Fire safety is anconcern that should be high on the agenda of any business, large or small. Most companies would benefit from professional assistance in this area so if you are worried about fire safety Kent is an area where businesses supplying thisessential service can be easily found.
What are thefundamental principles of fire, how does it spread and how should I minimise the risk of fire in line with legal obligations?
Fire is the result of combustion, i.e. the process by which oxygen combines with some form of fuel in the presence of heat or a source of ignition. Generally known as the FIRE TRIANGLE, it follows that if any of these essential elements is absent, fire cannot exist.
If it is already present it will therefore be extinguished and if absent, it cannot start. In their simplest form, fire precautions therefore are focussed on the requirement toreduce oreliminate one or more of these components.
Fires are described according to fuel types into five classes: Classes A, B, C, D and F and thevariety of extinguisherneeded to control any fire depends on the class of fire present or predicted.
Fire spreads by four processes:
- convection – hot air rising and moving through air;
- conduction – heat transferring along conductors such as metal pipes;
- radiation – the spread of heat through air without direct contact;
- direct burning – contact and heat transfer between substances.
Alarmingly, around one third of fires in the UK are the result of arson and over 70% of businessesgo under as a direct outcome of a major fire.
THE REGULATORY REFORM (FIRE SAFETY) ORDER
Thiscritical legislationidentifies the need to carry out a fire risk assessment – ‘An organised and methodical look at your premises, the activities carried out there and the likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the premises’.
To learn more about this very important legislation on fire safety Kent is an area where many well qualified consultants can be found.
The RRFSO specifies a ‘Responsible Person’, the identification of who will vary according to site-specific situations, but who isexpected to ensure safe arrangements for fire risk assessment, control measures and emergency procedures. There may be one or more Responsible Person, but if more than one (e.g. on shared premises) each must work with the others as far as is required to ensure ‘Compliance’.
The RRFSO also identifies a ‘Relevant Person’ i.e. anyone who may be lawfully on the premises, or nearby, or who may be at risk in the event of fire. The risk assessment should include a plan of the site, indicating principle ignition sources, electrical appliances, heating plant, location of hazardous processes, waste disposal areas, electrical mains switches, gas control valves and fire extinguishers.
In summary, fire clearly represents a considerable risk to allenterprises and an awareness of the risks involved isvital.
Taking the proper measures to protect your business against fire dangers may be one of the best investments you make – don’t wait until it’s to late!