Fire Safety Equipment

All business should have fire safety equipment. All employers and business owners are required to service and install quality fire fighting equipment, especially fire extinguishers, to the highest recognised standards.

The manufacturers instructions will tell you what you need to do to keep your extinguisher in proper working order. The fire extinguisher should be properly serviced once a year. You should use a company registered by the British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE). When an extinguisher has been used, even if only partially, it must be recharged according to the manufacturers instructions. BAFE is a Government recognised national organisation.

Having fire safety equipment is necessary for prevention of fires spreading and causing injury to people and damage to property. If accidents do happen it is also essential to stock first aid kits for any minor injuries. As part of business safety it is necessary for members of staff to be trained in first aid. It is also good working practice to train or at least make staff aware of first aid equipment and necessary procedures. Use a first aid guide to set out what equipment you may need. There are many commercial first aid kits available and all will have a guide or instructions about what is best to stock.

It is vital that you look at your current fire safety arrangements, consider emergency routes and exits, are there clear routes that lead directly to safety? Can employees evacuate safely and quickly? Have you the appropriate signs and are emergency routes adequately lit. Take the time to review your current arrangements and consider taking additional measures to prevent and limit fire damage. What sort of fire detection is in place? Is firefighting equipment easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs? Are there means for giving warning of fire? Are there any nominated employees for fire fighting duties or procedures? It's important that fire routine training is given.

With all fire safety equipment maintenance is required, so testing on a regular basis with suitable maintenance records is essential.

Below is a typical fire risk assessment:

• Has a Fire Risk Assessment been done?
• Has an emergency procedure or plan been prepared?
• Are there appropriate procedures for serious and imminent danger?
• Have the employees been provided with relevant information?
• Are contractors (other workers on site) given adequate information?
• Is training given to all employees and has responsibility clearly been defined?
• Is flammable waste and rubbish removed to a place of safety?
• Is the workplace suitably secured against unauthorised entry?
• Are procedures in place for contacting the emergency services?
• Are procedures in place for meeting, briefing and guiding the emergency services about hazards?

See also:

• first aid supplies
• computer monitor safety
• work safety signs
• accident reports
• wristrest

Disclaimer: Business Health & Safety UK have provided this advice on the basis that the content and advice contained within these documents is to the best of our knowledge accurate at the time of publication. The Business Safety Company does not accept any liability for the accuracy of the information provided in the above' and website pages.