Office fire safety is important, regardless of whether you are using your office at the moment. Fire safety is a complex mix of many facets. These include fire alarm systems and fire extinguishers.
City Fire Protection will be discussing office fire safety this month. We’ll discuss who is responsible, common hazards, and how a fire risk assessment can help your business stay compliant and safe.
Who is responsible for Fire Safety in my Office?
Your office’s responsible person could be any of several people, depending on where they work. It is usually the employer, owner or occupier of the office. If you rent your space, it is important to coordinate with your landlord or building manager so that all aspects regarding fire safety are addressed.
This person is responsible for managing a variety of tasks within your office.
Did you know?
You could face a PS5,000 penalty for failure to comply with fire safety regulations, or a two-year sentence plus an unlimited fine for major violations.
Common Fire Safety Hazards in Office Spaces
Your office might be considered safe. Fire safety is often a matter of what you do not consider, or take as a given.
An example: Even though an office may be full of electrical equipment, it doesn’t take one piece of equipment to start a fire. It is important to inspect equipment for faults and make sure that lighting is not too close to flammable objects. Portable appliances can be tested for safety and identified as potentially dangerous items.
Is your office in a fight over the air conditioner? Some staff feel cold and turn to portable heaters. These heaters should be carefully considered as they can cause heat strokes if too close to trash bins or other enclosed spaces that lack ventilation.
You may find that people bring in their personal equipment as well as office equipment. These items may not have been CE-marked and may not have passed PAT testing. This could compromise the safety of your office.
Common hazards include not having adequately planned your evacuation routes. Although it might seem like people are well-informed, if there is no plan, serious consequences can occur. A safe and swift exit is essential to avoid any loss of life. These routes must be clear of any combustibles.
Another common danger in offices is the lack of fire exit signage and fire action notices. These signs can be used to help in the evacuation of buildings and direct staff and visitors to the right assembly point. Offices should also consider whether the equipment required to safely evacuate disabled people is available. This is mandated by the Equality Act 2010.
Even small things, such as tying a fire door open, can pose a danger in an office. You could be compromising compartmentalisation that prevents the fire from spreading and allows for evacuation plans to be put in place.
Fire Risk Assessments for Offices
A fire risk assessment is required for every office. A competent person should conduct your fire risk assessment. Office buildings are often complex and require experienced third-party assessors to ensure that they are done correctly. According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, a fire risk assessment must be performed regularly and kept current – especially if there have been any changes in the business or building.
City Fire Protection can assist you in carrying out a thorough fire risk assessment of your office. Please contact us to learn more.
The importance of proper Fire Safety Training for Office Staff
Proper fire safety training can help reduce the dangers to office spaces in terms of fire safety. City Fire Protection can assist with any type of fire safety training, including regular fire drills to make sure everyone knows the nearest escape route, or fire warden training so that your office has fire-safety experts on hand.
This training can not only reduce confusion, increase confidence, and save lives.
