No matter
what type of business you run, you have a duty of care towards your employees and must do everything in your power
to ensure they are safe. One element of
this is fire safety. Not only must you
have a fire evacuation plan and train
your staff on how to follow procedures correctly, but you must also ensure that
your building is properly fitted with fire protection equipment. In this article, we’re going to take a look
at the four most important pieces of equipment that every business needs. Do keep in mind that certain industries will
require more than the basics listed below.
Fire Extinguishers
There are five different types of fire
extinguisher. The most common is the water extinguisher and
these are recommended for most types of businesses, such as offices. Depending on your type of business, you may also
require one of the other types, which are wet chemical extinguishers, powder
extinguishers, carbon dioxide extinguishers, and foam extinguishers. At least two of these should be placed on
every floor of the building in a strategic location. A professional fire safety company can help
you determine how many you need and where to place them if you are unsure.
Fire Sprinkler Systems
While fire extinguishers are important, they should
never take the place of a properly installed fire sprinkler system. Different systems are needed depending on the
type of business that you run, and this blog post written by sprinkler engineers explains the different hazard classes in more
detail. A good system will deploy when
it detects heat or smoke and will attempt
to quench the fire with either water or another fire retarding agent. Look for a system that contains a manual
override that can be used if the automatic controls fail.
Emergency Signs and Lighting
While you should have an evacuation procedure in
place, it’s still a good idea to add emergency signs and lighting to your
building, which will help direct employees to the closest fire exit. Lights should be paired with an emergency
backup system which kicks in should anything happen to the main electric
power. All signs and lighting should be
designed to be visible in high smoke environments, and again this can be recommended
by a professional. The aim of this
equipment is to help your employees to escape without injury.
Safety Guards
Finally, you should also add some safety guards to
your building. These prevent
unauthorized staff members from getting into a location that could cause a fire
hazard. Guards can also be used in the
event of a fire to block access to certain locations, preventing injuries, and
to direct staff where to go. An expert
can take a look at the layout of your building and advise on the type of guards
you need and where to place them.
Work with a professional company when buying the
equipment above and ensure you have a proper fire safety procedure in
place. Your employees will thank you.
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