What is fire safety?
Fire safety involves a set of practices used to enhance the safety of employees and a building, by preventing the risk of fire – or containing it in the event that one breaks out. The task of devising these rules and regulations will fall into the hands of the business owner, and should then be clearly communicated to all members of staff.
Why is fire safety important?
Curating a checklist that highlights what employees should
Fire safety in the workplace
Carry out a fire risk assessment
The first essential step when it comes to fire safety in the workplace is to carry out a fire risk assessment. In doing this, a business owner will be able to identify any potential fire hazards and those who may be at risk, and these will then be evaluated and removed if necessary. All findings must be recorded, and the fire risk assessment should be updated regularly.
Fire equipment
Sometimes, there’s no telling when a fire will break out. Should you or any of your employees find themselves in this scenario, time is of the essence. You must ensure that they have all of the fire safety equipment needed available to them to swiftly contain the fire.
Each and every workplace must have at least one fire extinguisher on the premises, but this varies based on the size of the building concerned, and the types of fires that are most likely to occur in your workplace.
Alongside fire extinguishers, your building must be equipped with fire exit signs to indicate your fire escape route, and emergency lighting is also required for clear navigation, should you experience a power outage during a fire.
Here at SSS Industrial Doors, we offer a variety of bespoke high-speed doors and fire safety products to protect your premises quickly and efficiently in the event of a fire. From our highly durable steel hinged fire doors, designed to contain fire and thick smoke, to our UKCA and CE marked flame armour fire shutters, there are plenty of options available to best suit your requirements.
Alerting others
It’s essential that you also equip your building with smoke alarms and sensors, so that anyone present at the time of the fire can evacuate as quickly as possible. The shrill noise will alert them immediately, indicating that they must take the fire escape route. Fire alarms must be tested regularly to ensure that they are working correctly.
Always keep fire exits and escape routes clear
Your fire escape route should be the quickest and safest way out of the building, so make sure nothing is obstructing the path – such as empty boxes. If your business does accumulate high volumes of waste over time, always make sure to remind your employees to clean up after themselves, rather than leaving empty packaging (which is likely to be flammable) on the floor.
Equipment inspection
Faulty equipment is one of the most common causes of fire in the workplace, so regular inspections must be carried out. Keep an eye out for frayed wiring, overloaded extension leads, or old equipment that shows signs of damage. These are not safe to operate, and the problem must be resolved immediately to avoid risks to health and safety.
Fire safety training
Would your staff know exactly what to do in the event of a fire? Develop and test their knowledge with fire safety training. Communication is essential in any workplace – particularly if your workplace undergoes any significant changes – so training programmes must be adapted and revisited accordingly. Fire drills are also an effective way to determine whether individuals need to undergo more training.
Reviewing your fire risk assessment
As mentioned above, if your building undergoes any significant changes, your fire risk assessment must be adapted. Not only this, as your organisation grows, it’s likely that you’ll introduce more equipment – which might affect the risks you may be exposed to. Remain vigilant and remind yourself that, even in buildings that appear completely safe on the surface, there’s always a risk of a fire.
For further advice on how you can enhance fire safety in the workplace, get in touch with our team of professionals today. With a range of industrial doors available, you can guarantee that your building will be protected.
