E-Books: Fire Safety Equipment Guidelines

Two guidelines To Fire & Safety including 1- Fire safety equipment and signs guidelines 2- Rosenbauer Fires and safety equipment Guidline

Table of Contents

The risk of fire is always a major worry for workplaces due to risks of their premises being damaged or even destroyed, and events such as Bonfire Night and unforeseen events such as the 2011 riots keep the Fire Brigade on its toes.

Workplace fire regulations can be confusing, and since the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into force, the onus is on the employer to ensure that the correct fire safety plans are put into place. Fire and Rescue Authorities are the principal enforcers and have a statutory duty to enforce the requirements of the legislation.

There are several areas that can be missed during a risk assessment which can leave companies vulnerable. In many cases, the damage could be caused by problems in neighboring premises, something many organizations fail to consider in their risk assessments.

Even though there are recommended quantities and types of equipment to be used, it is not always suitable for every business. Usually, one water-based extinguisher is required for each 200m² of floor space, with a minimum of one extinguisher per floor. However, in large or more complex premises, and depending on individual risks such as large amounts of electrical equipment or hazardous chemicals, a greater number or wider range of extinguishers could be necessary and some premises such as kitchens, may also require hose reels and fire blankets.

According to the UK’s fire safety industry, 80% of workplace fires are put out using portable fire extinguishers. However, it may be worth considering going above and beyond providing basic water-based extinguishers, because they can leave lasting water damage once a fire has been extinguished and they are only really suitable for fires involving paper and wood. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are worthwhile in areas with a large number of electrical items or flammable liquids, and for flammable gases only, powder extinguishers can be used.

The British Standard Code of Practice BS 5306-3:2009 recommends that all fire extinguishers are serviced at least once a year by competent persons, i.e. a qualified technician or an employee who has undergone training, and every five years they need to be recharged and refilled or alternatively replaced. CO2 extinguishers cannot be recharged and therefore have to be replaced every 5 years. This has led to many organizations not only providing cycle storage facilities but also investing in changing rooms, shower areas, and lockers so anyone arriving at work on two wheels can still properly prepare for the day ahead.