In all types of business across all sectors of industry, there is an ever-present risk of fire breaking out. Faulty electrical circuits or overloaded sockets can be a key cause of electrical fires and are one of the most common causes of fires in office and commercial buildings. However, there are a wide range of circumstances that can lead to a fire in the workplace that go beyond the use of electronic devices. Kitchen areas are also another key location for a fire breaking out. Busy staff members may forget to check on food that has been placed in an oven, which can quickly lead to a fire if left unattended. In addition, in some forms of industry, potentially hazardous chemicals are routinely used.
Some of these chemicals may be highly flammable and may pose a fire risk if improperly stored or handled. Thankfully, the incidence of fires starting due to the smoking of tobacco products has reduced dramatically in the last few decades. In most countries, smoking indoors at a place of work is now banned and there are designated smoking areas that are typically outdoors and on the outskirts of business premises (such as in car parks or a designated smoking shelter in the surrounding grounds). However, it is important to recognize that workplace fires are still relatively common occurrences. All staff must know what to do in the event of a fire. In this article, comprehensive information will be provided on what to do in the event of a workplace fire.
Preliminary actions for all companies
Firstly, it is important to consider that one of the most valuable actions in any company is to take steps to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in the first instance. In short, preventative actions can be vital in reducing the risk of a fire occurring in the workplace. Such preventative actions can include undertaking a fire risk assessment. Typically, a member of the health and safety team or a fire marshal will undertake this assessment. It involves assessing and documenting all hazards in the workplace that have the potential to cause a fire.
The assessment should indicate who is at risk (including visitors to the site and people who may be near the building). Steps should then be taken to minimize any risks or hazards that have been identified to reduce the likelihood of a fire breaking out. Fire alarms should be situated in prominent areas of the building along with suitable signage that instructs staff what to do in the event of a fire. Such signs are widely available from companies such as Seton who produce high-quality signage for a range of commercial uses. These signs can be a vital source of information when a fire breaks out, especially for new staff who may not be fully aware of where their nearest fire exit is. In short, such preliminary actions can help to reduce the risks of a fire breaking out and ensure that procedures are in place to deal with one should it occur.
Raise the alarm in the first instance
In any workplace fire, the first step to take is to raise the alarm. This will ensure that staff in the entire building know a fire has broken out. Typically, staff are alerted to a fire when a fire alarm is triggered. These should be placed around the building on walls and in areas where staff work. In most countries, fire alarms are considered essential health and safety technology, even if they are not specifically mandated by law. For example, in the US, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 dictates that workplaces must have the necessary fire detection equipment to keep staff safe from harm that is caused by a fire.
In essence, this means that American workplaces must have such devices. Fire alarms are typically triggered by breaking a glass panel and then pushing a button or pulling a lever on the device. The alarm should trigger in all areas of the building, enabling all staff and visitors to be instantly aware that a fire has broken out. All staff should know the location of the nearest fire alarm and how to operate it in the event of a fire. Ideally, this will form a small part of the fire training that comprises onboarding with the company or mandatory training.
Using a fire extinguisher
After setting off the fire alarm system, the next step is to determine if you can take steps to tackle the fire and extinguish it or prevent the fire from spreading. Typically, the main way to do this is by using a fire extinguisher. It is important to note that there are several types of fire extinguishers, and each is designed for use on a specific source of fire. For example, water-based fire extinguishers may be used on fires that have been started by paper, wood, or textile materials that have ignited. However, water-based fire extinguishers are not suitable for other types of fire, such as electrical fires, or for tackling fires that have been caused by cooking oils and fats igniting (such as in a staff kitchen when a pan has been left heating on a stove).
For cooking oils and fats, a wet chemical extinguisher should always be used. For electrical fires, CO2 extinguishers are commonly used, or an extinguisher that uses ABC powder. In short, choosing the correct extinguisher for the specific type of fire is incredibly important. An incorrect device may pose an additional risk to staff safety. All employees should receive training on the different types of fire extinguishers and their specific uses. In addition, there is a need to balance personal safety with attempting to put out the fire. If you are unable to extinguish the fire and it shows signs of spreading, it is vital to stop and exit the building. In many cases, the smoke from a fire can be deadly and you do not want to risk inhaling it for prolonged periods as you may lose consciousness and require medical assistance.
Evacuate the building
The next step in any fire plan is to evacuate the building. As previously mentioned, smoke inhalation can be extremely harmful to your health and can even lead to death. Move swiftly but safely to your nearest exit. You should be aware of your nearest fire exit as part of your preliminary training with the company. Avoid using elevators in the event of a fire breaking out. These can become damaged in the event of a severe fire and may not function correctly. Use the stairs instead if you are on an upper floor and it is safe to do so. You can test if the doorway to a stairwell is safe to open by placing your hand on the door. If it is hot, the fire has likely spread to this area, so seek another route out of the building. It is also important to remain calm when exiting the building. Walk swiftly but do not run, as you may be at risk of tripping over and falling, which could result in injury.
Leave your personal belongings
Briefly, it is important to state that you should leave any personal belongings at your workstation in the event of a fire. Put simply, belongings and possessions can be replaced, but you cannot. Stopping to collect treasured items will only slow down your escape from the building so leave them where they are.
Move to the designated fire assembly point
After you have exited the building, you will need to walk to the nearest fire assembly point. In smaller buildings, there may only be one assembly point, although larger firms that have expansive corporate premises may have several assembly points. This step is vital for employers and fire marshal staff so that a head count of employees can be undertaken. This will allow managers to ensure that all employees are out of the building and that no one has become trapped inside. Typically, a staff register will be consulted, along with visitor records for the day to cross reference and ensure that everyone is out. This information will be relayed to the fire crews who will arrive on the scene and is vital so that they know whether to search for people in the building as a priority.
A note on the role of fire marshals
Most companies will have appointed designated fire marshals in their teams. These staff members will have advanced knowledge of fire safety and the use of different types of fire extinguishers. They may also be involved in undertaking a head count once staff have evacuated the building and may be responsible for creating fire risk assessments and action plans. Speak to your local fire marshal if you have any concerns about the risk of fire developing on the premises. Additionally, you may wish to train as a fire marshal so that you can play a more active role in the company’s fire prevention strategy.
What to do if you become trapped in the building
In the event of becoming trapped in a building that has caught fire, it is incredibly important to stay calm. Panicking will not help you and may result in you hyperventilating, which will further limit your decision-making and personal safety. Ideally, you will need to get to a room with a window. If this window is on the first floor of the building you should lower yourself out of it and drop to the ground in a controlled manner.
Never jump out of a window, and ideally try to throw some soft material out onto the ground that will cushion your fall. If you are on a higher floor, it is not recommended to drop out of the window as you may sustain serious injuries. Call the emergency services from your mobile phone, giving a clear indication of what part of the building you are in and at what level. Finally, block any gaps under doors with materials so that smoke does not enter the room you are in.
