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.

Those who have taken fire training, however, will be able to recognise when it’s the correct course of action to extinguish a blaze before it gets out of control. The key is to know which fire extinguisher is appropriate to which situation – as you don’t want to make an error in such a dangerous environment. 

Having fire extinguishers within your building is required by law – and knowing how to use them is critical to ensuring the safety of everyone.

Fire Training Company have created this helpful fire extinguisher quiz so you can test your knowledge of the different types and the various flammable materials they can be used for.

Fire Extinguisher Quiz

Start Quiz

Question

Your answer:

Correct answer:

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Your Answers

Learn more about fire extinguisher use

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

• How to use a fire extinguisher
• What are the different classes of fire?
• What to do in an electrical fire

The post Fire Extinguisher Quiz 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: 13 minutes

Introduction

In the UK, fire safety practices for all non-domestic premises are oriented around the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. However, this legislation is all-encompassing; it is not specific for individual types of non-domestic premises. As such, knowing the legislative requirements for fire safety in restaurants and how they might inform proper practice can be a real challenge. 

To help you better understand this legislation, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to restaurant fire safety; from the causes of restaurant fires to daily implementation of the legislation, everything you need to know is right here.

What are some common causes of restaurant fires?

In order to put the legislation into context and understand why it helps prevent fires, it would be useful to establish how such fires actually break out. in restaurants.

Equipment

Cooking equipment is the most likely cause of fire in a restaurant. The general consensus is that inadequate cleaning and maintenance of cooking equipment in the kitchen is the direct cause of this.

Grease and oil build-ups are not just unhygienic; these substances can also be extremely flammable. Worryingly, you’ll find these deposits all over the kitchen. Deep-fat fryers are a common culprit; busy kitchens may mean grease traps fill quickly and in doing so, they create an often-unseen fire hazard.

In addition, grills, hobs and ovens can all fall victim to these dangerous grease build-ups. Hard-to-reach places and concealed areas in these appliances are often where grease accumulates most.

Faulty Wiring and Electricals

Don’t be fooled, whilst your hob and oven may run on gas, electrical fires remain a common cause of fire in any commercial kitchen. The sheer volume of electrical usage, and the extensive use of appliances in any restaurant kitchen presents a constant concern. Untested appliances can have faulty plugs and inner circuitry; old wiring can struggle with the voltage demanded by modern appliances. The heat generated by these faults can consequently lead to fire.

Older restaurants, in particular, may have old and faulty wiring which can be a serious problem. Gradual wear-and-tear, combined with historically-lower electrical standards, can directly cause a blaze.

Decorations and USPs

Not all restaurant fires start in the kitchen. In the customer dining area, perhaps you use candles, lanterns or other vintage lighting solutions. It only takes one customer or member of staff to knock a candle over and with wooden tables and tablecloths the situation can easily get out of hand. 

Even worse, perhaps you use scented or ‘mood’ candles in your bathrooms, which are often unattended. If you want to create an atmosphere in the restaurant, find an alternative or use easily-extinguishable candles. Similarly unattended patio heaters, particularly in bars, may fall victim to being knocked over or messed with by some intoxicated patrons.

Perhaps you have a Unique Selling Point (USP) in your restaurant, manifested in the form of a piece of cooking equipment. Teppanyaki grills and tableside flambé look spectacular. However, this liberal use of propane gas and flammable alcohols could easily spell disaster. Allowing customers to use this gas unsupervised further increases this risk; Korean BBQ, for example, permits each table a personal grill to cook meat to their liking. If improperly lit or maintained, these grills could be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands.

Similarly, pizza and tandoori ovens can be problematic; these more traditional methods of cooking sometimes don’t have a gas burner which you can simply turn off. When using a tandoor, one has to wait for the coals to die down from the intense heat. The wood fuel for a pizza oven can be similarly hard to control.

As an aside, quality of fire is also a concern here. Whilst they may not ever produce a blaze, low-quality wood or improperly-constructed tandoors could cause incomplete fuel combustion. In turn, carbon monoxide and other noxious gases could be released to both staff and clientele.

‘Transparent’ Restaurants

Some restaurants, in the pursuit of a certain aesthetic and ambience, put the chef front-and-centre (including the aforementioned Teppanyaki grills). They may locate the kitchen in the middle of the restaurant or, at the very least, unwalled and on-show for customers. As with the USPs listed above, you must act against heightened risk. A lack of fire-resistant walls, doors and ceilings between a blaze in the kitchen and the dining area can endanger customers, reducing their possible escape time.

Furthermore, working in front of customers can be mentally and physically taxing. Whilst in a normal kitchen, chefs and staff may chat and laugh together, the need for constant professionalism during long working hours could increase the likelihood of human error and, therefore, of fire.

