Implementing appropriate fire safety measures and adhering to legal responsibilities in commercial premises’ saves lives. As an employer you are the ‘responsible person’ when it comes to fire safety, this means there are measures you must take by law under the Fire Safety Order to keep your staff, and yourself, protected.
Duties Of The Responsible Person
As the ‘responsible person’ the responsibility falls on your shoulders to make sure fire safety standards are met, failure to do so could result in fines or imprisonment, you must:
Regularly carry out office fire risk assessments
This includes: checking fire detection systems (smoke and fire alarms), checking fire fighting equipment, identifying hazards, identifying at risk individuals, evaluating and reducing risks and recording your findings.
Inform staff and all appropriate people about any identified risks
implement and maintain fire safety measures to alleviate risks
Provide fire safety training for staff
Plan for emergencies
Planning For Emergencies
First and foremost you have a legal responsibility to have working fire warning devices such as fire alarms and fire fighting tools such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets so risks can be controlled, however if control isn’t an option you will need to have an evacuation plan in place.
Have a clear and clearly marked passageway to all escape routes that are as short and direct as possible
Have enough exits and routes for all people to escape
make sure emergency doors open easily and place emergency lighting where needed
train all employees to know and use escape routes and staff assembly points
The key to safety is prevention, here at 1st Ace Security we can help you prevent emergencies through our premium quality fire alarms and smoke detectors. Our systems match a range of requirements so you can have peace of mind that your staff is kept safe, for more information on our preventative fire measures get in touch today on 020 8290 5050 or online for expert advice.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks