Too many firms falling short on fire safety

Too many businesses are unaware of their responsibilities when it comes to fire fighting equipment and providing staff with fire safety training, Norwich Union Risk Services (NURS) property risk specialist Martin Hartley has said.

He warned that making equipment, such as fire extinguishers available was "not enough" and that staff needed to know when and how to use it, as well as how the various types of equipment worked.

He says: "Protecting the lives of staff as well as business property is paramount. Our research, along with anecdotal evidence, suggests that businesses may not be fully aware of their responsibilities.

"All staff should be familiar with the location of extinguishers, be able to select the correct type and operate one safely as a first aid measure - in case they need to.

"Adequate and appropriate training in the use of extinguishers is essential.

Government fire safety risk assessment guidance indicates that 'the safe use of an appropriate fire extinguisher to control a fire in its early stages, can also significantly reduce the risk to other people in the premises by allowing people to assist others who are at risk.'

"Some businesses might not be getting it right. They may be unclear of the varying types of fire safety equipment available on the premises, let alone have knowledge of how to use one."

Martin went on to say that the ability to identify the correct extinguisher was particularly important since current standards (BS EN 3) required that extinguishers were virtually all red - although they should have a small colour coded area to identify the type.

"For example, water filled extinguishers (red coded area) can be used on paper, wood, and textile fires - powder extinguishers (blue coded area) on wood, paper, textiles, electrical hazards - and CO2 extinguishers (black coded area) on electrical hazards.

"To the casual observer all modern extinguishers look the same, but under previous standards the entire extinguisher was painted in a single block colour to identify its use. These older types can still be used - until no longer serviceable - but the two styles should not be mixed and the operating method should be standardised throughout any premises to avoid confusion on how they are operated."

He concluded: "The provision alone of fire fighting equipment is not enough. Staff should be adequately trained in order to determine which extinguisher can be used when and, most importantly, how and when it is safe to do so - for their own safety."

A factsheet on fire extinguishers can be accessed here>>