Why fire risk assessment is important for your business.

[Neil Enslin]

Fire poses a major threat to all business and should be of prime importance to any CEO, managing director or owner of a company.

The consequences of a fire can be devastating, leaving a business in the same state as it’s burnt out premises, ruined. If operating in single premises the effects can be even more devastating. All fires start small, yet 60% of businesses never recover from small fires that increased in size or became uncontrollable.

This fact in itself should make fire risk assessment an essential component of the health and safety program.

For company’s who house there supplies and other integral business elements on their premises these fires can be devastating, resulting in loss of continuity, inability to invoice and could result in the doors being closed permanently.
The up side of this is that 75% of fires can be controlled without the aid of the local fire brigade, provided sufficient extinguishing agents are available and people are trained in the use of them.

An efficient assessment of the risk that fire poses to your business should regularly be carried out so as to maintain not only the safety of personnel but the continuity of your business. Although legal requirements in this regard are extensive we should be driven by a moral obligation to provide a healthy and safe working environment
.
The process of fire risk assessment involves the following:

 Identifying the various sources of ignition.
 Identifying the level of combustible materials present in the workplace.

The entire purpose of a fire risk assessment is to minimize the potential of a fire on your business premises and to this end all processes, products and operating methods should be evaluated by answering the following questions:

 What can lead to a fire?
 When can this happen?
 Where is this most likely to occur?
 How could it happen?
 Who is involved?

Risk assessments may take a few days or even weeks in order to get a true understanding of the patterns of work in your business.

If we can’t eliminate the hazards highlighted during these assessments then it is essential that measures be implemented to reduce the likelihood of them arising, and mitigating the outcome of the occurrence.

Based on the information gathered during the assessment process, the fire safety protocol, firefighting equipment and escape routes can be evaluated so as to ensure efficient and effective response in the event of a fire.

Some of the aspects to be dealt with during this phase of the assessment would include:

 Inspection routines – how often and where?
 Type of extinguishing agents available.
 People trained to use the equipment.
 Location and accessibility of equipment and escape routes.

A properly executed fire risk assessment will allow you to understand the possible causes of fires in your workplace as well as the elements associated both with fire prevention and protection, resulting in a more effective approach to reducing your exposure.

Fire control measures should focus on the following:

 A reduction in combustible material. (As a minimum separating this material from hazardous process sources and maintaining a solid housekeeping policy).
 Provision of extinguishing agents relevant to the type of fire.
 Provision of fire detection systems.
 Ensuring equipment is maintained and easily accessible.
 Training of staff in the use of the extinguishing agents.
 Evacuation procedures and fire drills.
 Storing backups of critical information off site.

Having a detailed report and action plan allows you to expend resources successfully, mitigating the risk of losing your business to fire. Fire is a risk that worries most employers, and a detailed assessment provides critical information allowing for this risk to be measured and controlled.


Source: Gavin Bruwer, InGa health and safety newsletter Volume 01-issue 07

[Abner]

Fire Risk Assessments are a crucial part of safety in the workplace...Commonly known fire hazards are Overloaded electrical system, Fuel store areas with high oxygen concentration or insufficient protection,Objects that block fire exits...Thanks for sharing the valuable information regarding Fire Risk assessments...It's really useful..

[Brian]

What are the guidelines or rules and regulations for the placing\positioning or location of fire extinguishers?.Obviously taking into account the different causes and types of fires.How many known different fires or causes of fire are there?

[Neil Enslin]

Hi Brain,

Sorry for only asnwering you now, but I was hoping that someone else from the forum might answer you but here we go.

If your a South African your can use the Environmental Regulation 9 for work places and Construction Regulation 27 for construction sites in the OHS Act of 85 of 1993. Furhter legisaltion that can be use is the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, no 103, 1977.

I hope this assists you.

[Brian]

Morning Neil.

Awesome thank you.I was basically wondering if there were specific rules or regulations applicable when it comes to the placing of fire fighting equipment.Other than as stated or specified in the regulations quoted.Where all it states is "Strategic locations" or as recommended etc.So the placing and actual location is up to one "sensible self"to determine what a suitable strategic location maybe.

I was thinking there may have been some rule here.Like you have to have so many of such type within specific distances etc.Relative to high fire risk locations.

Thank You

[Neels Nortje]

Your local Fire Department will come in handy here. They are normally more than willing to send a trained person to you to assist with this.

Also, the company service your equipment will be able to offer this kind of assistance. They will be able to do a risk assessments for for you to determine type, location and quantity.

Hope this helps as well.

[Jeremy R]

The last I worked with this in SA I had to go and do the Fire Prevention course. The fire prevention officer works on the SABS code (I can't remember exactly which one right now). I do have the code somewhere on my External HDD and will be more than willing to share it with those that might need it.

Drop me a mail and I will send it on as soon as I find it.

Regards

J