Every year, there are around 7,000 fires in workplaces around the UK. Yes, we’re your local fire extinguisher specialist, and the law is clear that premises all require appropriate and correctly sited appliances.
But actually, we’d rather you never need to use our products. That’s why fire prevention is everything. Fire extinguishers are there for the worst-case scenario.
Right Fire Extinguisher, Right Setting
To be absolutely clear on the right fire extinguisher for the right site and setting, check our website. This is not a one-size-fits-all thing and the wrong device could cost your business in money, time – or much, much worse.
For all non-domestic properties, fire extinguishers are a legal requirement. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states a minimum of two A-Class fire extinguishers, I.e. Water, plus special risk extinguishers, I.e., CO2, Wet Chemical etc., should be installed and commissioned on every floor of a building, unless the premises is very small I.e., below 50m2 – in these exceptions, one A-Class extinguisher, I.e. Water, plus special risk extinguishers I.e., CO2, Wet Chemical Etc. per floor may be acceptable – however, this would always be confirmed and verified within your valid, up-to-date, full and thorough Fire Risk Assessment.
At Francis Fire, the Cheshire Fire Extinguisher Company, we deliver expert fire safety installations.
This is no idle boast. Our director and founder, Wayne, was a Fire and Rescue Crew Manager for many years, dealing with 999 responses and fire emergency rescue, managing and training employees, and command and control. He knows more than anyone the life-or-death importance of fire prevention – and the catastrophic costs of neglecting it.
Fire: Prevent It
Fires in business premises and workplaces are usually preventable. Imagine, then, how shocking it is to see buildings and businesses damaged, even destroyed. Livelihoods and life’s works lost in smoke. Even worse when the people suffer. Fire causes serious injuries – even death. Prevention is everything. Ensuring you have the right equipment to tackle a fire is a safety net; a ‘just in case,’ a little like insurance. Which, incidentally, may also be invalid if the correct precautions, protocols, and equipment aren’t in place…
There are three components to start any fire:
- Something to ignite this may include a heater, lights, naked flames like cigarette lighters or candles, or faulty electrical equipment. Quite simply, anything that generates heat or a spark can be a source of ignition.
- Something to fuel the fire: anything that could burn – even slowly – is potential fuel for a fire. Wooden furniture or cheap fabric soft furnishings without the relevant fire retardants, paper or cardboard like printer paper or packaging products, books, dry foodstuffs – anything that could potentially burn.
- Oxygen. That’s it. Just oxygen and the above.
That really is all it could take for a workplace to go up in smoke. How many workplaces and businesses could be fires just waiting to happen? Fire Safety Training is essential, as are the right fire extinguishers. However, preventing fire in the first place must be a priority.
What Causes a Fire at Work?
Amongst the most common causes of fire in workplaces are:
- Damaged or faulty electricals such as loose wires, incorrect fuses and overheating, and ancient or faulty electrical equipment. Again, this is a prevention issue – employers are required by law to maintain and correctly use electrical equipment and arrange annual Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).
- Storage of flammable or combustible materials which could be as innocuous and mundane as paper, rubbish, or packaging, as well as chemicals or substances which are known to be flammable.
- Human error such as incorrect usage of electrical equipment, incorrect storage of items or blocking ventilation. Regular and up-to-date fire safety training is essential to avoid this.
- Negligence, including disposal of cigarettes or matches, taking insufficient care when cooking, and general carelessness or ignorance of procedures.
- Arson, to which, sadly, business premises can be susceptible, whether it’s targeted or random vandalism. This sort of fire can spread rapidly. Every workplace needs suitable fire control systems and could consider fire shutters and sprinklers to protect their property, and robust security.
The most common cause of UK workplace fires is faulty or misused electrical equipment. That accounts for nearly 20% of all incidents, usually due to electrical wiring, cabling, and plugs. Damaged or worn wiring, overloaded circuits, and misuse of extension leads can cause overheating, sparking, and ultimately, a fire. It’s thought that human error is a contributory factor in around of half of all workplace fires. These figures prove the point that many fires are entirely preventable.
Stop Fires Starting
Statistics show that industrial premises tend to be the most susceptible to fire, with retail and hospitality also high in the chart. Other workplaces affected by fire include vehicle trade premises, schools and other educational establishments, hospitals and healthcare settings, hotels, boarding houses, and hostels. Every workplace, every different industry sector needs the right fire safety equipment too, including the correct fire extinguishers – which must also be properly checked and maintained.
In accordance with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and British Standards BS5306 guidance document, you are legally obligated to carry out fire extinguisher(s) servicing at least annually to ensure your critical life safety fire extinguishers are properly and thoroughly checked and are kept in the best working condition for the safety of your people and building. A BAFE Accredited fire extinguisher company, like Francis Fire, should conduct fire extinguisher servicing, with documented proof of all servicing undertaken and certification received upon completion.
The risks aren’t just damage to property and financial losses. Tragically, every year there are casualties and even fatalities. This is even more tragic if most of these fires were, as discussed, totally preventable. Businesses must undertake regular fire risk assessments and ensure all staff receive fire safety training. We hope you never need to use our equipment, but you have peace of mind knowing you’re in safe hands should the worst happen.