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.