Fire risk assessments typically reveal preventable hazards which could affect the people working there. Recognising the usual suspects can save lives and prevent tragedy for business owners and landlords.
Most Common Fire Hazards Identified During Assessments
Electrical Equipment and Wiring
One of the most common fire causes is faulty or overload electrical systems. Overloaded sockets, damaged cables, poorly maintained equipment and extension leads daisy-chained together present a serious fire risk. Preventive measures should include regular electrical testing and not overloading the circuits.
Combustible Materials Storage
One of the most common findings is improper storage of flammables. Cardboard boxes, paper, cleaning products and aerosols are all combustible so keeping them near to a heat source or electrical equipment can dramatically raise the risk of fires. Store these safely away from ignition sources and in suitable quantities, as well.
Closed Fire Doors and Means of Egress
Blocked fire exits are a dirty little secret nearly every establishment shares. Members of staff wedge boxes against emergency exits, obstructing escape routes that could have kept people safe. There must be continuously free escape routes at all times.
Poor Housekeeping
Combustible material such as accumulated rubbish, dust and debris. Fire risk assessments routinely identify kitchens with excessive grease, storage areas overflowing with clutter or refuse and inadequate management of waste. These risks can be quite significantly lowered by regular cleaning and proper waste management. For Fire Risk Assessment Bristol, contact https://keloscape.co.uk/areas-we-cover/fire-safety-consultancy-bristol/
Defective or Lack of Fire Safety Devices
Common problems encountered are out of date fire extinguishers, incapable smoke alarms, without emergency lighting and disrepair/gaps around fire doors. Fire safety equipment must be tested, maintained and replaced as and when required.
Cooking Equipment
Commercial kitchens present particular risks. Hazards that may occur include the cause of unattended cooking, lack of cleaning with extraction systems and over accumulation of grease, materials covering heat source near cookers which leads to fire.
Smoking Materials
However, despite smoking bans having been introduced into the majority of workplaces for more than a decade now, that has not stopped cigarette related fires from still happening! Cigarettes improperly discarded, no area with receptacles for smoking garbage, improper placement and proximity to combustible material continue to be unaddressed.
Heating Equipment
Heating devices left too close to curtains and furniture; badly-maintained boilers; or radiators covered by clothes made wet after washing – not such an unusual habit during our winter months.
Lack of Fire Safety Training
There is often a lack of awareness of how to respond to a real emergency. Insufficient training, ambiguous evacuation instructions and no fire drills mean that when catastrophe strikes the people fail to react properly.
Taking Action
Dealing with those promptly through the right channels, maintenance regime and training of your staff will turn that piece of paper you put on a shelf into really saving lives and property.