Protect small business against fire hazards

Did you know that the average cost of burglaries across the lifespan of a business costs a painstaking £13,750 (an average of £3,000 per crime or fire), which is a substantial financial loss to an SME. For some, this could mean the difference between success or failure; so, what can you do to protect your business against a fire hazard?

The first place to start is with a fire risk assessment. This is a legal requirement in England and Wales (and its equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland) under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and it applies to all UK businesses with very few exceptions. The assessment must be 'suitable and sufficient', and that means just those things. Ask yourself: “Is the risk assessment reflective of the scale of the task and contain enough information that it will do the job that is asked?’ The assessment should consider all aspects of: the building structure and composition, people, processes, fitted systems and contents. 

At these times, one must consider those most at risk, specifically persons with disabilities. Their needs must be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 which states that all businesses must be 'anticipatory' and make 'reasonable adjustment'. Even though you may not employ someone with a disability, you should consider their future needs of employees and indeed visitors. Adjustments such as installing a hearing loop at reception for example will help to cater for any who may have a hearing impairment. This would be seen as both anticipatory and making reasonable adjustment.

Don’t worry if you don’t have the necessary in-house skills, training or experience to create a competent fire risk assessment – you can hire experts who can be sub contracted to complete one on your behalf. However, it is the responsibility of the building owner or main occupier (in other words the ‘Responsible Person’) to arrange this assessment and ensure that the consultant is suitable, (a register of suitable independent assessors can be found via the Fire Industry Association or the Institute of Fire Engineers websites), also that any recommendations made are actioned. 

RISK & PLANNING

What to consider 

Everyone, even if self-employed, has a legal responsibility to conduct a fire risk assessment and if you employ five or more people it is a requirement that your fire risk assessment is written down and documented. It’s also good practice to document your findings for future reference and accountability.

Failure to do this can come with very hefty penalties: up to two years in prison and a £5,000 fine for minor infringements. Also, in most extreme cases can lead to custodial sentences and unlimited fines for more serious transgressions. 

The assessment should include floor plans that show evacuation routes from each floor, along with fire exits, places of refuge and external meeting points at a final place of safety. An additional floor plan designed to aid the fire service should show the building layout as fire zones and include a description of any special hazards, along with access and exit routes. The fire plan should also specify how the fire detection and alarm system operates. The fire alarm system should be automatically connected to an ‘Alarm Receiving Centre’ so that a response can be affected via key holders and the fire brigade during unoccupied periods.

The findings of the fire risk assessment will cover all aspects of prevention, detection and evacuation with both passive (fire doors, fire stopping and signs) and active (detection, sprinklers and emergency lighting), being key considerations as part of the technical solution.

POLICY

What is your company policy on fire?

Your fire safety strategy must be far reaching and consider all aspects of persons, the building and operations within. There must be a policy for looking after visitors and anyone unfamiliar with the building in the event of a fire. Also, the threat of arson should be considered and if the level is shown to be medium or high, appropriate security should be put in place in addition to the fire alarm system. These measures could include both physical (barriers, locks and fencing), and electronic (CCTV, access control).

Good housekeeping is crucial to a succinct fire strategy. Making sure that exit routes remain unobstructed, paints and flammables are locked away in suitably labelled areas, hot work permits are used, rubbish isn't allowed to build up and everyone is trained in fire safety. 

It is also a legal requirement to have all fitted systems regularly and competently maintained. This doesn't just mean the fire alarm system, but every other system which also forms part of the overall fire safety strategy, such as the access control system unlocking doors when the fire alarm system activates, or CCTV cameras which are installed as a deterrent to the threat of arson.

It sounds obvious, but the fire detection and alarm system must be reliable. It should have the capability to determine between real fires and the many sources of false and unwanted alarms. If a system has high levels of false alarms, people inside the building will lose faith in its abilities and may stay put when they should evacuate. Regularly testing your alarm and evaluating your alarm system should help aid in this. 

Even with a modern, well-designed, installed and maintained fire alarm system, good housekeeping and a robust fire prevention strategy, there is no guarantee that you won't have a fire. How critical might that be to your business? Well, there is no point in evacuating everyone in three minutes to stand at the assembly point and watch the building and their livelihoods burn to the ground. Every business should have a Business Continuity Plan as part of the overall strategy. What needs to happen the morning after a fire? What about  a PR statement to give  confidence that your recovery will be addressed as soon as possible – this will discuss who will man the phones, or even conduct a structural survey. Also, what part might your suppliers play in your recovery plan?

Setting up on your own as an SME is a big decision with many considerations to think of when trading. When it comes to fire, a price cannot be put on you and your team’s safety, so invest upfront and let someone else take on the full burden of protecting your physical business assets, ensuring your hard work doesn’t go to waste.

For more information on ADT’s security products, including ADT Smart Business, please visit https://www.adt.co.uk/business-security.