7 Fire Safety Mistakes Putting Your Business at Risk

When it comes to preventing fires in commercial properties, there are some common mistakes we see businesses making time and time again. In this post, our fire safety engineers in Maidstone will show you the seven most common fire safety mistakes and how you can avoid them to keep your business and staff safe.

1. Not staying fire safety compliant

Many businesses don’t adhere to government guidelines and get regular fire risk assessments scheduled for their business. This is a legal requirement and the best way to prevent fires from happening. During a risk assessment, our fire engineers will do a thorough check and let you know about any potential fire risks your property has and the best strategies to minimise them.

2. Not having an adequate fire alarm system

An effective fire alarm system is crucial to keep your business and staff safe. However, not all fire alarms are suitable for all businesses. It’s important you have the right system for your building.

If you’re unsure whether your system is adequate, our engineers will check it for you and let you know if any areas aren’t properly protected by your current layout.

3. Not booking regular servicing

You need to schedule regular maintenance and servicing for your fire safety equipment to make sure it’s functioning correctly. Without this, how can you be sure your fire alarms and fire extinguishers are even working?

4. Failing to test fire alarms

Your fire alarms should be tested once a week to make sure they’re working. Set a specific time and day to test your alarms so your staff are prepared for the intrusion. If any of your alarms fail, it’s time to call our team to come in and find the fault for you.

5. Not carrying out regular fire alarm drills

Do you hold regular fire alarm drills for your staff? These should be done at least once a year so everyone is aware of what to do in the event of a fire.

Regular staff training is also needed so everyone knows where the fire exits are, how to use fire extinguishers, and the correct protocols in the event of a fire.

6. Not having a fire alarm binder

You should have a dedicated binder where you keep a record of your fire risk assessments, maintenance schedule, training protocols, etc.

If an auditor came to your premises to assess whether you are compliant, this will be extremely helpful in getting their seal of approval.

7. Having cluttered walkways

If your corridors are blocked with boxes and supplies, you have a serious fire safety concern. In the event of a fire, someone could trip and even become trapped. As the business owner, you would then be liable for damages and could face substantial fines.

Walkways should be kept clear and all fire doors regularly checked to ensure they are functioning properly.

Book a free fire safety survey today

If you want to know how to improve your business’s fire safety protocols in Maidstone, our team can help. We provide free site surveys and can give you our full assessment of how to improve your fire safety. Call now to arrange a consultation: 01622 882 311