This fire safety risk assessment can be broken down into 5 sections:
1) Identify potential fire hazards
2) Investigate who would be in danger if a fire broke out
3) Evaluate the potential risks and hazards in the office and examine what can be done to limit these issues from being a problem.
4) Create a fire safety document detailing the actions taken ? let your employees know of your findings.
5) Keep the fire safety risk assessment under review and revise as necessary.
So what kind of things should you be on the look out for when you fill out your business? fire risk assessment form? The most likely cause of fire in the office is of course the abundance of electrical equipment the modern workspace is equipped with. All electrical equipment should be tested annually, and extension cords should not be a full time solution. Likewise, make sure not to overload power sockets. If you don't have enough outlets for all the electricals, you should move onto a bigger a place rather than jeopardizing the safety of your current workspace. It's also important to warn staff of the risks involved with the electricals, so make this part of your fire safety documents.
While you're explaining that to the members of staff, it's a good idea to make them aware of the procedures in case of fire, and maybe plan one or two drills to make sure their fire safety is ensured. Indeed, all new members of staff should be given an outline of the procedures as part of their induction. Things like fire escapes, corridors and routes may seem obvious, but it's a situation of not being possible to be too careful.
If your office (or office block) has a full kitchen and dining area attached, then the likelihood of a fire is a lot higher. If food is left cooking unattended, the risks involved are greater still. The whole environment can be made a lot safer if you ensure that there is someone present in the kitchen at all times ? or at the very least when someone is using the available facilities.
Store rooms may seem an unlikely location to be considered on the fire risk assessment form, but you could be surprised. With photo copying equipment and stationary potentially stored alongside potentially flammable liquids. Keeping the area neat and tidy will reduce the risk of fire considerably. Tidiness is actually something which should be considered throughout the office in relation to fire safety ? if you keep things neat, and clear then there will be less fuel for flames to spread easily, should the worst happen.
Keeping the place tidy will also make an evacuation all the easier and considerably less risky. If you have items in the corridors, stairwells and exits, then the chances of slips, falls and injury are greatly lessened should there be a need for a rapid getaway.
It's hugely important to keep a list of emergency numbers nearby. Sure, everyone knows 999, but getting in contact with staff members who are missing could save a life. Staff should also have a good knowledge of where all the fire extinguishers and alarm points are. It goes without saying, but heavy fire-doors should never be wedged open, no matter how inconvenient it may be ? they can't do their job if they're being permanently held open.
The majority of offices have the same kinds of fire risks associated with them, and unless you work in an exceptionally dangerous environment, your fire risk assessment form will need to encompass the sort of thing covered here. Use this and your own common sense, and you should have your fire safety documents sorted, and the satisfaction of knowing you're prepared against the worst.
While insurance may be able to cover the costs of a fire it is not always the case that a business will be able to recover. Estimates currently reckon that around eighty percent of businesses who experience a major blaze fail to recover from the event through loss of trade to competitors and the financial costs of loss of stock and personnel. However it is not just the financial effects of a fire that should be considered, the human element should always be a consideration, undoubtedly no business manager wants the death of a staff member on their conscience. This is why it is vitally important to undergo a regular risk assessment for the business premises; not only is this a moral obligation but a legal one as well.
Many companies hold supplies and stock on site making a fire even more damaging to operations. One of the major reasons for the loss of profits after fire is that unless it is possible to continue operations from a secondary site, relationships that have been built up with customers are often lost, meaning that the loss in trade can never be regained. Undertaking a risk assessment of the premises will reduce the chances of fire; it will not only secure the safety of your staff members but will also help protect the business' financial position. In addition a regular fire risk assessment will ensure legal regulations concerned with health and safety are effectively met.
The process of the risk assessment is relatively straightforward. Firstly the assessor will recognise and note any sources of ignition on the premises. Additionally the assessor should also look at the amount of combustible material on the premises and its proximity to ignition sources. Combustible materials can be deemed as anything to office supplies to soft furnishings and chemicals. The ultimate purpose of the assessment is to recognise how these materials can be placed and stored in a way that will reduce the chances of a fire starting.
The risk assessment should also recognise the hazards present in a workplace and ways in which they can be minimised. It is not always possible to completely remove hazards but the report should be able to advise on the best ways to minimise them whilst also giving advice on how to deal with instances where hazards are a potential problem. This can be done by drawing up safer working methods that actively work towards reducing the chance of a fire. This part of the assessment can take a few days and even a week; this is because the assessor must follow a detailed approach, understanding completely how operations are carried out in the business.
The assessor will also want to evaluate the workers who are on the premises on a day to day basis. This will incorporate their level of training and knowledge in terms of fire safety procedures. This part of the assessment will also look at the number of people on the premises throughout the day and night and will give recommendations on how to reduce the risk caused by these people.
The result of the assessment will be the production of safety procedures and further training for staff members. It will most probably give recommendations on which evacuation routes will be most suitable and the correct locations for fire extinguishers. This action plan should be adhered to for the law to be satisfied and the protection of the business assured. While fire can break out almost anywhere it is through a regular assessment of procedures and operations that the chances of a blaze igniting can be reduced, protecting human life and the company itself.
Both Iain Mackintosh & Thomas Pretty are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Iain Mackintosh has sinced written about articles on various topics from SEO Articles, Other Business and Business Loans. Iain Mackintosh is the managing director of Simply-Docs. The firm provides over 1100 legal documents and small business templates covering all aspects of business from holiday entitlement to. Iain Mackintosh's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Thomas Pretty has sinced written about articles on various topics from Formula One, Debts Loans and Interior Design. Regulatory compliance expert Thomas Pretty looks at the legal necessity for a regular and how the process can help protect business operations an. Thomas Pretty's top article generates over 1500000 views. to your Favourites.