A Comprehensive Guide to Our Fire Protection Services

It doesn’t take much to start a fire; all a fire needs to break out is:



●     A source of ignition (e.g. heat, electricity)

●     A source of fuel (something that burns)

●     Oxygen

Despite this, many fires are preventable - assuming the necessary fire protection solutions are in place.

Having the necessary fire safety solutions in place helps to mitigate the risks associated with a fire breaking out, especially in areas where sources of ignition and/or fuel are prevalent. Similarly, they help to reduce the spread of a fire if one does break out, ensuring any individuals inside a building have adequate time to escape and any damage is kept to a minimum.

Ultimately, the core aim of fire solutions is to prioritise the safety of people, making fire safety procedures of the utmost importance.

Fire Safety Legal Requirements for Businesses

If you run a business, then you have a legal responsibility for ensuring the safety of all employees and visitors in your building. As part of this responsibility, you are required to carry out a fire safety risk assessment, as well as taking reasonable fire precautions and ensuring there are dedicated escape routes (which must be kept clear at all times).

There are three key pieces of legislation relating to fire safety that you should be aware of in particular. These are:

●     Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO): This is the primary legislation that governs fire safety in England and Wales for non-domestic premises and communal parts of residential buildings.

●     Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: These regulations provide further guidance and, particularly relating to the external walls, flat entrance doors and structure of buildings.

●     Building Safety Act 2022: Section 156 of this act relates to fire safety in Fire Safety Order regulated premises.

It’s also important to note that there should be an allocated ‘responsible person’ who is in charge of ensuring the aforementioned regulations are adhered to and that the necessary responsibilities are met.

Who Should Be the Responsible Person?

You will be the one responsible for overseeing the fire safety in a business or other non-domestic premises (this also applies if you have paying guests, for example if you run a bed and breakfast or let a self-catering property) if you are:

●     An employer

●     The landlord

●     The owner

●     An occupier

●     Anyone else with control over the premises (e.g. facilities manager)

If you are any of the above, then you are known as the ‘responsible person’. It’s also possible to have more than one responsible person, in which case all responsible persons should work together to ensure that all responsibilities are met.

What Are Their Responsibilities?

Undertake Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are essential for understanding exactly where the fire risks in a building are and to what extent they pose a threat. They should also consider who might be especially at risk out of any occupants that are normally or might be in the building.

Any responsible person should ensure that a suitable and sufficient risk assessment is undertaken and that this is kept up to date - a fire risk assessment should be carried out annually. It’s also important to note that if you have five or more employees/occupants in your building, then the assessment must be documented in writing.

Fire Precautions

As a responsible person, you will be responsible for eliminating and/or reducing the risk from fir, as is considered reasonably practical. This should include:

●     Providing general fire precautions (e.g. fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency lighting)

●     Ensuring adequate escape routes (and that these are kept clear)

●     Ensure all fire alarms and extinguishers are regularly maintained and tested

Fire Safety Training & Procedures

As well as putting the necessary fire precautions in place yourself, it’s equally important that you ensure any and all employees are trained in the correct fire safety procedures. For example, you should have a clear evacuation plan in the event of a fire and all employees should be aware of this.

The Services Offered at Thameside Fire Protection

Fire Sprinklers

Thameside Fire Protection is a leading UK fire sprinkler company with over 40 years of experience in supplying, installing, and maintaining sprinkler systems. Our installations are tailored to your specific requirements and premises, ensuring that you receive the optimal level of fire protection.

Unlike alarms, fire sprinklers are designed to detect heat. When the sensor in the sprinkler is exposed to a certain temperature, it releases a valve that allows pressurised water to flow out and help to extinguish the fire.

Fire Alarms

We can design, supply and install a full range of fire alarm systems for a wide range of building structures. As an LPS 1014 approved company, we’re also fully qualified to provide expert servicing and maintenance for your fire alarm systems.

Fire alarms work by detecting fire indicators (traditionally smoke, although they can also detect heat) then sending a signal to a control panel to activate alarms. There are different types of fire alarm systems available; for example, conventional systems will activate all alarms but won’t pinpoint the exact location a fire is detected, whereas addressable systems will activate all alarms and can also pinpoint the location of the fire.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are essential pieces of equipment to have in the event of a fire, as they allow you to quickly and efficiently put out flames in an emergency. There are different types of fire extinguishers available, each suited to different types of fires.

Here at Thameside Fire Protection, we can advise you on the most suitable extinguishers for your establishment, along with extinguisher refilling and servicing to ensure that you’re always protected.

Fire Suppression Systems

Fire suppression systems are designed to control the spread of fire, limit the damage done to your business and protect both you and your team. They essentially utilise a combination of the previously mentioned solutions in that they feature a detection sensor, which automatically releases an extinguishing agent (e.g. water, foam or gas) to suppress the fire, all whilst sounding alarms.

The suppression systems we offer include:

●     Victaulic Vortex™ Hybrid Fire Extinguishing System

●     Foam Fire Suppression Systems Thameside

●     Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems

●     Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems

●     Gas Fire Suppression Systems

●     Dry Chemical Powder Fire Suppression Systems

●     Aerosol Fire Suppression Systems

Fire Protection in Essex

Ready to ensure your business meets all fire safety legal requirements? Here at Thameside Fire Protection, we can help to meet your needs. With over 40 years of experience and a wide range of services, including fire sprinklers, alarms, extinguishers, suppression systems and more, we can tailor a solution to protect your premises and personnel. Don't wait, safeguard your business now.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements and learn how we can help to safeguard your Essex-based business against fire risks.