There's no question that fires can have a disastrous effect on a business. Together with causing a significant risk to human life, fires can ravage properties and expensive equipment, and inflict a substantial amount of lost revenue through costly and lengthy repairs. As a result, there’s no surprise that there are precise requirements when it involves commercial fire safety in Australia. Business managers should include a thorough fire safety plan for their workplace and make sure all team members are educated in these fire safety procedures. Even though there are typical fire safety equipments such as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers which are required by law, there are also some practical tips that business managers need to know to make sure that all team members are safe and any damage to resources or property is reduced in the event of a fire. Perform A Fire Safety Audit
First and foremost, the best way to ensure the safety of your staff members is to recognise potential fire hazards around the office by employing a fire protection specialist. These experts have the capacity to not only determine potential fire risks, but they will also ensure that the most appropriate solution is installed to alleviate any damage caused by a fire. Every office is distinct, and so are the fire hazards, but general fire hazards include absent or out of date fire safety equipment (for instance fire extinguishers), electrical equipment, locked exit doors, blocked walkways, and malfunctioning exit lights. Provide Team members With Sufficient Fire Safety Training Upon induction, all staff must be trained in the relevant fire safety procedures and how to properly use fire equipment, namely fire extinguishers. It's paramount that all employees know how to respond to a fire emergency, the evacuation procedures, and which fire extinguishers are suitable to control small fires. Don’t forget that using the wrong fire extinguisher can be extremely dangerous. There should also be an appointed fire warden for each building that is accountable for the safety of all occupants, including notifying fire emergency services and ensuring all occupants exit the building safely. Routinely Check For New Fire Safety Regulations It's vital that business managers design a fire prevention plan based on the 'Planning for Emergencies in Facilities' as per Australian Standard AS3745: 2010. It's normal for new legislation to be introduced that business managers need to be alerted to, so keeping up to date with these standards is crucial. New legislation can be introduced regarding fire protection equipment, maintenance, and training, so it's best to keep in regular contact with your fire protection expert. Make sure that All Fire Equipment Is Routinely Serviced And Maintained Fire equipment is only effective when they are regularly serviced and maintained, so it is very important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines in regards to how often your equipment requires service and maintenance. If you're not sure, seek advice from your fire protection specialist who will be able to supply you with a schedule for service and maintenance of your fire equipment. The Australian Standard AS1851-2012 'Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment' should be followed, so regular testing can determine any issues that can result in malfunctioning equipment which should be remedied straight away. Prevention Is The Best Protection Irrespective of which building your office occupies, there are certain fire prevention checks that you should conduct regularly. The following steps is a standard guideline that covers most buildings:
While business managers are accountable for the safety of their team members, keeping abreast of all the related fire safety regulations can be challenging and time-consuming, given that new legislation is introduced on a regular basis. For this reason, it's recommended that business managers employ a fire protection specialist who can provide professional advice regarding all fire safety issues and training. If you require any additional information or would like some assistance regarding fire safety in your office, phone King Fire Protection Services on 1300 344 966, or alternatively visit their website: http://www.kingfire.com.au/
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