Arson

Though arson is not the biggest contributor to restaurant fires, it still accounted for 9% of fires on food and drink premises in 2019/20. Over the 5 preceding years, it led to an average of around 170 fires a year on British food and drink premises. When you put a number next to it, arson rightfully becomes more of a concern.

What are the possible consequences of a restaurant fire?

The human cost

Though the numbers are mercifully low, restaurant fires can obviously pose a real threat to your customers and staff. In 2019/20, food and drink premises, like restaurants, saw 2 deaths and 101 injuries in the UK. 

When you think about it, whilst that figure may seem somewhat low, it’s a little frightening. A restaurant should be somewhere safe, comfortable and relaxing for customers. They shouldn’t expect to come to any harm, whether by mistake or negligence. Removing risk to the customer is vital; you have a duty to care for them.

The financial cost

Typically, however, the financial strain of a restaurant fire is far more likely and condemnatory for a food business. 80% of UK businesses which have a major fire incident fail to reopen completely or close within 18 months. 

This, in large part, is due to the shockwave that a restaurant fire can cause to the surrounding economy. In 2004, the costs of major non-domestic premises fires were estimated at around £2.5 billion to the British economy. These costs are not just a burden for the restaurateur, manager or landlord, as many UK restaurants are housed adjacent to, below or above flats and other businesses. Restaurant fires, therefore, can cause both homelessness and loss of business.

The wider impact of poor fire safety standards

Finally, consider how poor fire safety standards can cause problems in other areas of the restaurant. Primarily, good food hygiene practice often goes hand-in-hand with fire safety in restaurants. 

When you clear your deep-fat fryers of grease and oil, for example, you remove both a fire and hygiene hazard. Not only is this build-up flammable, it can also harbour hidden bacteria and invite pests. Thorough cleaning of your appliances, then, is a beneficial task. Similarly, taking out the rubbish is key; in doing so, you remove both a trip and fire hazard.

What is the current UK legislation regarding fire safety in restaurants?

As aforementioned, current UK fire safety legislation is centred upon the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This document constitutes a wholesale approach to fire safety in non-domestic premises. There are a number of steps to following this legislation for proper restaurant fire safety.

You must first appoint the premises’ Responsible Person. This person will be in charge of all fire safety procedures at the restaurant. The legislation appoints the role to anyone with control over the premises. In small to medium assembly buildings, such as restaurants, this could be:

• Employers
• Facilities Managers
• Tenants
• Landlords
• Owners/Restaurateurs 
• 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 daily and periodic duties. Whilst we will explore them thoroughly later in this guide, in short, they are:

• 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

How is this legislation enforced?

For the majority of non-domestic premises, fire safety jurisdiction and enforcement is the responsibility of the local fire and rescue authorities.

The local fire service is entitled, at their discretion, to inspect restaurants and other small and medium assembly premises. You must always welcome the local fire authority and have your records available.

If the premises fail inspection: 

• The local authority could issue alteration notices to the Responsible Person, who must then implement any recommended changes onsite
• The authority can also issue more serious enforcement and prohibition notices, which can lead to closure.
• Failure to act on these notices or committing serious breaches of protocol can lead to unlimited fines and up totwo years’ imprisonment.

Following the Legislation

As previously noted, your first task in following fire safety legislation is to appoint the Responsible Person(s). This role is only loosely defined as those with ‘control over the premises’. If multiple people fall into this category, as aforementioned, they must meet in consensus and agree on the Responsible Person(s). 

It’s important to realise that your premises may have different responsible people at different times. For example, a pub bistro may have a bar area, central dining area and a function room. You must establish the fire safety responsibilities of the wedding, funeral and/or other event planners who hire out the room. You may agree that the permanent owner/tenant of the premises maintains fire safety responsibility. However, you should establish this clearly in the hiring contract.

In every circumstance all those with some permanent or temporary control over the premises must know who qualifies as a Responsible Person. 

Fire Risk Assessment

Whomever the Responsible Person(s) may be, after being appointed, they must ensure a fire risk assessment is carried out:

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.

Only a ‘competent person’ should complete your premises’ fire risk assessment. This is someone with proper, adequate knowledge of the fire safety procedures required for your restaurant. 

If the designated Responsible Person(s) doesn’t (or don’t) feel comfortable with this, you can hire a professional, third-party fire risk assessor. However, responsible people should have the fire safety training required to qualify as a ‘competent person’.

Common Risk Areas

As we explored earlier, every restaurant is unique. Your building, lighting choices, cooking styles, kitchen and dining area all present equally unique fire safety hazards. Therefore, each risk assessment will be unique.

