Did you know that more than 70% of businesses which have been involved in a major fire either do not reopen or subsequently fail within three years? Prevention is easier, and cheaper, than the recovery costs.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is compulsory for all businesses in England and Wales, as is the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 in Scotland. By completing a fire risk assessment of your practice, you lay the foundations for a fire-safe and compliant business.
It is not as hard to achieve as you might expect and can be achieved in five stages.
Five stages of a fire risk assessment
- Identify all potential combustibles and possible sources of ignition;
- Consider all the relevant people who are at greatest risk from fire;
- Remove or reduce the risks of fire as much as possible and provide precautions;
- Provide fire safety equipment, correct training, and have a plan of which everyone is aware;
- Record your findings and regularly review the assessment.
When you hire five or more members of staff, it is a requirement to have a written record that you have carried out the assessment. But even when you hire fewer than five, it is still good practice to prove that you are a responsible business owner.
Failing to comply with the regulations not only jeopardises lives and livelihoods, but also risks a hefty fine and a prison
sentence.
Fire haazards in your opticians
Make a note of all the things which could start a fire, and all the things which could burn. Electrical equipment, heaters, cooking equipment and naked flames are all possible causes of a fire. These risks can be reduced by simply ensuring that all equipment is regularly maintained and serviced to the manufacturer’s guidelines by professionals.
These also need to be kept a safe distance away from things which can burn like piled up boxes of stock, as well as paper, cloth, fabric, furniture, and flammable gases and liquids.
An overlooked risk within your opticians is the glass itself. Although sunlight and other light sources are generally not a fire risk, they are when it is refracted or reflected by glass onto something combustible. In 2015, London Fire Brigade attended 18 fires which were started by sunlight and glass, so take care when storing your lenses.
Identify who is at risk
Permanent taff and patients are, of course, the most likely to be at risk from fire, but do not forget about the temporary staff, cleaners, contractors, and other visitors to the business. Even those people walking past the store could be at risk.
Those who have mobility issues, such as the elderly and disabled may need a helping hand, as might children. Consider installing an evacuation chair to get people downstairs.
Evaluate and act
Install heat and smoke detectors, along with manual call points. When the alarm sounds, you will then need fire exit signs to direct people towards the nearest fire exit so that even those unfamiliar with your premises can escape. And you will probably find that emergency lighting will be required to illuminate the exit route, even when the power goes off.
Fire extinguishers are essential throughout the premises, making sure the correct type is located near the applicable risk. With a fire blanket in the kitchen area, anyone can stop a small fire from spreading.
Fire extinguishers should be located in hallways, treatments rooms, waiting areas, shop spaces, and staff-only parts of the building. Install the correct type.
- Water extinguishers are suitable for general fires including paper, cardboard, rubbish, and furnishings;
- Foam extinguishers can additionally be used for flammable liquids;
- Powder extinguishers are versatile, lighter, and safe to use around electrical equipment as well as flammable liquid and gas. However, they can affect visibility and breathing, so should be mitigated by a health and safety risk assessment if specified for indoor use;
- CO2 extinguishers are safest on electrical equipment and will also prevent further damage to the electronics.
Each extinguisher also needs an extinguisher identification sign installed just above it, and should be commissioned upon installation and then serviced annually by a trained professional.
Record, plan, train
Next, you need to put together a fire action plan for what everyone should do in the event of a fire: What is the best route out to the assembly point? Where is the assembly point? Who are the fire wardens? Who is going to call the fire brigade?
Select members of staff to be fire wardens who you know you can depend on, and make sure to pick enough so there is always at least one trained staff member present during opening hours, regardless of sickness, holiday or shift.
The best way to familiarise everyone with your plan is to carry out fire drills, ideally every six months.
Review
Once your fire risk assessment is finished, it still needs to be kept up-to-date. Many fire services in the UK recommend reviewing the assessment at least once a year.
The ultimate responsibility falls to the business owners. Many business owners choose to hire a professional risk assessor as it saves them time, as well as a headache.
For more information about fire risk assessments and fire safety equipment, visit www.fireprotection
online.co.uk.
Stuart Collyer is staff writer at www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk