From Fire Sprinklers to Extinguishers: Is Your Workplace Protected?
As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure your workplace is as safe as possible. Workplace fires are more common than you may realise and they can cost your business hundreds in property damage and compensation claims, as well as put your employees at great risk. Fires can harm and take people’s lives and often, businesses never truly recover from a big fire.
It is your duty to create a safe work environment for everyone in your workplace and this means having the correct fire safety equipment and precauations in place. Many workplace fires are caused by a mistake that could have easily been prevented if the correct equipment was installed. While every workplace is different, there are key pieces of fire safety equipment that every organisation should have.
Protecting your workplace is extremely important and there are lots of different things you can put in place to do this. Below, we take a look at the fire safety equipment every workplace needs and share our top fire prevention tips to keep yourself, your employees and your business safe.
Fire safety equipment every workplace needs
No matter what type of workplace you operate, a fire alarm system is essential in any business building. While fire alarms and smoke detectors won’t directly help you to control a fire, they are a reliable way to detect a fire once it has broken out. Fire alarms will warn employees that there is a fire so that they can safely evacuate the building, helping to ensure everyone remains safe and gets out of the building in time.
Every workplace should have at least one fire extinguisher. The number of fire extinguishers you need will depend on the size of your premises and the kinds of risks related to your workplace. There are a few different types of fire extinguishers available; again, the type you need will depend on the fire risks in your workplace:
● Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguisher: ideal for all electrical risks where oils and spirits are in use. A CO2 extinguisher is harmless to delicate materials.
● Foam Fire Extinguisher: this type of extinguisher is a good solution for multi-risk usage.
● Wet Chemical Extinguisher: this type of extinguisher will cool burning oils and reduce reignition of flames.
● Water Fire Extinguisher: a water fire extinguisher is a multi-purpose extinguisher.
● Powder fire Extinguisher: can tackle fires involving paper, wood, electrics and flammable liquids. They can also be used on vehicle fires.
Fire exit signs and emergency lighting
Fire exit signs and emergency lighting is equally important as other pieces of fire safety equipment in the workplace. Fire exit signs guide employees to the correct exit and ensure they know where to safely evacuate the building. Signs should highlight safety procedures, emergency exits and equipment locations. They may also highlight evacuation routes and assembly points.
In the event of a fire, the electricity in your building may cut out. It’s important to have emergency lighting in your building to ensure employees and customers can see clearly when exiting the premises. Emergency lighting systems can provide lighting for up to three hours, helping to ensure everyone exits the building safely.
If your workplace has a kitchen area, you’ll need a fire blanket. Fire blankets can be used to smother flames in the kitchen and put out small fires. A fire survives on three elements: heat, oxygen and fuel. A fire blanket works by smothering the fire and cutting off the oxygen supply.
Fire sprinkler system or automist system
A fire sprinkler system is one of the most effective pieces of fire equipment. A fire sprinkler system is a pressurised water supply and distribution system and is typically suitable for large office buildings, hotels, warehouses and manufacturing industries - anywhere that has a large space.
In the event of a fire, sprinkler systems are activated and release water from the system to extinguish the fire below. As they are automatic, fire sprinkler systems are extremely reliable.
A first aid kit does not necessarily help to combat a fire, but it’s a necessary part of health and safety protocol in the workplace. Minor injuries can be treated with first aid care; an onsite first aider may be able to prevent burns from having lasting damage using the equipment in a first aid kit. A first aider will be able to help until paramedics arrive.
Make sure you always replace expired or used products in the kit so that you are prepared for all kinds of accidents in the workplace, including burns from a fire.
Keep the workplace tidy and ensure equipment is accessible
The fire protection equipment, such as fire extinguishers and control panels, should be easily accessible. Emergency exits should never be blocked; when stacking anything, always remember to keep exits and entrances clear. It’s also important to ensure fire alarms and fire sprinklers are not blocked or obstructed by paint, dust or debris. This could stop them from working correctly.
In addition, it’s important to make sure the workplace is as tidy as possible and free from clutter. In the event of a fire, employees need to easily access fire exits and leave the building. Wires, boxes and various other items can make this difficult.
To ensure your fire safety equipment is in top condition and working correctly, it’s important to carry out regular maintenance. Each piece of equipment needs to be maintained and inspected regularly. It’s also important to ensure machines in your building are properly maintained; if machines in the workplace overheat, this could cause electrical sparks or a fire.
When carrying out maintenance, make sure you check that all of the fire alarm systems and emergency lighting is working, all fire escapes can be opened easily, fire exit signs are in the right place and any faults in systems or equipment are recorded.
Practise prevention techniques in the workplace
There are a few things you should do around the office to prevent a fire from breaking out in the workplace. Make sure outlets are not overloaded, overheated or shorted. You should have enough power outlets in your workplace for all of your equipment; overloading circuits will only cause electrical issues. Inspect wires regularly for any signs of damage or fraying.
Keep combustible objects, such as fabric, paper and plastics away from electrical equipment and regularly check for plugs that rattle or have loose covers. You should also ensure Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is carried out regularly:
Thameside Fire Protection: fire extinguishers, fire sprinkler installation and more
Thameside Fire Protection is a full-service, family-owned fire safety company with over 30 years of experience. We’re dedicated to delivering fire protection in Essex to keep businesses safe and ensure you are prepared for any emergency fire situations. Our experienced team are proud of our excellent reputation within the industry and have helped hundreds of clients across the UK to improve their fire safety in the workplace.
Whether you need fire alarms installed on your premises or you’d like to undertake a fire safety training course, we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive range of fire safety services. Our fire solutions are suitable for everyone’s needs; when it comes to fire safety, high-quality equipment, assessments and expert advice, you needn’t look further than the team at Thameside Fire Protection.
Whatever the scope and scale of your requirements, we can help. From a fire risk assessment through to complete design, supply, installation and servicing of fire protection systems, our sole focus is providing you with the right solutions.
For more information about our services, visit our website.
