Stopping Fires before They Begin: Fire Safety Tips

Fire safety should be everyone’s responsibility, especially with the troubling fact that there were 192,600 fires around the U.K. from 2012 to 2013. The Fire Safety Order states that everyone who owns or occupies a non-domestic property should, among other things, conduct their own inspections for potential fire hazards, inform their colleagues of any such hazards identified within the premises, and participate in emergency planning. For common or shared areas, however, the responsibility falls entirely upon landlords.

On Top of Fire Risk Assessment, Workplace Fire Training is a Must

Normally, a fire training course can run up to two hours, with the first hour dedicated to basic fire awareness and the second one focusing on the responsibilities of a Fire Warden. During the course, the nominated employees will gain better familiarity with a fire’s behavior, know how to handle a workplace incident, and understand what needs to be done. Most importantly, the training gives them the opportunity to provide input for their organisation’s Emergency Plan, thus acquainting them with the procedures in place. During any incident, the most immediately accessible resources towards safety are the people within the premises themselves. Therefore, obtaining fire safety services such as training and risk assessments are invaluable so that everyone in the workplace is ready for any fire emergency, any time.
http://www.hasaw.com/top-fire-risk-assessment-workplace-fire-training-must/

Profesisonal Fire Risk Assessment is Key to Minimising Fire Hazards

Various Fire and Rescue Authorities in the country have responded to about 192,600 fires from 2012 to 2013, a figure that would certainly have been higher were it not for the heavy rains at the time. Even more troubling is the fact that more than a third of fires in the U.K. occurred in dwellings where no smoke or fire alarms were installed. Such a lapse in fire safety measures is something a company like Help and Safety at Work Ltd wishes to avert and eliminate, specifically by means of a thorough fire risk assessment of commercial and residential properties. At any rate, fire safety should be everyone’s responsibility. The Fire Safety Order states that everyone who owns or occupies a non-domestic property should, among other things, conduct their own inspections for potential fire hazards, inform their colleagues of any such hazards identified within the premises, and participate in emergency planning.
http://www.hasaw.com/profesisonal-fire-risk-assessment-key-minimising-fire-hazards/

Is your Garage Safe?

Garages are fun additions to your property, whether they’re integral to your house or a separate facility. Given the harsh conditions that English weather is known for, a place to protect your vehicles and other belongings from the elements is always welcome. However, when you use the garage for storing and maintaining vehicles, too many things can still happen inside such a confined space. You will need fire risk assessment specialists to determine their overall safety per the Fire Safety Order of 2005, putting some critical elements into account.

Quality Fire Risk Assessment: A Means to an End, Not the End Itself

Fire risk management extends beyond having the right fire-fighting equipment in the workplace. It can also include basic drills, first aid, and any other aspect that can mitigate the effects of a fire. Most, if not all, are included in a fire risk assessment program like the one from Help and Safety at Work. As fire risk management evolves, a thorough fire safety risk assessment becomes increasingly important. There’s currently no set rule as to how often you should carry one, but it should be updated every time you make changes to the workplace. This assessment only takes a look at renovations but also new hires, system upgrades, policy revisions, and even past fires.
http://www.hasaw.com/quality-fire-risk-assessment-means-end-end/

Fire Safety and Risk Assessment in the U.K.

The U.K. is known as one of the most thorough nations when it comes to fire safety. In fact it has comprehensive fire legislation not commonly known elsewhere in the world. Has anything changed in the country when it comes to the enforcement of fire safety laws? For starters, fires have been steadily declining, due in no small part to wetter weather. However, as long as fires pose a threat to life and property, there can be no rest for those in charge of people’s safety. In the end, only the quick action of a business or institution can prevent the terrible loss of life and of property.

Get a Fire Risk Assessment Before School Starts and Receive Freebies

As part of our campaign to welcome the new school year safely, we’ll be giving away a fire log book and fire blanket if you request for a thorough fire safety risk assessment. The log book enables you to continually record all fire safety tests, servicing and maintenance. The fire blanket is a deployable fabric that can put out small fires by depriving them of oxygen. Contact HASAW at 08000-838-114 or visit our website at HASAW.com to schedule your fire risk assessment today. You can also visit our office at 7 Midland Rd., Thrapston, Northamptonshire.
http://www.hasaw.com/get-fire-risk-assessment-school-starts-receive-freebies/

How not to get scorched by fire safety violations

Fire is the quintessential destructive force, prompting government and private agencies to take on the mission of minimising the damage to life and property. Fire risk assessments have been enacted into law, making them mandatory for building owners. One paid a huge price for ignoring basic fire safety regulations.

Fire Risk Assessment Helps Avert Fire in Shops and Department Stores

"The examples and tips provided by FireSafe.org suggest that fire accidents in shops and department stores can be caused by negligence, arson, and poor building design. Therefore, it is crucial for businesses to get a thorough fire risk assessment and put formal safety policy and procedures in place. During a fire risk assessment, the company building’s structural design will be inspected for fire hazards, and a plan to mitigate or eliminate these hazards may be created. Excellent fire risk assessors like those at Help and Safety at Work Ltd use the latest fire safety standards to provide the most effective recommendations on improving fire safety in retail establishments. The recommendations may include adding quality fire extinguishers, installing fire alarm systems, and re-establishing a fire escape. "
http://www.hasaw.com/fire-risk-assessment-helps-avert-fire-shops-department-stores/

Know Your Fire Extinguishers

Most fires can be safely doused with water. Why just "most?"

Fires take on the characteristics of the fuel, resulting in fires worse than simply burning paper. If you try dousing a petrol fire with water, for instance, the petrol—being lighter than water—will simply spread over a wide area, igniting more flammable materials nearby. You'll need something that chemically bonds with oil to put out the flame; i.e. foam or carbon dioxide.

Fire risk assessment takes into account possible scenarios for a fire, which includes the kinds of fuel that can cause one. Factories are at a greater risk of fire than homes since they normally house different kinds of fuel and fire hazards. They may have a gas line running throughout the entire facility or may be working with high-voltage electrical currents.

Dry powder is the most versatile fire extinguisher available. Also known as dry chemical, this fire extinguisher is either classified as ABC (containing ammonium phosphate) or BC (containing sodium or potassium phosphate). These chemicals works by absorbing fuel molecules, thereby interrupting the burning process by smothering the flames.

While dry powder is effective for all types of fire, safety experts warn against using the wrong extinguisher due to the risk of re-ignition. In gas fires, without separating the fire from the source of fuel, efforts to bring the blaze under control will be futile. That's why it's best to have the right type(s) of fire extinguisher(s) for your home or facility.

Fight Against Fire – Office Safety Tips

A fire is the last thing a business owner wants to happen in his office or commercial establishment. An office fire can easily convert years (even decades) of hard work to ashes, leaving the owner and his employees at a loss of what to do in the midst of the rubble.

Business owners should keep their offices clear of any fire hazard so as to protect their assets from absolute destruction. Hence, here are some tips that will help business owners ensure the safety of their employees and businesses:

First of all, the office must meet their fire safety requirements, which could be determined during a fire risk assessment. For instance, keeping combustible items like carpets and upholstered furniture to a minimum will prevent a big fire from happening. If the business already have such items, then it is important to keep these materials away from flammable solutions or substances, which must be properly stored and secured.

Other than keeping fire risks or hazards at a minimum or completely eliminating them, it is also important for the office and its employees to be prepared in case a blaze does occur. Keeping exits clear of combustibles and any other obstructions is important. An emergency action plan must also be put in place to avoid confusion during an evacuation.