Fire Prevention in the office: Tips for Keeping Your Workplace Safe

When it comes to looking after your employees and fellow colleagues, fire safety is a legal requirement that all companies are required to adhere to. After all, a workplace where health and safety is positioned as part of wider employee well-being not only leads to greater productivity but gives your employees that important sense they are valued and cared for. And this is even more important in places where your building is shared by members of the public, which is why in this blog post we’re going to take a look at our top tips on how you can keep your workplace fire safe..

Hopefully, in your place of work you're displaying the statutory Health & Safety at work poster which is a requirement for all employers to show, to demonstrate their understanding and commitment to employee safety. It’s crucial that, as part of your wider responsibilities, you not only have a fire warden and conduct regular fire evacuation tests, but you're educating all your staff on the importance of fire safety.

At Vulcan we empower people to take responsibility for every possible fire eventuality, from our comprehensive course portfolio to our expert advice we ensure you feel prepared in the event of a fire. So, let’s take a closer look at how you can make your organisation a safer one:

• Shut the door - The summer months can be hot and humid. As many workplaces do not have adequate ventilation or air conditioning installed, staff may attempt to cool a building down by propping or leaving open fire safety doors. However, we actively discourage this as, in the event of a fire, the fire safety door cannot perform its intended job by containing the flames, enabling it to spread at a more rapid pace.

• Declutter - Combustible materials such as books and paper increase the chances of a fire spreading quicker than anticipated, therefore cluttered areas can pose a significant fire hazard. Additionally, they can block fire door exits or pose an obstacle for escape routes. By ensuring the office is clutter free and fire routes are unobstructed, you are creating a work environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and safe for rapid evacuation.
• Safe storage - If you have chemicals or hazardous substances within your building, it’s crucial to make sure they are stored in a dry, secure place with adequate ventilation.
• Wires away - Ensure any cables or electrical wires are tucked away so they don’t pose a trip hazard. Additionally, any lights should always be switched off at the end of the day.
• Heating off - if your workplace can get a little chilly and you need to reach for a portable heater, make sure it’s switched off at the end of the day and not left on overnight as it can overheat, resulting in a possible fire.
• Maintenance - schedule regular maintenance for all of your fire safety equipment. For instance, it’s important to check that smoke alarms are functioning and batteries replaced, that fire extinguishers are still in date and to ensure fire safety doors are in good condition. Fire doors that have been damaged can render them ineffective, which can lead to devastating consequences.
  

Our fire safety courses

Our fire safety courses equip delegates with the skills and theoretical knowledge to confidently manage fire safety within the workplace and to know what to do should a fire occur. Preparation is everything. Panic gets you nowhere. By working closely with a range of organisations, all of our fire safety courses are accredited or approved by the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM).

So, if you’re ready to take the next step in your fire safety journey all of our upcoming course dates can be found here, or if you require more information please get in touch with our friendly team on 01925 211488 and we’ll be happy to help.