Fire is still as much of a threat today than it was 100 years ago. Although security and safety are often at the forefront of every business’ mind, fire detection may still not be as commonly thought of. All fire officials will tell you how important a few seconds is to save lives, as well as minimal property damage. Although safety measures will be in place to try and prevent fire in the workplace, it is important to have a system in place to warn people if a fire is caused.
GOV.UK says that it is required for a business to have a fire detection and warning alarm system in the workplace. It is a necessary outline in the fire safety risk assessment. Businesses must also make sure that the mechanism is properly installed in order for it to work properly.
When installing the system, make sure to consider the placement. The placement determines how successful the device is at detecting fire, as well as being effectively visible and audible of its warning. It is important to know that the proper placement will depend on the type of device and the layout of the building. The piece of equipment must also be placed at a safe distance from any lights, air conditioning vents, radiators and ceiling fans as these could cause inaccurate fire detection.
Fire detection systems must be tested weekly in order to know if the alarm is consistently working. If it is not regularly tested, this could cause an emergency to be undetected. The device should also be properly serviced, the frequency of the service will depend on the size and capacity of the device- although usually, this is every 12 months.
Although a business may have an appropriate fire safety risk assessment in place, it is crucial that you communicate that everyone takes instant action as soon as the alert is sounded. The system is there to detect a fire quickly so those inside the premises can leave the building swiftly- any delay can result in injury, damage and even loss of lives.
Here at WINNS Services, we pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and working with clients to offer the best solution to their queries. If you have any questions regarding the fire detection services offered at WINNS or would like a quote, please do not hesitate to call us on 01702 719100 or email us at info@winnsservices.co.uk
