Protect your business from fire

As a business owner, you are expected to comply by law to protect your business from fire, premises and employees from fire. This will make you more likely to be prepared if the worst does happen and a fire occurs at your business. If you are a business owner or responsible for a business premises the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) order means legally you must reduce the risk of fire and make sure people can safely escape in the event of a fire. Non-compliance can lead to enforcement which poses a financial, legal, and reputation risk to your business.

Things you must do

• Carry out a Fire Risk Assessment and review it
• Create an emergency plan – so you know what to do if a fire does occur in your premises or a nearby premises
• Maintain and regularly test any fire protection equipment
• Induct and train all employees when they start work and refresh periodically

Top tips for keeping your business safe

• Store rubbish away from the building
• Rubbish should not accumulate
• Review your security and the access to your site.
• Report anti social behaviour to the police and share information with neighbouring businesses
• Report evidence of any fire to your local fire service
• Fit anti-arson letter boxes

There will be many fire hazards in your premises such as sources of ignition such as heaters, machinery, smokers materials. Sources of fuel such as workplace chemicals or cleaning agents and waste materials. And sources of oxygen such as natural airflow via windows and doors, mechanical air conditioning systems or sources of oxygen from medial or commercial supplies.

To reduce sources of ignition

• Make sure machinery and appliances are well maintained and try to install equipment which has been designed to reduce the risk of fire
• Make sure equipment is used correctly and sockets are not overloaded
• Enforce an appropriate procedure for dealing with and removing faulty equipment or appliances
• Try to reduce flammable substances to only those needed to run the business
• Ensure safe separation distances between flammable materials
• Ensure good housekeeping, don’t let rubbish accumulate and protect your premises from arson
• Make sure your workplace closes all doors and windows if not needed for ventilation and especially as part of the closing procedure

If you would like further information of how to protect your business from fire then contact us today!