What is fire safety and why is it important?
A definition of fire safety
Fire safety refers to the procedures and infrastructures implemented to reduce the risk of fire and to limit its spread should it occur. As such, fire safety encompasses both actions to be taken and the use of construction materials and equipment. The objective is to reduce the risks for employees and anyone else accessing the premises. A “responsible person” (see below) is responsible for assigning fire prevention tasks and actions necessary in case a fire breaks out. Fire safety is highly regulated and the checklist that highlights all roles and responsibilities is essential. The rules and legislation on this topic should be clearly communicated to all employees. It ensures the wellbeing of all and minimises the risks to the building and its people.
Fire safety encompasses fire-resistant building materials, safe and secure work practices, safety training, prevention initiatives, and much more. Below is a snapshot of initiatives that are commonly referenced in public fire-safety guidance:
- Reviewing the need for a fire safety assessment
- Considering how ignition sources and flammable materials are stored
- Exploring ways to reduce the likelihood of accidental fires
- Maintaining general housekeeping practices
Later in this article, we go into more detail on these initiatives and ways to protect people.
The importance of fire safety in the workplace
In a building, fire safety is of high importance. It ensures the protection of the building and the people who are in it. It reduces the risks of accidents and damage caused by fire. Public guidance explains that many workplaces aim to have clear fire-safety arrangements, and these are often communicated to employees.
We highlight below some critical reasons why fire safety is essential:
- It reduces the risk of accidents and injuries that involve employees and anyone else accessing the premises
- It reduces the risk of damage to the building
- It instates customer’s trust
- It protects against fines
- It protects jobs that might be lost in case of extensive building damage
- It protects the entire business that might be at risk in case of extensive damage
Fire safety shouldn’t be overlooked. Engaging staff on this topic and making them conscious of the risks is essential. These discussions will foster awareness on fire hazards and reduce risks. In addition to educating employees, creating a fire prevention plan that highlights roles and responsibilities of each employee is vital. It will further reduce the risks of fire in the workplace. These actions are a small price to pay compared to the risks and costs associated with fire.
Who is responsible for fire safety in the workplace?
This section not only covers who is responsible but what the responsibilities are when it comes to fire safety in the workplace.
Who is responsible?
In the working environment, the individual responsible for fire safety is the person who is in charge of the premises. Therefore, employers, building owners, building occupiers, landlords, building managers, facilities managers and office managers could all be responsible for fire safety. From a regulation perspective, the person responsible is referred to as just that: the “responsible person”. Responsibilities might be shared between several individuals, particularly when premises are shared.
Note, fire safety rules vary for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Check the government website for more information.
What are the responsibilities?
The responsible person or persons should follow the government guidance to ensure they implement all the necessary actions:
- reviewing fire-risk information periodically
- sharing fire-safety information with employees
- considering internal fire-safety measures
- preparing for potential emergencies
- offering relevant staff training
Fire safety in the workplace legislation
The section below highlights all you need to know in terms of legislation and actions necessary to comply with it. It provides more details on the fire risk assessment, the fire safety and evacuation plan, fire safety equipment and training, and even enforcement, appeals and penalties.
The fire risk assessment
Public guidance explains that workplaces typically have a fire-risk assessment in place and that many organisations review this periodically. This assessment should also be reviewed on a regular basis. The objective of the assessment is to identify what needs to be done in order to prevent fire in the premises and to keep employees safe.
Public sources describe fire-risk assessments as covering areas such as identifying potential hazards, considering who may be affected, reviewing possible mitigations, documenting findings, preparing emergency arrangements, and offering staff fire-safety information.
Public guidance outlines common elements that organisations often consider when reviewing fire-risk information, such as emergency exits, alarms, detection systems, fire-fighting equipment, storage arrangements for flammable materials and arrangements for staff who may need additional support. The above list is referred to as the fire risk assessment chart.
The fire safety and evacuation plan
Public sources describe fire-safety and evacuation planning as typically addressing areas such as escape routes, signage, lighting, staff information, assembly-point arrangements and support for individuals with mobility needs.
Fire safety equipment, drills and training actions
Below, we outline examples of equipment and training actions that public guidance commonly highlights in discussions of workplace fire-safety arrangements.
Equipment for fighting fires
The equipment needed will depend on the type of business and the building in which it is located. The equipment should be clearly labelled and tested on a regular basis. Employees should also be trained on how to use it.
Testing and maintenance
Regular testing includes fire alarm system maintenance and testing, recording any potential defect and addressing these, ensuring all exits can be opened easily and conducting fire drills and training.
New staff on-boarding and training
New employees should be trained on the procedures in place and fire risks.
Conducting drills
Public sources note that many organisations run periodic fire drills and record the outcomes to support planning and staff awareness.
Enforcement, appeals and penalties
Visits from local authorities
When local fire and rescue authorities visit premises, they typically review fire-safety arrangements and may provide feedback or recommendations. Public sources also describe circumstances in which authorities can take formal action, such as issuing notices or restrictions, and official guidance explains these processes in more detail.
Notice for alterations
If the premises are at high safety risk, the employer may receive an alteration notice.
Notice of enforcement
Employers may also get an enforcement notice if the authorities find that there are some serious risks and that these are not managed well. The notice will say that there are some improvements needed.
Prohibition notice
When the fire authority visits the premises, if they identify a significant fire risk, they may issue a prohibition notice. As a result, the building might be prohibited or have restricted areas.
Possible appeals
Public information explains that there are processes for questioning or responding to decisions made by fire-safety authorities, and official government sources outline how these processes work.
This article demonstrates that fire safety is essential. The potential losses that may result from fire incidents can be devastating for the business and its people. Having the appropriate fire safety measures in place, implementing a fire prevention plan and assigning responsible persons are all essential steps to protect from these risks.
For more content on safety at work, check our articles below:
