Fire presents significant risk to businesses and can kill or seriously injure employees or visitors as well as damage or destroy buildings, equipment, and stock. Media reports indicate that between 2019 and 2021, Nigeria experienced severe fire incidents, leading to 79 deaths out of 68 fires recorded in 18 months. Thirty-one of these were market fires and the losses are still being counted. with the main cause being faulty appliances and wire sparks.
Fires are often caused by carelessness, lack of knowledge and faulty equipment/appliances, and in most cases could be prevented. It’s for this reason that businesses should put in place systems and measures to prevent or reduce the risk of fire, as well as procedures and fire safety equipment for real fires.
Every Business Needs a fire safety plan that details the mode of operations when there is a fire outbreak. Employees need health and fire safety training from time to time to reenforce Fire Safety Plans and make sure New and Old Staff Understand the Importance of fire safety plans and practice fire safety drills. A fire safety plan can be defined a formal document that contains details of the procedures that should be followed in case there is a fire. Ideally, the fire safety plan should suit the resources of a given building. A fire safety plan does not just involve having an alarm and fire extinguishers, it also includes preparations that could save lives in the company.
How does fire start?
Fires need three components to start:
- a source of ignition, heaters, lighting, naked flames, electrical equipment, and cigarettes.
- a source of fuel, wood, paper, plastic, rubber, foam, loose packaging materials, waste, and furniture.
- Oxygen
As an employer, you’re responsible for putting in place and maintaining appropriate fire safety measures. This includes making sure your workplace has suitable fire safety equipment. There’s a wide range of apparatus that you’ll need for your business including products to detect and warn you of an impending fire as well as equipment to put it out safely.
Fire Safety Equipment Your Business Needs:
Fire extinguishers
A fire extinguisher is an essential item for fire safety in your business. You should ensure that they are positioned on escape routes and near any high-risk locations. Depending on the kind of fire risks that are present in your workplace you will need to consider what type of fire extinguisher is most suitable. In most business environments various types of extinguishers will be needed.
Fire blankets
If your workplace includes a kitchen area, then a fire blanket may be needed. Not all fire extinguishers are equipped to deal with kitchen fires whereas a fire blanket can easily smother any flames should a fire occur.
Alarms
Fire alarms and smoke detectors can provide an early warning of a potential fire, allowing extra time to evacuate anyone on the premises and put out the fire before it becomes more dangerous.
Sprinklers
Sprinklers are a simple and effective solution to control or extinguish fires in the early stages. According to statistics, no person has lost their life to fire in the UK where sprinklers have been installed.
Exit signs
Fire exit signs can help guide anyone at the workplace to the safest route out of the building in case of an emergency. You should always ensure you indicate where the emergency exits are. These signs must be visible under all prevailing conditions (such as a power failure) which is why photoluminescent (glow in the dark) signs are often used.
Emergency lighting
In the event of a fire, there’s an increased risk that the main power supply in your workplace may cut out. Emergency lighting uses battery power and will serve as a suitable backup if your power fails during a fire and will ensure that anyone on the premises will still be able to visibly see and follow exit signs to find their way out of the building.
First aid kit
Should an accident occur during an emergency you’ll need a first aid kit onsite so a trained first aider can quickly treat any minor injuries. You’re also responsible for replacing any items that are expired or are used following an incident.
Logbook
A logbook will allow you to keep any information relevant to fire safety in your workplace. You can manage any vital information that will be useful in the event of a fire such as your business’s fire safety policy, fire equipment maintenance records, fire risk assessment, safety checklist, fire safety training records, as well as records relating to any incidents on the premise
Health and safety law poster
By law you need to display a health and safety law poster in clear sight in your workplace for your employees to view, it’s a good idea to place multiple posters in various locations throughout your business. It contains information regarding health and safety guidelines and responsibilities for staff and visitors under the Healthy and Safety at Work Act.
Finally, any fire safety equipment you use in your business needs to be properly installed, tested and maintained. you will also need to train your staff to use them if necessary.
At Green Safety Limited We Sell Quality Fire Safety Equipment we also carry out fire safety classes for your team to prepare them for when there is a fire outbreak.
Green Safety Limited can ensure your Business is fire ready and can check your building and equipment during a fire risk assessment. You can find out more on our website or contact us today. For the Refill and Maintenance of your fire Extinguisher Contact us Now.