Fire Safety in the Workplace

First published: August 29th 2018
Last updated: August 14th 2023

Fire poses a grave risk to any business.

An outbreak of fire will in many cases render a business unable to continue operations.

Fire has the potential to cause significant structural damage to premises, destruction of equipment and in worst-case scenarios, injury and loss of life.

Workplace fire safety

Employers must assess their workplaces to ensure the necessary protections are in place to reduce fire-related risks and to ensure their business is compliant with health & safety law.

The Irish workplaces which are most prone to fires are outdoor storage units followed by agricultural buildings.

Statistics also show that the principal causes of workplace fires are faulty electrical equipment and electrical wiring installations.

Risk assessments

So what must employers do to safeguard against the risk of fire? Taking the following steps will minimise the risk of workplace fire incidents and non-compliance with health & safety law:

• Carry out a fire risk assessment.
• Separate sources of ignition from sources of fuel.
• Ensure good housekeeping practices at all times.
• Ensure smoke and fire alarms are in good working order.
• Ensure appropriate fire-fighting equipment is readily available to extinguish a fire before it gets out of control.
• Ensure your employees receive appropriate training.
• Review and update your risk assessment regularly.

Maintenance of fire protection equipment

Fire protection equipment must be properly maintained. The continuing safety and protection of staff and occupants relies on fully functioning fire protection equipment such as fire detection/alarm systems, emergency lighting systems and fire extinguishing equipment.

Fire detection and alarm systems

The following periodic checks of fire safety systems should be carried out to ensure that fire detection systems are fully functioning.

• Daily: Check that the alarm panel indicates normal operation free of faults.
• Weekly: Test at least one operating point or end of line switch on each zone circuit to sound the alarm and operate any other warning devices.
• Quarterly: Test procedures should be carried out by the manufacturer, supplier or another person competent to do so.
• Annually: Test procedures should be carried out by the manufacturer, supplier or another person competent to do so.

Maintenance of escape routes

Occupants of a building cannot be evacuated quickly and safely if escape routes are obstructed or exits are locked. It's an essential element of fire safety management that all escape routes are kept free from obstruction and safe from smoke and fire. This can only be achieved if escape routes are not obstructed, if fire-resistant doors are kept closed (or automatic closers linked to a fire alarm are maintained) and if exit doors are functioning at all times. Escape routes should be inspected on a regular basis. Any obstructions on the escape route should be removed immediately and steps taken to ensure no further obstruction is allowed to occur.

Staff and management training

All managers and staff, including temporary and part-time workers, should receive training and instruction in the following:

• Fire prevention duties.
• Emergency procedures, including fire and evacuation drills.
• The layout of the building including escape routes.
• The location of fire alarm call points, and first-aid fire-fighting equipment.
• Where the business provides residential or sleeping accommodation, arrangements for the evacuation of residents and the location of places of safety.
• Arrangements for calling the fire brigade and the ambulance service. Arrangements for assisting the fire brigade.
• Fire control techniques including the use of fire extinguishers, fire blankets and hose reels, closing doors and windows to inhibit fire spread, shutting off electricity and fuel supplies where appropriate.
• The role of fire doors and the importance of not wedging or propping them open.

Use a Fire Safety Log Book

A simple and effective way to keep on top of tests, services, inspections, training and reviews is Peninsula’s Fire Safety Log Book.

The Fire Safety Log Book is designed to provide an annual record of the measures you have taken to ensure your fire safety arrangements are up to date and effective.

To learn more about protecting your business against the risk of fire, call us on 1800 719 216 or request a callback here.