Fire risk assessment
Fires cause UK businesses to lose millions of pounds a year. Every organisation has a responsibility to be fire aware. Below are some strategies to prevent fires from occurring and to minimise the damage if a fire does break out.
- Identify the most significant fire hazards and remove them or reduce the risk.
- Provide fire alarms with smoke and heat detectors.
- Test your fire alarms regularly.
- Provide portable fire extinguishing equipment and fire suppression systems, including automatic sprinklers.
- Identify escape routes and ensure they are kept clear of obstructions.
- Improve passive fire precautions such as adding fire resistant doors.
- Train staff in fire awareness, sounding the alarm, evacuation procedures and in the use of fire extinguishing equipment.
- Appoint a fire warden from among your staff and get them trained in dealing with an emergency.
- Set up regular fire drills so staff know how to respond if a fire is started.
- Maintain existing fire precaution measures, particularly those detailed in any fire certificate.
The local Fire Brigade will be able to provide advice on all these issues, as will Fire Risk Consultants.
Need more help?
There is a lot of free advice out there for organisations wishing to improve security. Take a look at some of the resources below:
- Download Secure in the Knowledge - Building a secure business PDF
- Take a look at Business Link – Fire safety and risk assessment
- Contact your local Fire Brigade who should be able to provide free advice on all these issues, as will Fire Risk Consultants.
