must also be well thought-through. If you have a number of residents with low or zero mobility, create the easiest possible route for a carer to evacuate them. Cleared corridors on the ground floor, for example, would help carers to escort residents in wheelchairs off of the premises.

Training your staff

You have a legal requirement to provide your staff with formal fire safety training. One such form of training is one of our courses. They’re comprehensive, clear and available in both in-person and online formats. What’s more, our Learning Management System (LMS) keeps a central record of completed, verifiable certificates for your staff, as acceptable evidence for the local authorities.

Day-to-day fire safety in care homes

Below is a handful of good habits to take into consideration. You should include these in a regular fire safety routine:

• Maintain equipment – If you do have an assortment of fire safety equipment customised for your residents, take good care of it; it’s often expensive! Have your alarms tested and ensure any fire extinguishers are fully charged.

• Periodical fire drills – Undertake regular fire drills with your staff and residents. Test out your escape routes and ensure your staff get practice with the equipment they might use in a real-world scenario.

• Keep fire doors closed! – This is fairly self-explanatory. You should never proper open fire doors; they’re designed to give you time to escape in the event of a blaze.

• Take care of the hazardous areas – We’ve already looked at how the kitchen is the most common place a fire might start in a care home. If it’s dirty and uncared for, ensure your staff raise their standards. If there’s not enough staff compared to the workload, hire more. Similarly, enlist your carers’ help with monitoring your residents’ electricity use and smoking habits. Perhaps you could buy surge protectors for the recreation room, for example, and designate smoking areas for residents and staff who need a cigarette break.

Conclusion

Fire safety in care homes is a very real concern but it shouldn’t intimidate you. There’s regulation in place so that you and your residents stay safe. For more information, take a verifiable training course today.

Related Links

• Fire Safety Training in Care Homes
• Fire Triangle Explained
• Fire Safety in the Workplace: A Guide

The post Fire Safety in Care Homes: A Guide appeared first on Fire Training Company.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Introduction

Following the requirements for fire safety in the workplace can be confusing and intimidating. In the UK, all non-domestic premises are broadly covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In this document we summarise some of the common causes of workplace fires as well as the consequences, then go on to outline who is responsible for workplace fire safety and offer some tips on how to implement fire safety best practices in your non-domestic premises.

Common causes of fire in the workplace

To understand the reasons behind the legislation, let’s first explore why office fires start. Here’s some of the most common causes:

Faulty wiring and electrical issues

Probably the most common cause of office fires, faulty, old and/or misused electricals often the catalyst.

In the typical UK office, for example,  it’s not uncommon to see an overloaded plug socket with extensions and no proper surge protection. People are busy throughout the work day and lack the constant awareness necessary for proper fire safety and may not realise the danger they are putting themselves and others in. In these cases, it’s also evident that staff may lack proper fire safety training. 

We don’t consider the office a dangerous place, as it shouldn’t be. If an office is functioning without incident, we think that it will continue to do so and don’t undertake periodic structural reviews. Many office buildings, consequently, suffer from unseen ageing and degradation, making an evaluation of electrical wiring and installations a ‘crucial safety matter’. 

Both overloaded plug sockets and old, faulty wiring suffer the same issue; they heat up and are unable to conduct electricity properly. This heat is one of the components of the fire triangle, vital to igniting a fire.

Cooking equipment and small appliances

Kettles, microwaves and other small kitchen appliances are electrical items which allegedly causes 29% of workplace fires.

Cooking equipment and other workplace appliances cause so many incidents for two main reasons, both of which stem from neglect. The first is outright misuse, stemming from a lack of time and care for work property. Many office kitchens are just that; small spaces with improper ventilation and inadequate space for kitchen use. Consequently, fridges and microwaves have little room to vent, toasters aren’t cleaned and kettles are overworked (particularly in the UK). 

Moreover, these appliances are often old and untested. When you join a new workplace, you don’t question how old the kettle is – no-one does! As a result, many workspaces have a range of small appliances which aren’t PAT-tested and could have been there for years.

Arson

Unfortunately, arson is still a threat to fire safety in the workplace. As recently as 2019/20, 13% of all office fires were deliberate. 

Often these fires are started by a disgruntled former employee or by the business owner themselves in an attempt to make a fraudulent insurance claim. 

Flammable Materials

It’s important to note that you don’t have to stock rocket fuel onsite for your workplace to be full of combustible materials. Offices have a number of common flammable materials easily at hand, including stacks of paper, wooden desks and cardboard boxes. One can easily imagine how an overloaded plug socket next to a pile of printer paper could spell disaster.

Furthermore, combustible materials left accessible near the premises or in unlocked waste bins can be easy fuel for arsonists. 

What are the consequences of workplace fires?

The human cost

Fortunately, the casualty rate for office fires is low. Many companies take their responsibilities seriously by complying wholeheartedly with UK office safety laws. As a result, the fire signage, equipment and evacuation procedures which they invest in keep their staff and premises safe. 

Of course, this is not always the case and in 2019/20, there were still 16 casualties in the UK from workplace fires. Whilst this may seem low, no-one should expect to get injured in a fire incident at work; the office should be a place of calm and safety.

The financial cost

The financial cost of a workplace fires is huge. In 2004 alone, the overall cost of UK office fires to the British economy was estimated at £2.5 billion. 

Primarily, there can be high reconstruction costs; the office building would likely have suffered structural damage and major assets could have been lost. Moreover, lost productivity can have a major impact on a business, with some offices out of commission for months or even permanently. Even if employees can work remotely, the psychological impact of the fire can hinder their work rate and increase their reluctance to return to work.

