Having efficient fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers in the workplace, is essential for ensuring the health and safety of the employees, customers, and visitors. According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “responsible” person must ensure that the premises have appropriate fire-fighting equipment, including fire detectors and alarms. They are also required to conduct a fire risk assessment, reduce the risk of fire as far as is possible and implement all necessary measures to protect the people within the building from fire hazards.
Why do you need Fire Extinguishers in your Office?
A crucial piece of fire safety equipment that is essential in all commercial buildings is fire extinguishers. Even though they are a vital part of the fire prevention strategy, their importance is often overlooked. Fire extinguishers are indeed only useful in tackling small fires and not raging infernos. But considering that the majority of workplace fires are caused by accidents and start as small fires in most cases, the significance of fire extinguishers as the first line of defence against fire, cannot be ignored. They are the first-aid response that can help prevent extensive damage to the property and even save lives.
Another reason why they are invaluable in an office is that they are small and easy to operate. With a bit of training, you and your employees can easily use them to put out small fires and prevent them from growing or causing damage to life and property. You could avoid repair and renovation expenses simply by getting the appropriate fire extinguishers and regularly conducting their maintenance.
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Every workplace must have a fire risk assessment to understand which type of fire extinguishers meet the regulations and the specific needs of the premises. Based on the classes of fire that your commercial building is most at risk of, you will be required to select from the five main types of fire extinguishers – CO2, Wet Chemical, Dry Powder, Foam and Water.
Protection and Maintenance of Fire Extinguishers in the Workplace
Now that you know the importance of fire extinguishers, the next thing to understand is the significance of protecting and maintaining them. Regardless of the size of your business premises, fire extinguishers must be placed in all appropriate locations and protected accordingly. For example, if your fire extinguishers are located outside the property, then you must ensure that they are protected from natural elements, vandalism, accidental damage, and corrosion. You can use appropriate lockable cabinets and stands to house fire extinguishers for that purpose.
You must also ensure that you arrange periodic checks of your fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment by trained, qualified and experienced fire and safety specialists. They will be able to identify and rectify any faults and clean and replace any parts if necessary, so your premises are equipped with fully operational fire extinguishers. If your commercial building needs a fire risk assessment or new fire safety systems and extinguishers, LNS can provide all the guidance and services you need. We are a leading fire and security systems provider in Leicestershire, with over 20 years of experience in this market. You can contact our friendly team for any of your fire and safety requirements, and we’ll take care of them swiftly and efficiently.