What we can provide is some common problem areas for many restaurants. You should use these examples as a foundation to build upon as you assess the individual risk to your restaurant. 

Your maximum occupancy

Establishing the maximum occupancy of your building is a mandatory part of your fire risk assessment. Moreover, it’s incredibly useful information to be armed with in the event of a fire. Knowing the highest number of people you have to evacuate will ensure that any emergency procedures go as smoothly as planned. You should establish your maximum occupancy based on the size of your building. Then you’ll understand how many dining tables, bar spaces, individual customers and staff can be present at any one time.

Evacuation procedures for customers

Whilst you may be legally-mandated to train your staff in proper fire safety practice, no such requirement exists for your patrons. Whether they would like to or not, your customers likely have no real understanding of what to do or how to escape during a fire on your premises. 

So, how can you calmly and thoroughly communicate evacuation procedures to them if a fire breaks out? This not only requires someone who can be heard, from an area audible above the typical restaurant din, that someone (most often the Responsible Person) must also have the requisite fire safety knowledge to safely conduct such a procedure.

Catering for customers with a disability

With a diverse range of customers, not everyone can evacuate safely during a fire without assistance. How will you care for the elderly, pregnant and very young? 

Moreover, you should have provisions in place to assist those with hearing and vision impairments or need physical assistance. If your restaurant only has stairwell exits, do you have evacuation chairs ready? If you have a high number of customers who are hard-of-hearing (elderly customers, for example), could you install a strobe-lighting smoke alarm system?

Layout of your restaurant

Consider, too, the layout of your restaurant and how it might help or hinder escape. You should clearly define fire exit routes in your risk assessment and then keep them clear at all times. This means keeping tables and chairs within strict, well-defined seating zones. Take this into consideration when you move this furniture to accommodate larger dining parties.

The zoning plan should translate through the entire restaurant; you must ensure the premises are well compartmentalised. Preferably, you should separate the dining, cooking and storage areas. You should protect customers from any kitchen fires with fire walls, ceilings and doors, which offer at least 30 minutes of fire resistance.

Adjacent tenants

As we’ve briefly explored, restaurant premises often house multiple tenants, in both domestic and non-domestic settings. Whilst the landlord may have responsibility for those tenants, your mandatory fire detection system should warn them too, if there is a fire in your restaurant. Perhaps you can coordinate with them beforehand in the interests of safety.

Preventing customers from accidentally starting fires

We mentioned earlier how some restaurant styles allow the customer to cook their own food, to their own liking. If this is the case, how can you reduce the fire risk facing them without intense training? In the case of Korean barbecue, for example, you could place fire extinguishers at every table. You could also ensure that only trained staff light table grills, so fire is never directly in customer hands.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend for so-called ‘dark dining’. This involves eating in blackout darkness, so as to raise one’s taste sensitivity and enhance the intensity of flavours. If a fire were to break out in this situation, the use of fluorescent and/or battery-powered signs would be most effective.

Training your staff

You have a legal obligation to provide fire safety training to your staff. The Responsible Person can lead this training course or employees can take online and face-to-face courses.

Daily Management of Fire Safety in restaurants

Here’s just a few tips on how you can manage fire safety in your restaurant on a daily basis:

• Get the basics right. Keep fire doors closed and check your smoke alarms regularly. Ensure that your best defences against fire are always ready.
• Maintain your fire fighting equipment. Whether you have wood-firing ovens or gas ovens, stock the right fire extinguisher for your needs. Furthermore, keep them in the right zone; there’s no point having a fire extinguisher for kitchen grease fires in the dining area.
• Maintain equipment which could cause fire. If you have electrical devices in the kitchen, get them regularly PAT-tested. Look out for potential causes of fire, like worn cables or overheating appliances. Have your gas devices checked by a professional and keep everything up-to-date.
• Regularly clean the hard to reach areas. Whilst it’s a laborious task, cleaning the concealed and difficult-to-reach spaces we mentioned earlier will save you time and money in the long run. Build-ups of grease often harden and become stuck to appliances. Eliminate the need for expensive, professional cleaning crews by not letting them accumulate in the first place. Moreover, the financial devastation of a fire is infinitely more catastrophic than the extra wage for a restaurant cleaner or the time spent scrubbing yourself.

Conclusion

Restaurant fire safety is a constant battle for owners and managers. However, it is one you must take seriously; you are ultimately responsible for the health and wellbeing of your employees, customers and neighbours.

Related Links

• Fire Safety in the Workplace: A Guide
• Fire Safety in Schools: A Comprehensive Guide
• Online Fire Training Courses

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