Offices have their own particular risks when it comes to fire hazards. Every year, thousands of office fires start because of a lack of awareness of basic fire safety procedures.
Electrical faults
Loose wiring, overloaded sockets, damage to cables or simple aging of equipment can all increase the risk of an electrical fire. Inspection, testing and replacement of faulty electrical equipment is governed by law.
Cooking
Kitchens often involve the use of open flames and flammable substances such as oil. Have clear signage and procedures for using kitchen equipment. Do not leave unattended, and ensure everything is switched off when finished.
Waste build up
Dust can obstruct fans and vents, leading to overheated devices. Flammable materials, from paper and card to grease and solvents, must be stored and disposed of appropriately. Waste can block exit routes or simply increase the combustible materials filling a small area.
Smoking
Failure to extinguish and dispose of cigarettes safely is a fire risk. Smoking areas should be situated away from buildings and have appropriate ashtrays/waste receptacles.
Poor planning
Failure to perform a fire risk assessment Northamptonshire to identify current risk factors and possible mitigation methods, lack of training for staff on fire protocols or more general health and safety, or poor maintenance of alarms, fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment all increase the likelihood of a serious fire developing.
Carrying out a fire risk assessment in Northamptonshire to understand the most likely causes of fire in your office means you will be able to take appropriate preventative measures.