8 Tips for Fire Safety in the Workplace

Businesses failing to follow fire safety regulations risk the safety of their premises and employees, a fine and up to 2 years in prison.

Every quarter, the Home Office publishes statistics relating to fires, fire-related fatalities, fire-related casualties, false alarms and non-fire incidents attended.

Recent UK fire statistics

There was a 7.8% increase in fire incidents compared with the previous year. This increase has been driven by secondary fires and outdoor primary fires following the UK's hot, dry summer in 2022.

• Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) attended over 622,173 incidents in England alone, 29% of which were fires, 39% were fire false alarms and 32% were non-fire incidents
• There were 6,155 non-fatal casualties, a 2.5% decrease compared to the previous year
• There were 259 fire-related fatalities in England for 22/23

Fire safety in the workplace

In the UK, local fire and rescue authorities visit premises to conduct a fire risk assessment and check that fire prevention measures are appropriate.

If they are not, the consequences can range from an informal notice to prohibition, meaning that your business would have to close!

Each workplace must have one or more designated 'responsible person', who must undertake regular fire-risk assessments. They can pass this task to another competent person but remain responsible, in law, for meeting the order.

Responsibilities of the 'Responsible Person'

• Carrying out regular fire risk assessments
• Informing staff or their representatives about any risks identified
• Putting in place and maintaining appropriate fire safety measures
• Planning for emergencies
• Providing staff information, fire safety instruction and training
  
  

How to audit your fire safety processes

1. Appoint at least one responsible person

Like any other key role, it is best to ensure that several people are at least familiar with the responsibilities of your 'responsible person'. In that way, if your 'responsible person' is taken ill, on holiday or leaves the company, you are not left with a skill and information gap.

2. Create a fire-risk assessment process

The 'Responsible Person' must regularly conduct fire risk assessments.

As they can delegate some tasks, it is important to document each task and centrally record the results and any resulting actions.

Fire risk assessment tasks

• Identify fire hazards
• Identify people at risk
• Evaluate, remove or reduce, and protect from risk
• Record, plan, inform, instruct and train
• Regularly review your fire risk assessment

3. Appoint Fire Marshals

Fire Marshals have an important role in evacuating the building and containing and tackling small blazes. But their main role is in preventing fires.

Alongside your 'Responsible Person', your Fire Marshals can help deliver the recommendations in your Fire Risk Assessment.

If you are wondering how many Fire Marshals you need, it's easy to find out using the St. Johns Ambulance free calculator.

Key responsibilities of fire marshalls

1. Checking your emergency exits.
2. Checking your fire extinguishers.
3. Checking your fire doors weekly.
4. Checking your 'Break Glass Call Points'.
5. Checking your emergency lighting every month.
6. Testing your fire alarm weekly.
7. Checking your fire safety signs.
8. Checking your general housekeeping.
9. Checking your smoking areas.
10. Controlling your hazardous materials.
11. Carrying out fire safety inductions for new staff.
12. Making sure electrical devices are PAT tested.
13. Organising fire drills at least annually.
14. Managing all paperwork and the logbook.
15. Owning your fire risk assessment.
16. Ensure all employees receive fire safety training

4. Ensure all employees receive fire safety training

As mentioned above, this is one of the key tasks for your Fire Marshalls. Fire safety awareness is not just a legal obligation; it prevents injuries and saves lives.

Ensure that all your staff complete training on how to work safely.

Any staff members who need extra assistance when leaving the building in an emergency should have a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP).

Situations where you may need a PEEP:

• Staff with mobility, sight, hearing and/or cognitive impairments
• Staff whose medical condition means they need assistance to evacuate safely.

And remember that visitors may need extra help during an evacuation.

5. Prominently display fire safety signage

If an employee spots a fire, it is vital that they can quickly and easily sound the fire alarm to warn others. Equally, to ensure safe evacuations and staff need to be aware of their nearest exit. And finally, by signposting designated areas, you can mitigate fire risks.

There are four main applications of fire safety signs in the UK:

• Fire Action Notice - Explaining what to do in case of fire
• Signs marking fire exit routes, doors and assembly points
• Signs showing the location of fire-fighting equipment such as extinguishers
• Warning and prohibition signs such as 'Danger' or 'No Smoking'

6. Communicate fire drill protocols

Ensure your staff understand that fire drills are not an excuse to skip work or take a break. They are a source of important information that may save their lives.

Everyone needs to know their fire marshall and their designated assembly point. Employees must stay at their assembly point until the roll call is completed. Otherwise, fire marshals and the fire brigade may think they are still inside the building.

7. Mitigate your fire risks

Follow good housekeeping practices (such as discarding waste promptly, keeping corridors clear, etc.) to reduce fire risk.

Try and replace highly flammable materials with less combustible alternatives. Introduce a safe smoking policy with designated areas.

8. Create clear channels for reporting fire safety issues

Create a simple way for employees to report fire safety issues such as missing fire extinguishers, blocked exits or faulty alarms. It could be as simple as an email address listed on any signage.

Want to learn more about Health & Safety?

We’ve created a comprehensive Health & Safety roadmap to help you navigate the compliance landscape, supported by e-learning in our Compliance Essentials Library.