How to Manage Fire Safety in the Workplace With Hybrid Working

A rise in hybrid working has brought about a new way of working that has benefited businesses and their employees on the whole. However, many overlook how the hybrid working model could potentially create fire risks, as there is a higher chance that offices and buildings will have considerably fewer people working inside, with some being completely unoccupied.

If you have altered your office layout or moved properties entirely to accommodate hybrid working and reduced numbers, you will need to review your evacuation procedures and existing monitoring systems to protect the health and well-being of your staff.

This article will look into what measures should be in place when it comes to monitoring and detecting fire risks so that businesses know how to manage fire safety effectively in their workplace.

 

Fire risk assessments

This process needs to be carried out at a workplace by an experienced, competent person to identify any fire risks and highlight the consequences should a fire break out.

Firstly, it’s imperative to make sure there are no outstanding actions from the previous assessment that need to be addressed. If there have been any changes to the layout of the building or company policies, a new fire risk assessment must be conducted to ensure all fire safety procedures are updated accordingly. This includes the positioning of:

• Fire extinguishers
• Fire alarm and detection systems
• Fire assembly point(s)

 

Fire wardens

Business owners are legally required to have appointed fire wardens and make sure they have undergone the relevant training to fulfil fire safety duties including:

• Identifying potential fire hazards
• Safe evacuation
• Fighting fire where required
• Day-to-day monitoring of good fire safety practices

With hybrid working, it’s important that there is at least one of these fire wardens present in the office each day to ensure all legal requirements are met; failure to do so compromises the safety of employees.

That said, it is worth making sure that all employees are familiar with the evacuation route in the event of an emergency so they are prepared in the absence of a fire warden.

 

Fire alarm testing and practices

It is a legal requirement that any fire alarm systems installed in a building, whether it is occupied or vacant, must be tested on a weekly basis by a competent person. If this competent person is working from home, these tasks can be missed and people could be at significant risk should a fire break out. Not only that, hybrid working may mean that employees miss out on relevant training which leaves gaps in their fire safety training.

As such, employers must make sure that the competent person is up to date with their fire safety training and attends the office at least once a week to carry out the necessary checks. It’s worth noting that a rise in rented office space might mean that the responsibility falls to the appointed person of the building, such as a facilities manager rather than someone at your company, so you should check this as soon as possible.

 

For commercial fire safety services throughout London, Birmingham and across the UK, look no further than City Fire Protection. We specialise in fire alarm installation and maintenance, fire safety equipment, fire risk assessments, fire safety training and much more.

Get in touch today to find out more.