Fire Safety tips in the Workplace

Adena Fire’s primary concern is to ensure that our clients are fully aware of their responsibilities for fire safety, and we work with them to make our services comprehensive, straightforward and with the least disruption to their businesses. Visit our other pages for more information.
In the meantime, here are some useful tips for keeping your workplace safe for all who work in it and visit it.

Most businesses must have a ‘responsible person’ whose specific role it is to take on the mantle of fire safety, however, here are some points that all staff should be aware of:

• All staff must be alert to fire safety dangers – ensuring that any potential risks are highlighted immediately to the responsible person.
  The identification and training of designated members of staff is essential, and may mean that their expertise prevents a fire from starting in the first place. Click here for details of our Fire Training options including live-fire training.
• Practice good housekeeping in the workplace – for example, clutter such as paper, can fuel a fire, as well as preventing access to exits and emergency equipment. Bins and recycling areas should be designated and cleared regularly.
• Ensure that electrical appliances are tested regularly. Fires started by faulty electrical appliances are costly and easily avoidable.
• Educational premises, leisure centres.
• Make sure that electrical control panels aren’t blocked in order that firefighters are able to shut down power in an emergency.
• Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. This will allow the Fire Service to get to equipment and exits more quickly, and consequently, will reduce the potential damage to both property and persons.
• Be sure to have your specific fire strategy plans posted prominently around your building, in order that personnel and the public can familiarise themselves with them. Fire Emergency Plans, Fire Safety Policies and Fire Evacuation Drills will detail information such as the nearest fire exits and specified gathering points for staff, ensuring that missing persons can be identified immediately.Click here to see how we can help you.
• Fire alarms must be tested regularly, as well as a regular program of full fire evacuation drills involving all staff.Click here to see how we can help you.If you are in a large building (over 18m high) check your risers regularly. These allow the Fire Services to put out fires quickly.Click here to see how you we can help you.

Fire in the workplace is not only a frightening and unpleasant experience for everyone involved, it also costs companies time and money. Rebuilding a workplace after a fire can be very expensive and time-consuming, and not every business manages to do it.