From Fire Doors to Extinguishers: the Importance of Fire Safety in the Workplace

In any building, fire safety is extremely important and should always be a top priority. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your workplace is a safe space that meets all of the required health and safety standards. Without the correct training or precautions in place, your workplace could be at risk of a fire - and you may not be prepared to deal with it.

Fires can be deadly and destroy property, which is why it is essential that you have the correct fire safety equipment at your place of work. No one can ever predict when a fire may break out, but taking the crucial steps to ensure that your employees are safe and sound in your building is important. Below, we take a look at the importance of fire safety in the workplace and the safety requirements needed to protect your employees and building.

Identifying potential fire hazards

A fire risk assessment must be carried out to ensure that all of the necessary steps are taken to protect your workplace from a fire. A fire risk assessment helps to identify what a workplace needs to do to prevent a fire and keep people safe. A fire safety assessment looks at the following:

●Emergency routes and exits

●Fire detection and warning systems

●Fire fighting equipment

●Removal or safe storage of dangerous substances

●An emergency fire evacuation plan

●Staff fire safety training

Carrying out a fire risk assessment allows you to identify the people at risk and put suitable fire safety equipment in place. A fire risk assessment should be carried out by the person responsible for fire safety with the help of fire safety risk assessment guides. There are a number of different guides which apply to each environment, so depending on your business, the correct guide must be followed.

Fire safety and evacuation plans

Every business must have a valid fire safety and evacuation plan detailing every element of the procedure to follow in the event of a fire. This plan should be available and accessible to all employees so that they know what to do should a fire break out. A valid fire safety plan will detail a safe meeting point away from the building for staff to meet, along with the location of emergency doors, emergency exits, clear passageways to escape routes and emergency lighting (should the electricity need to be turned off).

All fire detection systems should be regularly tested to ensure that they are working correctly at all times. If a fire detection system is not working correctly, it could be the difference between life and death which is why it is absolutely essential that all alarms and systems are tested regularly. It’s also essential that each employee is trained and informed about all the potential fire risks and hazards, and is made aware of the evacuation plan should a fire break out.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your employees are in safe hands. It’s important that members of staff feel comfortable and safe in their workplace, which is why they should always be aware of the steps you have taken to keep them safe. Creating a safety culture that highlights and promotes the importance of fire safety will give your employees peace of mind that they’re in safe hands.

Implementing fire safety in the workplace

While every business and workplace is different, there are some key pieces of fire safety equipment that should be in every workplace - from factories and warehouses to offices. The following pieces of equipment should feature in every workplace:

Fire extinguishers

There should be at least one fire extinguisher in every workplace. There are a number of different fire extinguishers and the size of your premises coupled with the type of fire risks in your workplace will determine which one(s) you should have.

A carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguisher is ideal for all electrical risks, whereas a foam fire extinguisher is a good solution for workplaces that have multiple types of fire risks. A wet chemical extinguisher cools burning oils and reduces reignition of flames while a water fire extinguisher is, again, suitable for workplaces that have a range of different fire risks. Powder fire extinguishers can tackle most fires that involve paper, wood, electrics and flammable liquids.

Fire exit signs

It is essential that clear and visible fire exit signs are in your workplace to guide your employees to the correct exit in the event of a fire. All exit hanging signs should have long life LEDs for maximum durability.

Fire alarm systems

As previously mentioned, modern and functioning fire alarm systems are absolutely essential in the workplace. Fire alarm systems should be tested weekly to ensure that they are in top condition and working correctly, whether they are battery powered or connected to the main power.

Emergency lighting

When a fire breaks out, there is a chance that the main power supply may cut out. It’s essential that you have emergency lighting so that your employees can exit the building safely in the event of a fire that cuts out the electricity in the workplace.

Fire blankets

The kitchen area in your workplace should be equipped with fire blankets in case a fire breaks out. A fire blanket can be used to smother flames. They are available in a range of different sizes, so you can choose a suitably sized fire blanket for the kitchen area in your workplace.

Fire doors

Fire doors are an essential part of safety protocol in the workplace. Fire doors protect escape routes on stairs and corridors and slow the spread of a fire, keeping it contained in one room and separating your employees from fire hazards. A fire door can provide your employees with valuable time to safely exit the building and follow the fire safety plan that your business has in place, as well as allow firefighters to extinguish the fire as safely as possible. Fire doors should always be closed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke and need to have a sign that clearly says ‘fire door, keep shut’.

It’s essential that you regularly check and inspect your fire doors to ensure that they are up to standard. There should be a label on top of the door to show that it’s a certified door - if you can’t see a label, it may need replacing. The gaps around a fire door should be less than 4mm, and you should keep an eye out for damaged or missing seals to ensure that the fire door is as safe as possible. It’s also essential that the door can close fully to ensure that it completely contains the fire and reduces the spread of fire.

Thoroughbred Industrial Doors: your reliable garage door company for commercial doors

At Thoroughbred Industrial Doors, we understand the importance of fire safety in the workplace. It’s extremely important for the safety of your employees that you install fire doors to restrict the spread of flames and smoke. We have fire doors available in a range of different materials - from timber to aluminium and steel - and can produce custom-made fire resistant doors so that the tight fit maximises your fire resistance.