What Fire Safety Measures are Legally Required for Your Workplace?

Fire hazards can come in many forms, and companies are required to look after their premises, employees and clients that may be in the building. Fire prevention and safety measures should be accessible and in abundance, allowing for the swift combatting of fire, or the safe evacuation of a building. Employers should ensure that everyone who may be affected is fully aware of what to do in case of a fire emergency, and that equipment and exits are properly labelled.

Who is Responsible for Fire Safety, and What For?

While it may seem obvious that employers are responsible for providing fire safety measures, many incidents happen in workplaces due to employer neglect. As well as it being the employer’s responsibility to keep their employees safe, it also falls on the building owner, landlord, and anyone else involved in the control of the premises to ensure that these measures are provided and maintained.

 If the employer rents a new workplace and finds that it does not have suitable fire safety measures, they should work with the landlord to make this happen. If the landlord neglects this responsibility, the employer should contact the local council to submit a complaint.

 Employees also have a responsibility to make sure that they can spread awareness of any issues. Employers should work with employees to designate fire safety warden roles (members of staff responsible for helping other employees exit the premises and keep track of attendance) to volunteers.

Required Workplace Fire Safety Measures

By law, every workplace must adhere to a checklist of fire safety measures. If a company does not meet these standards serious penalties can occur, including fines or even prison sentences if someone is injured in a fire.

Risk Assessments

The first thing that should be done before any premises can be properly equipped with fire safety measures is a comprehensive fire safety risk assessment. Employers and landlords should seek the advice of fire safety professionals to inspect and sign off the premises, as doing so themselves will not legally qualify the building as operable.

Professional risk assessments should be carried out every four years at a maximum, but it is recommended they are done more regularly if there are any changes to your workplace.

Equipment

Once a risk assessment has been completed and signed off, it will be clear what equipment is needed and where it should be located. Essential fire safety and preventative equipment includes: 

• Fire extinguishers for all types of fire (gas, electrical, CO2, etc)
• Fire blankets for extra protection, or where extinguishers are not appropriate
• Fire alarms
• Smoke detectors
• Fire and accident logbooks

The installation of smashable windows with safety glass and other tools like fire axes should also be provided where possible, despite not being necessary. All equipment should be in working order, with alternatives available should something go wrong.

Exits

As well as accessible front doors, additional exits should be available and should be clearly marked by signs and lights. For workplaces that are on upper floors, fire escapes in the form of dedicated staircases or safely smashable windows with easy access to the ground outside should be available. Everyone in the building, whether they work there or not, should be aware of where the fire exits are, or should be able to quickly and reliably locate them. Fire exits should also be unblocked at all times.

The installation of fire doors can significantly benefit a workplace by limiting the spread of fire and smoke due to their physical properties, automatic closing and easy opening. These can also be alarmed so that, if opened, the whole building will be made aware that there is a fire hazard. If fire doors are alarmed they should be clearly signposted, informing people in the workplace not to use them unless there is an emergency.

Fire Alarm Switches

As well as installing fire and smoke alarms, there should be easily accessible switches that people in the building can press in case of a fire. These should be dotted about regularly so that they can be accessed quickly, and located near to fire exits allowing for swift escape once pressed.

Fire alarms also have other useful functions, such as alerting the authorities or people within a building if there is another crisis that requires evacuation.

Cleanliness and Tidiness

It should not be understated that one of the biggest causes of fires in the workplace is a mess which could be flammable. In buildings where there may be sources of ignition, this is especially important to avoid, as accidents could be caused very easily. However, mess and clutter can also obstruct valuable exits, pathways or equipment, resulting in more difficult and time-consuming combatting of fire, which could be fatal.

Additionally, anything that could cause an issue if knocked over should be clearly labelled and kept in a location that minimises the chance of this happening.

Train and Educate Workers

As previously stated, employers should educate themselves and their employees on the correct procedures to follow should a fire start. This could be in the form of informative posters that detail where the exits are and how to use equipment, which may also help any visitors to the premises. There are professional training programs that can be sourced from both government organisations and private companies that may help to educate people on how to avoid and deal with fires. Handling such situations properly can reduce the chance of injury and fatality, and make the process more efficient.

 Fire drills should be performed often to familiarise workers with what they should do and where they should go in the event of a fire. If a fire does happen, workers should be proficient in evacuating the building.

Source Your Safety Equipment from the Right Place

Safety Buyer is dedicated to helping workplaces maintain fire safety by supplying the best essential and extra safety equipment. Our website features information about what to do in the case of a fire and how to reduce accidents at work, and our products are in line with UK standards.

If you are an employer, make sure your premises are safe for you and your employees, otherwise you may risk prosecution, or worse.