Top Tips for Fire Safety in the Office!

The devastating effects of fire mean it is something companies must be extremely vigilant about and, in order to protect their property and the people who work within it as far as possible, various steps must be taken to ensure adequate fire safety measures are in place…

Fire is one of the greatest threats to a business as it can start almost anywhere and, once it has, can destroy everything in its path. The huge number of risks present in a commercial building, coupled with accidents and human error, can result in fires which kill or severely injure employees and customers, as well as cause significant damage to your property, equipment and stock.

There are various laws, regulations and health and safety guidelines which govern fire protection in the workplace, but these can all seem fairly daunting and complex to someone with little or no experience about the fire safety industry. So, to make office fire safety as simple as possible the experts here at City Fire have compiled a check list to ensure your business is safe and protected…

1. Designate a Responsible Person

According to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all businesses and commercial properties must assign a ‘responsible person’. The Act places the responsibility on whoever owns, manages or is in control of non-domestic premises and determines the main duties this person is responsible for. These duties include:

• Carrying out a thorough and comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment
• Identifying the safety measures required as a result of the assessment
• Ensuring fire safety equipment is properly installed and complies with all current regulations
• Undertaking regular maintenance of all your fire detection and safety equipment
• Keeping the Fire Risk Assessment under review and consistently up to date

2. Understanding Fire Risk Assessments

The Fire Precautions Workplace Regulations (1997) puts the responsibility firmly on businesses to carry out their own Fire Risk Assessments. A thorough assessment involves assessing the risk and probability of fire, identifying specific threats and hazards within your environment and then implementing the appropriate measures to eliminate these risks as far as possible.

Undertaking a Risk Assessment can be an incredibly complex task and professionals within the fire industry recommend hiring experts to conduct it for you – such as the team down at City Fire. When you call upon our assistance we can make sure your Risk Assessment has been completed to the most stringent standards and accurately meets all your legal and contractual obligations. We can also recommend any remedial action which needs to be taken as a result of the assessment and can supply and install high quality fire safety equipment to meet your needs.

3. Install an appropriate and high quality fire alarm system

One of the most effective ways to protect your building and the people within it, and also a requirement by law in commercial premises, is to install a high quality fire alarm system. Fire alarms are an incredibly useful tool as they are a fire detection method, picking up on smoke and heat signals which may otherwise go unnoticed, and also provide an efficient way to quickly and obviously inform everyone in the event of an emergency.

We offer a wide range of fire alarm systems here at City Fire, and our experts can advise you on the most appropriate system for your environment. Whatever you need, our wealth of services ensures we can meet your every requirement and our fire safety professionals can install your new fire alarm system to the most superior standards.

4. Make sure effective fire protection equipment is installed and well maintained

To ensure comprehensive protection, there are a range of fire safety measures which can be put in place and this involves installing fire equipment based upon the results of your Risk Assessment. Fire extinguishers are usually required by law in all commercial buildings, including offices, and are a fundamental form of protection. Available in a range of types, fire extinguishers are specifically designed for different environments, purposes and uses and it is vital you get an expert opinion on what is required in your building before installing your fire extinguisher or combination of extinguishers.

Here at City Fire, we supply, install and maintain all types of fire extinguisher and can help you select the most appropriate types for your property and its associated fire risks. We also supply an extensive selection of other fire protection equipment, including fire doors, wet and dry risers and sprinkler systems, all of which can dramatically enhance the overall safety within your office.

5. Prepare and plan fire evacuation procedures

One of the final steps of your Fire Risk Assessment is to prepare and practice efficient evacuation procedures. The procedure should include various escape routes, in the event of one being blocked off in a fire, and should make exiting your office as quick and simple as possible. There are various pieces of safety equipment that can make evacuation safer and easier, including fire signage and emergency lighting, all of which we supply and fit here at City Fire.

It is vital that you take every step to ensure your office is as protected from the threat of fire as possible. Not only is it a legal obligation, it can also be the difference between life and death, so make sure your office is thoroughly up to date with all current regulations and safety advice.

So for more information on any of our services, and to arrange a Fire Risk Assessment or equipment installation at your convenience, get in touch with the friendly and highly experienced team at City Fire today!