Workplace fire safety

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By following these simple steps you can reduce the likelihood of adding to the statistics, but if fire does occur, keep the impact to the absolute minimum. Glen Sumber, senior fire consultant and Dean McGrail, director, WSP Fire, explain.

Fires in the workplace are all too common and have resulted in the loss to many businesses, both in the UAE and internationally.

Loss from a fire can be measured in physical injury to yourself, employees and anyone visiting or near the premises; in damage to the premises and its contents and financially through loss of business, reputation and on occasion through court action.

But statistics show that by taking some simple steps, the majority could be prevented from happening or at least reduce the consequences.

A relatively small fire, lasting no longer than the average lunch break could easily cause the type of injury and damage that may leave long term physical effects and the closure of a business. So what can facilities managers do to reduce the risk of fire and minimise losses?

There are a number of simple steps FMs can take to reduce the risk of fire occurring in the workplace and any subsequent effects on you, the employees and the business.

Instruction

Make sure all employees receive suitable fire training on a regular basis. The training should include:

1. A simple explanation of what fire is, how it occurs and the likely causes;

2. Fire reduction methods all employees can take;

3. The emergency plan - how you are notified of a fire in the office, what to do if you hear the alarm and how to contact the emergency services;

4. Basic fire fighting methods;

5. The escape routes out of the building and the location of the assembly point;

6. What to do after a fire has occurred, including any business recovery plans;

7. Specialist training where required, e.g. fire wardens and evacuation marshalling.

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