Common Fire Risks In An Office
Any building can potentially be full of fire risks that many don’t even realise until it's too late. Fire drills and training can help to teach workers what to do in the event of a fire, but many don’t stop to consider that identifying the risks and putting a stop to them will reduce the risk of fire, making those drills just an added layer of protection instead of something necessary.
Here are some of the most common fire risks in an office.
Cluttered Office
If your office is absolutely full of stuff, this can increase the risk of a fire. Having a lot of files, documents, resources and other things around can harbour a lot of dust and grease over time, which can make fires more likely.
A cluttered office will also make it harder to evacuate, putting workers at risk as they try to leave the building. Ensure your office is tidy and organised at all times, with frequent cleaning by workers or an outside company to reduce the risk of fires. Make sure you keep all exits clear and recycle or dispose of anything unnecessary to keep the space as organised as possible.
Plug Sockets
One of the biggest fire risks in offices is through plug sockets and extension cables. If these are overloaded, they can draw too much power and cause them to overheat, which can lead to fires. Make sure you don’t ask too much of your plug sockets, and only use the optimal number of extension cables to stop risks of fire. You should also check your cables every six months and have regular PAT tests.
No Fire Safety Training
No matter what the risks are, it can be incredibly dangerous in an office if there has not been proper fire safety training. Without this, employees will not know what needs to be done in the event of a fire, which can lead them to be at risk if a fire does break out. Make sure all of your employees know what they specifically need to do in the event of a fire, such as who is in charge and how to use equipment like extinguishers.
Reliable Fire Risk Assessments & Training
If you’re in need of fire safety consultants who will be able to assess the risks of fire in your office, get in touch with the team here at Thameside Fire Protection. We offer reliable fire risk assessments, where we will visit your property and conduct a thorough inspection of your office, ensuring fire protection systems are working adequately and offering a free, no-obligation quote if we feel you need changes.
Our fire risk assessment service includes a visit to your site, a comprehensive survey identifying fire hazards and their risks plus a detailed report concentrating on the five disciplines of a good fire safety strategy. These are prevention, escape, communication, confinement and suppression. These assessments should be carried out annually to ensure everything is working correctly and to give you peace of mind.
We also offer fire safety training, so that all of your team knows exactly what to do in case of an emergency. If you’d like to find out more or book any of our services, feel free to contact us today.
