When thinking of fire safety, most people consider things like candles that are left burning, faulty wiring in a home, kitchen appliances that may catch on fire or blocked fire exits in buildings.
Some of the biggest risks to businesses can start with what appear to be small issues.
A cluttered corridor. A phone charger left plugged in. A cardboard box stored beside a heat source. Each of these items individually seems harmless. Together, however, they can be a threat to your safety.
Clutter can become a serious problem. Many offices have clutter as a result of the accumulation of boxes and storage cupboards that become filled with documents and files.
Combustible materials that are located near heat sources can be hazardous in terms of creating fires. Also, clutter within a building makes it difficult to exit the building in case of an emergency.
A clear route is more than just visually appealing; it can also have an impact on performance.
Don’t ignore overloaded sockets. There are numerous electrical devices present in both the workplace and within the home. These devices include laptops, kitchen appliances and many other items that require electricity to function properly.
If you need to use several appliances at once in a room, it’s tempting to grab an extension lead. However, overloading your electrical sockets or using damaged electrical equipment can create a fire hazard.
Even an extension cord that is placed under a desk may appear to be harmless. However, it should be inspected for any signs of damage.
Kitchens deserve extra care. Another common source of heat in an office or restaurant is the kitchen.
However, some of the most common problems that can happen within a kitchen are the result of the smallest of issues. For instance, grease can accumulate upon the cooktops of the kitchen, appliances can be left unattended for extended periods of time and combustible items can become too close to the kitchen’s cooking equipment.
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home and keeping it clean and using all of the appliances that are installed correctly can help to minimise the potential risks within that room.
Small changes can make a big difference.
One of the most useful things about a fire risk assessment is that it encourages people to look at their surroundings differently. For a Fire Risk Assessment Bristol, visit keloscape.co.uk/areas-we-cover/fire-safety-consultancy-bristol/
Beyond simply asking whether there is a chance of the building catching fire, it is also important to consider what could start such a fire and how far the fire would travel within the building before those people are able to escape from the structure.
Do not wait for a small problem to develop into a serious one. Regular checks of your premises and good housekeeping will help to identify potential hazards and prevent them from developing into more important problems.
