Fire presents a significant risk to you and your business, and can seriously injure or even kill visitors or employees, as well as seriously damage stock and equipment, and destroy buildings. Fires are typically caused by faulty appliances/equipment, lack of knowledge and carelessness, and in the majority of cases they could have been presented. It’s because of this that businesses should implement measures and systems to prevent or reduce any risk of a fire occurring.
How does a fire begin?
Fire primarily needs three main components to start:
- A source of ignition: lighting, electrical equipment, heaters, naked flames, cigarettes etc.
- A source of fuel: plastic, wood, paper, foam, loose packaging material etc.
- Oxygen
Things your business can do
- Risk assessments
It is your responsibility as a business owner to carry out the relevant fire risk assessment for your premises. The following steps should be taken during a fire risk assessment:
- Identifying the fire hazards
- Identifying people who are at risk
- Evaluating, removing, or reducing risks
- Recording findings, preparing an emergency plan, and providing training
- Reviewing and updating the fire risk assessment frequently
Following the risk assessment a person should:
– Let employees know about the risks that have been identified
– Put in place and properly maintain the appropriate fire safety measures
– Make sure you plan for an emergency
– Make sure you provide employees with fire safety instruction, training, and information
- Raising alarms and fire warning systems
A fire warning system put into a workplace should usually include:
– Automatic fire detectors for heat and smoke
– At least one manual/break-glass call point on each floor
– Electronic bells or sirens
– An indictor and control panel
- Evacuation
- All employees should know about the fire escape plan, and it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that they do through training and information.
- There should be at least two ways in which employees can get out of the building in case one is blocked by a fire.
- Escape routes should be kept clear all the time, as obstacles can ultimately cause problems such as injuries via falling/tripping
- Escape routes must also be clearly signposted on the premises and lighting provided for enclosed routes
- Routes can also be protected by installing some permanent fire separation alongside fire doors wherever possible, and fire doors should not be wedged open.
Conventional Fire Alarm System – This was the traditional system that activated an alarm when a fire started, and although you can zone your sensors to the panel and get a general idea of where the fire is, it does not pinpoint the exact location of the fire.
Analogue Addressable Fire Alarm System – Analogue addressable panels are more advanced than their conventional counterparts with greater information capacity and control flexibility, the analogue panel identifies exactly which sensor has been activated specifically.
Wireless Fire Alarm System – Wireless fire alarms require no cabling between the panel and the fire devices making for a quick and tidy installation, wireless fire alarms are perfect for listed buildings or where you do not wish to damage the décor of a property.
Foxmoor Fire and Security are a Gloucester based security company with over twenty years of expertise in keeping commercial and domestic property safe from the threat of fire and unwanted intrusion. Our expertise and experience can help you find the most appropriate solutions for intruder alarms, access control, CCTV, and fire alarms. Take a look at our website www.foxmoorsecurity.co.uk or give us a call on 01453 707 007 – we’d be happy to help! If you would like any further information on anything that has been discussed here, we would be happy to help. Simply head over to the website or call the number above.