5 Steps To Improve Fire Safety
Fire safety is a vital element of property management and needs to be an ongoing top priority. Working to improve the current fire safety standards within your home and business can go a long way, not only in protecting the space and ensuring everyone is safe but also for peace of mind.
Fire safety is a part of UK building regulations and therefore cannot be ignored if you want to remain on the right side of the law. At Nomico Fire & Security, we offer professional servicing and maintenance of fire safety systems and have decades of experience in the industry.
Using our knowledge of fire safety standards, we are sharing some of the essential updates and services you need to invest in to manage a safe property. These tips are designed to improve fire safety within your home or business and create a safer environment for all.
1) Install Modern Fire Alarms
Fire alarms are often the first line of defence when it comes to fire safety and therefore a vital measure for residential and commercial premises. Fire alarms are designed to trigger early signs of fire, such as high temperatures or smoke, to allow for a prompt and safe evacuation from the building.
To improve fire safety, fire alarms have come a long way in recent years. There are many forms of fire alarms you can invest in, from traditional wired systems to wireless and remotely controlled alarms, to make it easier to protect your premises.
Nomico Fire & Security offers a comprehensive fire alarm installation service, where we will deliver a precise installation of fire detection systems based on your premises. It is recommended that fire alarms and sensors be placed on every floor of the building, as well as inside apartments, offices and other commonly used communal spaces.
Our engineers will deliver a complete installation, ensuring each space is protected to the highest standards, as well as helping you choose the best fire alarm system for your needs.
2) Regular Fire Alarm Testing And Maintenance
Having fire alarms installed is the first step to improve fire safety – maintaining them is also required. Regular testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems, which includes all sensors as well as the control panel, is needed to ensure they are in prime working order.
Fire alarm tests should be done weekly to ensure that your sensors are responding well and deliver a loud enough alter to support evacuation. A more complex inspection of the fire alarm system should be done annually by professional engineers to identify any issues and determine whether the current system is still fit for purpose.
Simply having fire alarms is not enough to improve fire safety, as you also need to ensure they continue to be in prime working order.
3) Practice Fire Drills And Escape Routes
Now that the fire alarms are installed and maintained, it is time to ensure people know how to behave when they are triggered. Practicing fire drills is a vital way to improve fire safety, both at home at in the workplace, as it prevents dangerous rushes in a real emergency.
By arming residents, occupants and employees with the right process for dealing with a fire alarm, you can avoid a last-minute rush and ensure that people are evacuating safely. Evacuation needs to be prompt but organised to improve fire safety forall individuals, and practising ahead of time can ensure this.
Make fire drills a part of your regular routine and update occupants of any changes that may impact the evacuation route. Ensure that everyone knows the meeting points and fire exits, so they can take the quickest, yet safest route out of the building during an emergency.
4) Cooking And Kitchen Fire Safety
From office buildings and commercial spaces to residential apartments, almost all buildings have a kitchen of some kind which means they all face similar fire safety hazards. It should come as no surprise that the kitchen is full of fire hazards, due to the hot surfaces, open flames, and flammable materials present.
Implementing kitchen fire safety is more than just setting some ground rules, as it requires action and ongoing training. Kitchen fire safety revolves around common sense rules, such as switching off appliances after use and keeping flammable items, such as dishcloths, away from hob burners, but some installations may also be required.
Fire alarms should be installed in the kitchen, along with sprinkler heads if you do have a fire sprinkler system in place. It is also recommended for fire extinguishers to be accessible in the kitchen, as they can quickly douse flames to prevent them from spreading. Make sure that fire extinguishers are up-to-date and fully functional through regular inspections.
Work to foster a building-wide culture of cleanliness in the kitchen, as debris and grease can be major fire hazards when left out and ensure that people understand the rules of fire safety in this area.
5) Keep Everyone Informed
Fire safety is everyone’s business, which means you need to keep your employees and residents informed of the methods you are implementing. Keep people informed of any upgrades and changes that are being done to improve fire safety, as well as the nationwide fire safety regulations of the time.
Host regular meetings regarding fire safety practices, and have posters and flyers around the building outlining what is expected to foster an ongoing culture of fire prevention. Make sure that fire safety is a part of the community and an ongoing conversation within your home or business.
People must be kept informed of fire hazards, safety measures and processes to help protect them during the worst-case scenarios.
Conclusion
Working to improve fire safety is a collective effort and there are several ways you can improve standards in your home or business. Ensuring that fire safety equipment meets current standards and is fully functional can ensure that safe, prompt evacuation is possible during an emergency. Likewise, keeping people informed and maintaining a safe, sensible culture regarding fire safety are key ways to protect the building and its occupants at all times.
At Nomico Fire & Security, we value fire safety and provide a range of solutions to support this. We take the risks of fire very seriously and our engineers are certified to deliver the best possible care across our services. Working with us ensures you, and your premises, are in safe hands.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about our fire safety measures or to request a consultation, please reach out to the team today.
