What to do in the Event of a Fire at Work: Giving Your Staff the Information They Need

Having a fire safety action plan in place is essential, and regular practice of said plan may alleviate a lot of the stress regarding fire incidents in the workplace, but neither will allow you to fully understand the stress you may face if a fire does break out. Fires are scary and can cause serious harm and even death if not dealt with properly, so conducting yourself properly and acting responsibly during an emergency are essential. 

Read our guide on what actions you should take if you or someone else in your workplace discovers a fire.

Alert the Building

As soon as you discover a fire you should immediately activate the fire alarm by pressing the nearest fire alarm button. These can usually be found on walls near doors, communal areas and all over the building, and are bright red. You may have to break the safety glass on the front of them using your hand or an implement. This will activate the loud building-wide alarm. Whether you have activated or heard this alarm, ensure that everyone else around you is aware of what is going on and proceed to the designated fire exits.

Evacuate the Premises

The fire marshals should ensure that the fire exits are clear and accessible, and you should use these. Head to the nearest exit promptly and remain calm - it can be very distressing when there is a fire emergency, but panicking can cause you to make mistakes and lead to further accidents that may put you or others in more danger. If you are distressed, breathe deeply (though ensure it is clean air before you do so) and try to think logically about what steps you need to follow. Look around for signs or ask for help if you are unsure. If you are alone, try to contact one of the fire marshals or a coworker and ask for assistance. Notifying people where you are might help the firefighters to reach you if you become lost or trapped.

Ignore your personal belongings and ensure that any dangerous machinery is turned off and moved out of the way, or signposted so the firefighters or other evacuees will not be injured by it. 

Call the Emergency Services

Call the emergency number - 999 - and request the fire service. Make sure you call them when you are clear of danger or are exiting the building - the fire alarm may already have alerted the fire service and you should not put yourself at risk to call 999. Provide the operator with your building’s name, full address and any other useful information that might help them to locate you, the fire or anyone that might be trapped in the building.

Assemble at the Designated Meeting Point

During your fire drills and training, you should have been made aware of your designated meeting point. This is important because the fire marshals will need to register you so that they know you are not still in the building. Make sure you get included in the headcount. If you can not get to the meeting point, your top priority should be to get away from the building, and then consider asking any passersby if they have seen a large group of people gathering.

Do not, under any circumstances, re-enter the building.

What to do if you Become Trapped in the Building

Unfortunately, it is a possibility that you or others may become trapped in the building. This can happen if fires occur or spread to key exits or pathways. The most important thing you must do is to avoid panicking - it will stop you from being able to think clearly and, if you are trapped in a room with limited access to breathable air, may cause you to use more oxygen. 

Do not attempt to exit the building through the window if you are higher than the first floor. If you are on the first floor, you should throw anything down that may soften your landing, such as clothes or cushions, and then lower yourself out of the window until you are hanging from arms length before you drop. You should only attempt this if the ground outside is even or unobstructed, or you may cause injury to yourself. Also, make sure you remove any unsuitable footwear, like high-heels. You should never jump from the window, simply lower yourself and drop.

If you are higher up than the first floor, you should call 999. This is important to do even if you think someone else may have already done so, as you will need to inform the firefighters where in the building you are so they can rescue you. While waiting, block any gaps under the door with towels or clothing to limit the amount of smoke that can enter the room. 

If you catch fire, stop, drop and roll. Do not flap about or fan the flames as this may only make them larger. Rolling on the floor will starve the flames of oxygen and may stop them from burning. This is more effective than attempting to remove your clothes.

SafetyBuyer can Help

Outfitting your workplace with the correct equipment is not only necessary by law, but may save lives. Shop at SafetyBuyer for professional, high-spec equipment that will not let you down. Visit our online store today, or call us on 0800 043 0161 to speak to one of our sales experts who can guide you through what you may need to purchase.