Essential Fire Safety Equipment
Without proper planning, the event of a fire in the workplace can present a significant risk to a business and its employees. A lack of escape routes, information, and safety equipment could lead to injury or even death, not to mention devastating damage to the building and its contents.
As one of the leading suppliers of fire safety equipment, the expert team here at Cheshire Fire have compiled a list of must-have equipment in your workplace to protect everyone in the eventuality of a fire.
Fire Alarms
Fire alarms are arguably the most essential piece of fire safety equipment an office will require. This is because they are responsible for alerting everyone in a building of a fire, allowing all persons to evacuate the building safely and in sufficient time. It is required by the Fire Alarm Regulations BS5839 that businesses test the functionality of fire alarms regularly.
Fire Extinguishers
Extinguishers should be placed close to any potential fire hazards, with easily visible access. Employers should ensure that extinguishers are suitable for use and any that have been discharged already should be replaced immediately. Cheshire Fire are available for extinguisher servicing and maintenance work, where our skilled in-house engineers ensure your extinguishers adhere to required fire standards and are placed in appropriate areas.
Finally, ensure that you have the correct extinguishers for the environment you work in – remember that a water extinguisher could prove to escalate an electrical fire rather than stop it, so research what would be best for your workplace – our team can advise on what equipment you may need and where.
Fire Extinguisher Cabinets
It is important to keep your fire safety equipment secure to protect it from damage or vandalism. Extinguisher cabinets are designed to keep your equipment safe, as well as providing a container in which to lock away any potentially hazardous materials that present a fire risk. Cabinets come in a range of designs – from wall mounted to floor mounted – and can be illuminated in the event of a fire for easy access.
Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting is essential for a fully comprehensive fire safety system. Should primary lighting fail in the event of a fire, emergency lighting systems illuminate fire escapes and evacuation routes, ensuring a consistently secure and safe exit. This is an essential item to guard against the consequences of fire due to the fact that smoke often impairs vision, whilst there is a chance a fire can cause power outages, so a fail-safe lighting system must be in place for people leaving a building.
First Aid Kit
First aid kits are legally required to be in every workplace, and must be easily accessible with its contents regularly checked and updated. In the case of a fire, the first aid kit will contain medical supplies to treat any minor wounds.
Plan Evacuation Routes
Finally, it is paramount that your workplace has a set evacuation route should a fire break out. It is recommended that you test fire alarms and stage evacuation drills to ensure all employees understand what procedures to follow in the case of a real fire.
Here at Cheshire Fire, we specialise in thorough risk assessments to ensure your premises meet government fire safety regulations. Our highly-trained team of engineers are on-hand to install and maintain a range of essential fire safety equipment directly to your business, and even provide fire safety training so that your staff know how to operate equipment safely.
Get in touch with our team at Cheshire Fire today for more information on how we can supply your workplace with the essential fire safety equipment you need.