Fire prevention in the workplace

As an employer, what is the extent of my responsibilities as it relates to fire prevention in the workplace?

Fires in the workplace can be caused by anything from smoking in the toilets to computer equipment overheating or malfunctioning heaters. On top of this, the amount of paper found in most offices means a fire can spread alarmingly fast and as such the importance of a fully functional fire extinguisher cannot be overstressed. In fact, all employers are legally required to provide and service fire equipment such as fire extinguishers and hoses.

The key to eliminating the potential for fires is a solid fire prevention plan that does not just involve having an alarm and fire extinguishers, but also incorporates preparations that could save lives. A fire prevention plan requires a solid foundation. To this end all potential fire hazards should be documented; the ones you miss are the ones that are likely to cause the most significant incidents. A fire prevention plan should identify the risks, specify procedures for reporting a fire emergency and activating the fire alarm, note the location of fire equipment and include a detailed safe evacuation plan.

When a fire breaks out, the time to react can be measured in seconds and with this in mind the importance of regular fire drills cannot be overemphasised. Most deaths and injuries resulting from fires are due to people not being aware of the proper fire safety and exit strategies to follow. It is the employer’s duty to ensure that staff members are trained and equipped to handle such emergencies.

Benefits of regular fire drills

• It ensures that your alarm is in working order. 
• Everybody will be aware of their roles and responsibilities.
• People will feel prepared and therefore calmer. 
• It confirms that your evacuation plan will work.

Though fires may all look the same, the fact is that not all materials burn in the same way. Fires are classified based on the type of material that is burning and each will require a different type of extinguishing. In the event of an electrical fire, for example, it’s extremely important to not use a water- or foam-based extinguisher as this can lead to an even more dangerous shock hazard.

Classes of fire
Class A fires — combustible materials like wood, paper, trash, plastics, and fabric.
Class B fires — flammable liquids like gasoline or propane.
Class C fires — electrical equipment.
Class D fires — metals like potassium, sodium, aluminium, and magnesium.
Class K fires — cooking oils.

Fire safety training is an important yet often overlooked aspect of running a business. A fire in the workplace can prove deadly if fire safety protocols are not followed and if staff are untrained. By making fire safety a priority and ensuring that employees know what to do when disaster strikes, you’ll have a team of people who know what to do and how to get themselves, and your customers, to safety.