Fire Risk

Fire fighting skills can be gained through short training courses.

A system of smoke detectors and alarms must be in place and escape routes should be clearly marked. Smoke doors and other means of limiting the spread should also be employed.

For an occupied building, tenants should be put through a regular fire drill. While many companies will provide a warning of a fire drill, this will not provide a realistic picture of the response and evacuation time.

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A fire drill, conducted without any prior notice, will quickly provide a picture of how effective the warning and evacuation measures are.

Building occupants, be they tenants or employees, should all have some rudimentary knowledge of what to do in the case of a fire, which means providing them with some basic training.

You must provide all employees with instruction and training so that they know what to do in the event of a fire. Some items may seem very rudimentary, but it is best to cover everything with everyone, to be certain of the message’s reach.

Some basics you should be sure everyone knows include how to raise the alarm if they find a fire, how to contact the fire brigade, how to use fire fighting equipment, how to evacuate the building, and where to assemble once they’re outside the danger area.

This information has to be proofed against changes of personnel. The simple way to make this possible is to keep a comprehensive log of everything, from fire hazards in the building, to the last training sessions run, as well as the emergency plan for your building.

These records need to be working documents, not a doorstop file created once and then ignored. In fact, they need to be maintained and updated as much as the equipment you will rely on in a fire, so once the initial risk assessment is done, schedule check ups at regular intervals. If significant changes are made to the building, a new wave of employees or tenants arrive, or even if there is a fire, the procedures should be reviewed and updated again.

Everything from alarm systems, fire doors to the on site fire fighting equipment must be checked and maintained on a regular schedule. Many manufacturers of such key equipment provide after-sales service as part of the purchase package. This should be taken into account when selecting products and assessing their lifecycle cost.

Keeping a fire plan updated and equipment in good working order could save lives in an emergency. Make sure you know who is responsible for doing this in each building under your care and make sure it happens.

Training
Fire fighting skills can be gained through short training courses. Training providers, such as Gulf Technical and Safety Training Centre, offer courses covering the correct use of a simple portable fire extinguisher, or basic fire fighting skills, through to more specialist training for hazardous environments. There are also courses offering training for would-be fire marshals.

Equipment
Portable fire extinguishers are one of the most common pieces of firefighting equipment seen in the workplace. When the fire hazards have been evaluated, decisions can be made about the type and capacity of fire extinguishers needed.

Fire extinguishers come in several classes, depending on the type of fire they are designed to combat.

• Class A fires include wood, paper and textiles
• Class B fires include flammable liquids
• Class C fires include electrical equipment
• Class D fires include metal powders and shavings
• Class K fire extinguishers are required for commercial and restaurant kitchens

Fire extinguishers should be securely mounted on the wall or inside a cabinet. They must be accessible at all times. Furniture and storage materials should not block access.

Inspection, maintenance, and testing are required for fire extinguishers. They must be fully charged and in operable condition at all times; when they are removed for service, equivalent equipment must be provided.

Fire risk tips

• Carry out a fire-risk assessment and identify possible dangers and risks
• Think about who might be particularly at risk - you may have disabled employees, or people who work with hazardous chemicals
• Get rid of the risk from fire, as far as reasonably possible
• Put in place fire precautions to deal with any risks that remain
• Make sure there is protection if you use or store flammable or explosive materials
• Have a plan to deal with emergencies
• Record your findings and review them as and when necessary 

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