Too many firms coming up short on fire safety

Norwich Union Risk Services property risk specialist Martin Hartley warned that making equipment, such as fire extinguishers available was "not enough" and that staff needed to know when and how to use it, as well as how the various types of equipment worked.

Martin is part of a team of NURS risk advisers that visit over 30,000 UK business premises every year to identify shortcomings in risk management and to offer advice and solutions.

He told us: "Protecting the lives of staff as well as business property is paramount. Our research, along with anecdotal evidence, suggests that businesses may not be fully aware of their responsibilities.

"All staff should be familiar with the location of extinguishers, be able to select the correct type and operate one safely as a first aid measure - in case they need to.

"Adequate and appropriate training in the use of extinguishers is essential. Government fire safety risk assessment guidance indicates that 'the safe use of an appropriate fire extinguisher to control a fire in its early stages, can also significantly reduce the risk to other people in the premises by allowing people to assist others who are at risk.'

"Some businesses might not be getting it right. They may be unclear of the varying types of fire safety equipment available on the premises, let alone have knowledge of how to use one."

Colour coding

Martin went on to say that the ability to identify the correct extinguisher was particularly important since current standards (BS EN 3) required that extinguishers were virtually all red - although they should have a small colour coded area to identify the type.

"For example, water filled extinguishers (red coded area) can be used on paper, wood, and textile fires - powder extinguishers (blue coded area) on wood, paper, textiles, electrical hazards - and CO2 extinguishers (black coded area) on electrical hazards.

"To the casual observer all modern extinguishers look the same, but under previous standards the entire extinguisher was painted in a single block colour to identify its use. These older types can still be used - until no longer serviceable - but the two styles should not be mixed and the operating method should be standardised throughout any premises to avoid confusion on how they are operated."

He concluded: "The provision alone of fire fighting equipment is not enough. Staff should be adequately trained in order to determine which extinguisher can be used when and, most importantly, how and when it is safe to do so - for their own safety."

A two-page NURS 'hardfacts' guide (pdf) to fire extinguisher standards - which explains the colour coding and pictograms used on modern equipment - can be viewed/downloaded here.

NURS also provide fire safety training - NEBOSH Fire Safety Certificate, and a one-day course covering Fire Risk Assessment. Call 0500 55 99 77 for more information.