Workplace fires can be very unpredictable, and are especially dangerous in a work facility for various reasons.
The type of workplace or facility will very likely determine the level of risk, but workplaces are often busy environments with large workforces and expensive property, so it’s crucial that all organisations take the necessary steps to minimise the risk of fire in the office or work environment, and have the guidance in place to deal with fire scenarios should they occur.
In offices and clerical environments with high levels of occupants, fires pose a huge risk to public safety as fire, smoke and fumes can spread quickly, particularly offices storing combustible materials such as paper, furniture and computers, with Class A fires being one of the most likely fire types.
Similarly, warehouses, factories and storage facilities often store flammable materials, liquids or gasses and can lead to Class B & Class C fire scenarios, which can be particularly devastating and uncontrollable.
Legal & Moral Responsibilities of Employers
As per the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is the responsibility of the employer to maintain fire safety and protect employees or anyone potentially affected by work activity.
The Fire Safety Order (FSO) applies to all workplaces, including offices, factories, shops and schools.
Moreover, employers have a moral responsibility as the personnel in charge to protect their employees, equipment and property and their business, as any form of fire is likely to be highly disruptive to workplace productivity.
Therefore, it is crucial for employers, or personnel delegated with fire safety, to ensure the necessary inspections and precautions are taken to protect staff and property. This includes fire risk assessments, fire door surveys and compartmentation surveys, which helps to contain and limit the spread of fires should they occur.
Any potential fire risks identified should be eliminated or reduces as much as possible. Usually, employers and properties establish effective fire safety measures such as fire alarms, fire extinguishers and fire escape plans.
There are numerous little things employers can do of their own accord to promote fire safety in the workplace, including;
- Keep fire exits clear and unobstructed
- Conduct fire drills regularly
- Store flammable materials in approved containers
- Have a designated member of the team responsible for fire safety
- Safely dispose of cigarettes and combustibles
Fire Wardens and Training
What are fire wardens and how many are required?
All workplaces are required to have a designated fire marshal.
A fire marshal is a member of the team who has received training from an approved contractor to actively mitigate the risks of a fire in the workplace.
The number of fire marshals a workplace should have is dependent on the type of workplace, its topology and layout, number of floors and most importantly, number of employees.
There is no universal approach, but there is general guidance for employees to follow. Generally, there should be at least one fire marshal for every 50 employers for low-risk premises. However, medium-risk and high-risk properties should provide a fire marshal for every 20 or 15 employees.
Fire Training for All Employees
Employees should receive specialist fire safety training from approved contractors to ensure all members of the team are aware of the fire safe procedures in their workplace. Fire safety services, such as Melwood Facilities, provide specialist fire safety training which is tailored to the needs and requirements of organisations and properties.
The fire training provided should help employees understand the fire risks in their workplace, learn how to prevent fires and what to do should a fire occur.
Providing workforces with fire safety training helps members of the team spot potential risks to reduce the chance of a fire, provide increased safety for employees and reduces liability risk for employers.
Occupants of workplaces should know where fire extinguishers are and how to use them, know evacuation routes and how to respond should a fire alarm be triggered.
Implementing Fire Safety Measures in the Workplace
For employers, particularly employers looking after a new or unfamiliar property, it’s crucial a fire risk assessment is carried out to spot any fire hazards in the workplace, and assess the risks associated with any findings.
Additionally, employers should re-assess and re-do fire risk assessments and checks to continually uphold the standard of fire safety measures in the workplace.
Employers can also use the fire risk assessment to procure fire extinguishers, understand where they should be situated and crucially, ensure the correct type of fire extinguisher is available for the fire classification which poses the highest risk in the property.
Fire protection measures, such as fire alarm systems and fire suppression systems, should be properly installed and maintained, flammable substances removed or contained, and electrical equipment should be regularly tested to ensure it’s in a good condition.