What’s more, fines for negligence can cause bankruptcy. Business owners in the UK have paid anywhere from £20,000 to £400,000 in fines, as New Look found out in 2007. The judge found the company guilty on the basis of damage to other high street stores, blockage of exit routes and, most importantly, a significant lack of staff training in fire safety.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005

Following the UK’s legislation on non-domestic fire safety consists of following two core steps.

Your team must first designate the Responsible Person. This refers to anyone with some ‘control of the premises’ and often includes:

• Employers
• Business/Facility Managers
• Occupants
• Business Owners
• Professional Risk Assessor

There can be more than one Responsible Person. If there are a number of people with control over the premises, fire safety becomes a team effort. Once this person(s) is appointed, they have a number of key tasks to follow:

• Complete a Fire Risk Assessment
• Communicate the risks found
• Create a set of fire safety measures and implement them
• Provide formal fire safety training to all staff members, thus fulfilling your legal obligation
• Plan emergency evacuation procedures

Who enforces this legislation?

The local fire authority, typically fire services personnel, is responsible for enforcing fire safety in the workplace. 

All UK workplaces must permit inspection from these authorities at any time. Consequences of negligence found in this inspection can be:

• Alterations, enforcement and prohibition notices. These letters from the enforcing authority require immediate change at one end of the spectrum and can close the workplace at the other.
• Fines and imprisonment. The authorities can issue unlimited fines and, should the case go to criminal court, can send you to prison for up to 2 years.

Implementing the Legislation

The role of the Responsible Person is loosely defined as someone with ‘control over the premises’. If there are multiple people with such control, they must meet and work as a team to decide who the Responsible Person(s) is. 

If your premises is one of a group under the same business, then your organisation should designate a Responsible Person at each level. There should be a Responsible Person at board, area and premises level.

Fire Risk Assessment

Whomever the responsible person or people may be, they must first lead a fire risk assessment:

1. Identify fire hazards.
2. Understand who is at risk on the premises.
3. Reduce risks and remove them where possible.
4. Keep thorough records, prepare your evacuation procedures and offer formal fire safety training to all staff.
5. Review this assessment periodically.

Note that a ‘competent person’ should be the one to complete your assessment. This is typically the Responsible Person and they must have a thorough knowledge of the fire safety procedures required specifically by your office.

Areas to think about

All offices are different. An accountant’s office could be beneath a flat or in a skyscraper; you could have an office of 5 or 500. As a result, each risk assessment needs to be tailored to the individual business. Below, however, there are a few areas to think about when undertaking your fire risk assessment.

Consider the ‘unlikely’

Don’t be caught off-guard by the apparent safety of your workplace. What possible sources of fuel could you have missed? There are a host of flammable materials in the office: wooden furniture, stationery, shredded paper, cleaning products, solvents and paints are just a few. Think of the everyday possibilities.

Think about those most at risk

How can you help cater for your employees with disabilities? There is a whole host of equipment designed to cater for people with disabilities during fire, including evacuation chairs and strobe or vibration smoke alarms. 

Technically temporary workers and customers or clients on your premises may also be at higher risk. You can’t guarantee that they’ve received formal fire safety training so how can you help them in the event of a fire? Do you have fire notices detailing required actions? You should train your employees adequately so that, if the time comes, they could help anyone without the necessary knowledge to escape the building.

Install your legally-mandated fire warning system

In offices with more than one floor, you must have a sophisticated fire detection system in place. Whilst this doesn’t have to be a smoke alarm system, that’s the best option. Not only does it more than fulfil your legal requirement, it creates a clear communication system between all office departments in the event of fire. 

Keep the correct fire equipment

Stocking the correct fire extinguisher and other fire fighting miscellany listed in your fire risk assessment is key. If your assessment correctly predicts an electrical fire, you must have a CO2 extinguisher to hand. Using a water-based fire extinguisher, in this case, can actually make the situation far worse. 

Understand the schedule of your office

Though unlikely, offices can be multi-use; in the night-time, community groups or other businesses may utilise your space. Would these alternate occupants know how to follow your fire procedures or do you need to contact and educate them? Understanding exactly who uses the office is vital here, so organise yourself well and keep good records.

Day-to-Day Fire Safety in the Workplace

Finally, here’s a handful of simple ways you can manage office fire safety on a daily basis:

• Have regular office fire drills. Ensure that everyone knows their assembly points and fire evacuation procedures. Make everyone aware of a pre-scheduled drill and record the outcome.

• Don’t block fire safety routes and fire doors. Especially on a hot day, keep fire doors closed. Keep desks, other furniture, stock and rubbish out of the way of escape routes.

• Stick to your fire risk assessment. If you list certain equipment, stock and maintain it. If you have a maximum occupancy, ensure that you limit entrants to the building. Remember why you made the assessment!

Conclusion

Fire Safety in the Workplace doesn’t have to be complicated and, provided you stay on top of it, nor should it be intimidating. Stay organised and follow the legislation; it’s designed to help you. Hopefully this guide has gone some way to clarifying anything you might have been uncertain about. Good luck!

Related Links

• Fire Safety in Schools: A Comprehensive Guide
• Fire Legislation
• What to Do in an Electrical Fire
• How Do I Become a Fire Safety Officer?

The post Fire Safety in the Workplace: A Guide appeared first on Fire Training Company.