Fire safety remains a critical concern for commercial business owners throughout the year. However, during winter, specific challenges require heightened attention. The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) reports that 60% of privately owned businesses fail to recover from the devastating effects of a fire. In light of these statistics, Total Fire Group offers essential fire safety recommendations designed for the colder months.
Indoor Heaters
Electric heaters are commonly used in workplaces during winter, with over 30% of employees reportedly using personal heaters at work. While effective for warming up spaces, they can present significant fire risks. It is crucial to ensure that all such heaters are Portable Appliance Tested (PAT) for compliance. Additionally, careful consideration of heater placement is necessary. Heaters should be kept away from furnishings and dry materials such as paper and packaging to avoid potential fire hazards.
Festive Decorations
As businesses embrace the festive spirit, decorations become a common sight in offices and commercial spaces. While they can enhance morale and festive cheer, they also pose fire risks if not appropriately managed. Business owners should evaluate decorations for flammability, ensure that fire exits remain unobstructed, and verify that fire safety equipment like extinguishers is visible and accessible. It may also be necessary to conduct new fire risk assessments and confirm that decorations do not obstruct essential ventilation on devices like computers and printers.
Lights
Fairy lights add to the festive décor, but users must ensure lights are purchased from reputable sources and comply with British Standards. Importantly, all decorative lights should be turned off before leaving the premises to minimize fire risks. Leaving lights on overnight is discouraged, as the heat can pose a fire hazard.
Evacuation Procedures
Winter weather brings variable conditions that can affect fire evacuation plans. Snow and ice may render assembly points slippery or inaccessible. Therefore, it is essential to review and adjust evacuation plans accordingly to ensure employee safety during emergencies. Preparations should address these challenges, ensuring safe fire evacuations even in adverse weather conditions.
Fire safety should be a top priority all year round for commercial business owners, but as they head into winter, it’s important to keep in mind fire safety and the unique challenges businesses can face during this period.
The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) estimates that 60% of privately owned businesses never recover from fire and its knock-on effects.
With that in mind, Total Fire Group is going to share some fire safety tips for winter that people and their businesses should keep in mind.
Indoor heaters
If one is going to use indoor electric heaters, one must ensure that they’re all PAT tested
Research shows that over 30% of employees have a personal electric heater that they use at work. So they’re pretty commonplace during the winter months.
Whether it’s to warm up a drafty reception area or to keep toes toasty under the desk, electric heaters in the workplace can be a major fire hazard.
If one is going to use indoor electric heaters, one must ensure that they’re all PAT tested to make sure they are compliant. Users also need to think about the placement of the heaters. Having heaters too close to furnishings can be dangerous, as well as being close to dry items like paper and packaging.
Festive decorations
It’s common for businesses to decorate their premises with festive decorations as they approach Christmas.
And while it’s a great way to boost employee morale and to get everyone excited for the festive season, it’s worth keeping in mind that decorations can become fire hazards.
Now they are not saying people shouldn’t decorate their business, but if they do, they need to run through a little checklist to make sure they haven’t created any extra fire risks.
Some things one should consider include:
- Are the decorations flammable?
- Are any decorations, such as a Christmas tree, blocking any fire exits?
- Are any decorations hiding fire safety equipment such as extinguishers?
- Do users need to do any new fire risk assessments?
- Are decorations covering any vents on electrical equipment, such as computers and printers?
Lights
Twinkling fairy lights are a common addition to business premises around winter but users always need to be sure that any lights they use to decorate their office have been bought from a reputable business and conform to the British Standard.
People should also make sure to always switch off any lights before leaving the office. Never leave Christmas lights on overnight, as the heat from the light bulbs could be enough to pose a fire hazard.
Evacuation procedures
Colder weather can bring about very different conditions, so users should make sure that their fire evacuation plans are effective all year round.
For example, during a spell of cold weather, fire assembly points may become slippery due to ice or be blocked due to excess snow. In this case, users would need to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of employees, especially during a fire evacuation.
