Fire safety is essential for the benefit of your employees as well as the clients who visit the premises. Not only that, fire safety is a legal requirement for all businesses from the 1st of October 2006 - where all employers should assess the risk and make sure to take suitable steps in order to reduce the risk of fire within the premises. That is why every employer should pay very close attention to implementing an effective fire safety program in their premises. If you are a manager or an employer, fireproofing the building should be your #1 priority right now. But there are many things that you need to consider when ensuring that the office premises is fireproof and safe for all employees. Here are some of the most important things to consider when fireproofing your office premises.


1. Electrical equipment poses the greatest risk to fireproofing your office. The average office has a lot of electrical equipment such as computers, desk lamps, telephone connections, printers, fax machines, and photocopiers. You should assign someone to check all these equipment for any damages on a regular basis in order to minimise the risk of fire in your office premises. The employees should be trained to use the equipment correctly. On the other hand, you should immediately remove any faulty equipment from the premises. Make sure your employees adhere to strict guidelines when it comes to using electrical equipment in the office. This will help to minimise the risk of fire caused due to faulty or incorrect use of electrical equipment in the office.


2. Emergency escape routes are required by law. In fact, your office premises should have emergency escape routes for the employees to escape in case of a sudden fire. There should be a safe assembly point outside the office premises for the employees to congregate during the event of a fire. Whether the route is down the main office staircase, a designated corridor to use in case of a fire, or an external fire escape route, when is the last time you checked the escape route? Is the escape route obstructed with various office materials such as chairs, desks, plants, filing cabinets, or other objects? In fact, the emergency escape route should be accessible at all times. Hence, good housekeeping is essential on your part.


3. Fire detection and warning systems should be checked on a regular basis. It is mandatory by law to have a fire detection and warning system in place in your office. The smoke alarms should be checked at least once a month to ensure that they operate properly. Carry out frequent tests of the fire alarm system in order to make sure that it operates properly. In fact, the alarm should be heard by everyone in and around the office during an emergency fire situation. 


4. Safe smoke breaks in the office. Did you stop to think about the mid-morning cigarette break? Whether you have a designated space outside or you ask the employees to leave the building to have the cigarette break - Are the employees aware of the fire safety risks that accompany the cigarette break? Make sure the employees are aware of the fire risks associated with discarding cigarette smoke where it could easily set light to the flammable materials nearby. Some of these materials include papers in the rubbish bin, dry leaves, or spilt petrol in the car park. In fact, a small act of carelessness can lead to a major catastrophe in most cases. That is why the employees should be educated about the risk associated with such actions.


5. Appointing a competent fire warden and carrying out a sufficient fire risk assessment. Your office should have a dedicated person responsible for fire safety. Make sure that you appoint a person that knows what he/she is doing and takes the role seriously. The fire warden should be trained to carry out a fire risk assessment and make sure the fire-fighting equipment is up-to-date. 


In fact, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the appointment of a Responsible Person (RP) to carry out a fire risk assessment - including certain measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of a fire. He or she should identify the persons at risk and a record should be kept of significant findings if there are five or more employees in your office. These regulations are mandatory from 1st October 2006. 


6. Educating your employees. More than 76% of primary fires in the United Kingdom are caused due to careless handling of smoking materials and electrical equipment. That is why it is important to educate your employees about the importance of fire safety. All employees should be trained in fire safety. They should know how to identify hazards and prevent them. These are important fire safety tips for keeping your employees safe.