It’s not unusual to find fire safety training low on the demands of an innovative start-up business or even an SME.
There always seems to be something more ‘urgent’ to deal with first. But what’s more urgent than finding new business premises because their existing one has burned down? And users may not be allowed to continue operating the business since failing to ensure the staff are protected against a fire outbreak is against the law.
Fire risk assessment
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states it is their responsibility, as the owner of a commercial or non-domestic premise in England and Wales, to minimise the possibility of a fire breaking out. Fire training should therefore be amongst the first tasks to consider when recruiting a team of staff - or even one other individual.
Other knowledge includes when it’s possible to tackle a fire and when to evacuate the building
What does fire training involve? To carry out a fire risk assessment, it’s essential to be able to show that the employees are trained to deal with the event of a fire occurring. This won’t only make them feel more confident but could potentially save their and their colleagues' lives. It also tells them that users are taking the matter seriously, potentially leading to further loyalty from their staff.
Fire prevention techniques
The training should include an emergency plan which shows staff how to act in the event of a fire and where their nearest assembly point is. They should also know how to operate equipment, such as a fire extinguisher, and how to open an emergency door. Other knowledge includes when it’s possible to tackle a fire and when to evacuate the building.
It’s not enough to train staff on a one-off basis. The training should be updated, allowing them to keep up with fire prevention techniques and information on modern fire-fighting methods and equipment. It also acts as a refresher course for staff who may have forgotten since the last time. Meanwhile, if users business has five or more individuals working for users, they must keep a written copy of the fire risk assessment.
