In 2023/24, over 7,000 workplace fires were recorded in the UK. Although the number of workplace fires has steadily decreased in the last decade, fires in commercial properties remain a significant threat to businesses in the UK.
Faulty or misused electrical equipment, including plugs, wiring, and cabling, is the leading cause of these fires.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 was introduced for England and Wales in 2006. It provides a risk-based approach to fire safety in all workplaces and other non-domestic premises.
Despite the need for businesses to have a Fire Risk Assessment since the 1997 Fire Precautions Regulations were introduced, there are still cases where assessments are not carried out or are inadequate for the premises' risks.
Fires today can be larger and more complex to resolve, and businesses often have extended recovery periods following a fire on their premises.
In this blog, we’ll discuss what should be included in a competent fire risk assessment, examine common causes of fire, and discuss how to protect your business against them.
What should be included in a fire risk assessment?
A competent fire risk assessment should include the areas below:
- Identification of the potential risk for fire to occur.
- Assessment of the existing control measures and whether additional controls could eliminate or reduce risks.
- What the construction of your building is and how this might spread fire
- Whether all building occupants are notified of fire quickly and if so, how.
- Assessment of the current fire protection and detection systems, whether they are maintained, tested, in good repair, and suitable for the premises.
- Whether there are suitable means for summoning the Fire & Rescue Service.
- Assessment of the means of escape and whether they are adequate,
- Whether fire escape signage is clear and easy to understand.
- Assessment of the emergency escape lighting and whether it provides enough illumination.
- Assessment of staff training and their knowledge of what to do in he event of a fire.
- Whether training records for fire are kept up to date and staff understand the training delivered.
- Assessments of arrangements to assist vulnerable groups in evacuation.
Control measures for fire risk management
As with health and safety risk assessments, the management and control of fire risk should follow the same principles. The main principle is whether measures are adequate to avoid risk where possible.
Where possible, risks should be combated at the source, and dangerous items should be replaced with less dangerous or non-dangerous items.
The business should have an overall fire prevention policy, which should be clearly and regularly explained to employees.
Fire causes and how to protect your business against them
There are many causes of fires in commercial premises. Here is a selection of causes and how to protect your business against them.
Arson and deliberate fire setting
Improve building and site security to prevent access by criminals. Check and update security devices regularly. Ensure fuel is not readily available on site for arsonists to use. Move waste and highly flammable material away from the building.
Electricity
Ensure all electrical systems and portable appliances are inspected and tested regularly. Have faulty wiring or fittings repaired immediately. Only use competent and trained electricians. Switch off all electrical equipment (where possible) when not in use.
Rubbish and waste materials
Remove all waste materials from the premises regularly. Locate rubbish and waste containers well away from the building (a minimum distance of 10m is advised).
Lithium-ion batteries
Provide safe and adequate storage areas, separate, if possible, for any lithium-ion batteries or products using them. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for usage and storage. Don’t expose batteries to direct sunlight or high temperatures. Inspect batteries and chargers regularly for signs of physical damage and replace immediately. Only use approved providers of batteries and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or compatible chargers. Provide safe disposal of batteries separated from the general waste you produce. Install charging facilities for electric vehicles, e-bikes, and e-scooters in safe locations.
Find out more about the risks of lithium-ion batteries for both business owners and landlords here.
Heating appliances
Ensure heating appliances have guards and are secured to prevent them from being knocked over. Place them away from combustible materials. Put signage on them to stop people from draping clothing or putting combustible materials on them. Maintain portable heaters regularly.
Cooking
Ensure combustible materials such as cloths and towels are away from hobs. Toasters and microwave ovens should be in designated kitchen areas, not office workspaces. Ensure fire extinguishers and fire blankets are provided. Ensure extraction filters and ducting are regularly checked, cleaned, and maintained. If you run a commercial kitchen, consider installing a fire suppression system specifically designed for kitchens.
Combustible or hazardous materials
Ensure combustible materials in the premises are kept to a minimum. Bulk supplies of these materials should be locked in a secure store outside the main premises if possible. Hazardous materials such as paints, solvents, adhesives, and chemicals generally fall within the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002 and will require separate risk assessment.
Hot work
The most common hot work processes are welding, cutting, grinding and using blowtorches. A formal, supervised permit-to-work system must be in place if hot work is undertaken outside a designated and suitably risk-assessed workshop.
Business continuity planning
To complement your Fire Risk Assessment, it is good practice to prepare a business continuity plan so that if a fire were to occur, the business would be prepared and have a strategy in place to continue trading and successfully recover.
Find out more about the importance of business continuity planning here.
Fire protection and fire safety
Here are some examples of areas that you need to consider when assessing fire protection and fire safety.
Escape routes and exits
All escape routes from the premises must be clearly marked and are clear of obstructions at all times. Fire exit doors should not be locked when the premises are occupied.
Portable firefighting equipment
Suitable fire extinguishers should be provided in all areas and suitable for the types of materials and hazards in those areas.
Fire alarms
Systems should be in place to warn people on the premises of the danger at the earliest possible opportunity. Every commercial premises must provide a suitable means of raising the alarm. For very small businesses, this may just be a verbal command or a simple break-glass fire alarm. More substantial fire alarms are required for larger buildings to comply with regulations.
Many fires happen outside normal working hours, so a fire alarm that is continuously monitored remotely and alerts the fire brigade can greatly reduce the extent and damage caused by a fire on the premises.
Preventing the spread of fire and smoke
Fire doors can massively reduce the spread of fire and smoke, especially in key areas such as designated escape routes and corridors.
Fire doors typically incorporate self-closing devices and smoke seals to ensure the containment of a fire. These doors should never be ‘wedged’ open. Failing to protect escape routes can be an offence.
Fire and smoke can also spread through walls, including insulation and cladding. Fire-stopping systems can be installed to prevent fire from travelling.
Maintain clean and tidy workspaces
Instructing and operating a tidy policy in the business can prevent untold damage to the premises. Ensure prompt waste removal, keep escape routes and corridors clear of obstructions, and turn off electrical appliances when not in use.
If you want help and advice on assessing, protecting and insuring your premises against the risk of fire, contact Harborough Portas today.
Related content:
The importance of business continuity planning.
Lithium-ion batteries – reducing fire risk in commercial buildings,
UK Government fire safety in the workplace guidance.
