Fire Prevention.
We all know how terrifying and devastating a fire can be; it destroys lives and businesses.
Whilst fires aren’t necessarily the most common type of accident within the UK, when they do occur, they can be exceptionally dangerous - even deadly.
Even if your staff escape harm of injury, the consequences of fires can be extremely expensive for businesses - not just because of the damage to property and stock, but also potentially in terms of litigation if the employer was found to be at fault.
Government statistics state that around 70% of businesses damaged by a fire never reopen, or close within 3 years of the fire.
5 top causes of workplace fires (and how to prevent them being dangerous.)
Faulty Electrical Equipment
Topping the list is one of the singularly biggest causes of workplace fires. Loose wires, overloaded plugs and faulty connections can all result in dangerous electrical fires. One of the reasons it’s so common is that it can happen anywhere; offices, workshops and warehouses alike. Cost-saving measures and ill trained staff can often play a part.
Our TOP TIPS are:
Make sure the equipment is fully PAT Tested.
Make sure your Fire Risk Assessments are all up-to-date to uncover all potential dangers.
Make sure all your Compartmentation is correct to avoid the risk of fire spreading.
Flammable and combustible materials
Improper storage of these materials is a common contributor to workplace fires – workshops and garages, for example, can be prone to them, as sparks from circular saws, angle grinders and similar tools can set light to nearby flammable materials. In certain spaces, these might include materials such as flammable chemicals, or oil barrels. Thankfully, this risk is often neutralised simply by ensuring that all materials are properly stored, well away from ignition sources.
Our TOP TIPS are:
Make sure your Fire Risk Assessments are all up-to-date and reviewed regularly to uncover all potential dangers.
Make sure all your Compartmentation is correct to avoid the risk of fire spreading; this is especially important around high risk areas.
Make sure your Fire Doors, especially in and out of high risk areas, are fully functional to avoid breach of fire.
Lack of staff training
It’s an unpreventable fact of life that accidents will happen. Perfectly serviceable equipment might burn out unexpectedly, or certain materials might turn out to be suddenly flammable. While not all fires have a perpetrator (accidental or not), proper training for all staff is vital for both dealing with these circumstances, and avoiding them in the first place. Staff training can prevent mistakes that could turn out to be catastrophic. Educating staff should be an absolute top priority. But how do I know what to train them on?
Our TOP TIP is:
Make sure your Fire Risk Assessments, which includes planning, informing, instructing and training staff, are all up-to-date and reviewed regularly.
Lack of resources and equipment in place
It sounds basic, but you might be surprised at how many businesses continually neglect this step. Without proper equipment, a fire can quickly reach a dangerous stage before you or your staff are even aware of it, creating a very vulnerable situation.
Our TOP TIPS are:
Make sure your Fire Risk Assessments, are all up-to-date and reviewed regularly to uncover missing/ill performing equipment.
Make sure your Fire Doors are fully functional to avoid dangerous breach of fire.
Make sure all your Compartmentation is correct to avoid the risk of fire spreading and creating a vulnerable situation.
Arson
According to the Home Office, 45% of all serious fires in the UK (to property) are thought to be caused by arson. With all the correct preventative measures in place, including CCTV covering the outside of your building, you can never be fully safe from the risk of arson. With arson attacks being a major concern to all properties, it is doubly important that all your passive fire protection measures are in place to avoid minimal damage.
Our TOP TIPS are:
Make sure your Fire Doors are fully functional to avoid dangerous breach of fire.
Make sure all your Compartmentation is correct to avoid the risk of fire spreading and creating a vulnerable situation that could escalate quickly.
It only takes one cause to start a fire.
Rannetic Scotland will help you make sure you are minimising the risk.