IMPORTANT NOTICE

Fire is both a friend and an enemy to mankind. When used appropriately, it serves as a very useful servant but when used carelessly, it becomes a very vicious and merciless master. It causes the greatest hazard both at work and at home. It is true that most fires start from a small beginning, hence early detection and attack is very crucial in preventing the fire from spreading and growing into an inferno. The outbreak of a huge fire in an organisation will lead to loss of life, property, money and information.  Facility managers as well as all those responsible for fire and safety issues in the workplace need to have basic knowledge on fire safety management and enforcement.

Employers are required to carry out fire risk assessments of the workplace to identify, eliminate or reduce the hazard of fire in order to safeguard their employees. Carrying out a fire risk assessment may seem daunting but it is a relatively easy task. It is essential to assess the risks and eliminate the identified risks. However, not all risks are possible to eliminate or reduce completely, so employers will need to satisfy themselves that suitable alternative arrangements are in place in case a fire incident arises. For risks which cannot be wholly eliminated, it is good practice to:

• Design an effective fire plan and ensure employees are trained to use it
• Ensure that good means of escape in case of fire are provided and ensure that these are always kept clear and available at all material times
• Provide alternative escape routes wherever possible (the number and location of these will depend on the level of fire risk present)
• Provide good fire detection and warning arrangements
• Provide adequate fire-fighting equipment, suitable for the type of fire that is likely to occur, and train employees in its use
• Ensure that adequate means are available for calling the emergency services.

If there are more than five employees in the premises then the findings of the risk assessment must be recorded in writing and kept available for inspection. The employees must be advised of the findings and made familiar with the emergency plan. From time to time, changes will undoubtedly occur in the workplace. This may be the introduction or use of a hazardous substance or process, structural alterations to the building or an increase in employee numbers. Any one of these changes could affect the fire precautions in the premises. Risk assessment records should therefore be reviewed periodically and any necessary changes made. In these circumstances the employer must inform the employees of any significant changes to the fire plan. Accordingly, reviews of risk assessments and emergency plans need to be carried out on a regular basis. It is advisable to review fire risk assessments at least annually. 

Daily checks
It is advisable to carry out a daily check of the fire precautions in the workplace to ensure that all escape routes are clear of obstructions and escape doors unlocked and available for use. Fire doors which are required to be kept closed (in order to contain a fire or protect escape routes from smoke, etc) must not be wedged open. Fire extinguishers must not have been removed or obstructed. Where an electrical fire alarm is provided, the control panel must be checked to ensure the system is live and that no faults are indicated. Break-glass fire-alarm call points must not be obstructed.

Weekly checks
In addition to the daily checks, it is recommended that a full inspection of all fire precautions in the premises be carried out at least weekly. This will specifically include the fire alarm system which should be tested. Using the special key provided by the manufacturer, operate a different break glass call point each week. Ensure that all the sounders on the premises (i.e. bells, sirens, klaxons, etc) operate and can be heard in all parts of the premises. In some larger premises more sophisticated equipment such as automatic sprinklers and smoke control systems may be installed. These should also be checked weekly. 

Monthly checks
Any safety lighting (emergency lighting) provided in addition to the normal artificial lighting system should be tested. Each luminary should be checked to ensure that it is working, and standby batteries examined for signs of corrosion or leakage. Where diesel engine standby generators are provided then the fuel level should be checked.

Quarterly checks
It is likely that some fire certificates will require a quarterly test of the fire alarm system as well as staff training where employees work at night. Additionally, checks may be necessary for automatic sprinkler systems or other automatic fire suppression systems. It is best to refer to the installer in these instances.

Six-monthly checks
Staff training and the evacuation drill of day work employees incorporating the sounding of the fire alarm. This can often utilise a further "quarterly" test of the fire alarm and should include the test and examination of any electro-magnetic door hold open devices installed in the system.

Annual checks
All portable fire fighting equipment and any fixed hose reel system should be examined and tested by a competent person. This is often done under contract by a fire engineering company or the supplier. Likewise most automatic fire-fighting installations, fire suppression and smoke ventilation systems will be examined and tested by the installers if under contract to do so.