• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
0203 011 4242   
Contact us
Praxis42

Praxis42

Health and Safety eLearning Consultancy

  • About
        • Our valuesDiscover our values, aspirations and core competencies.
        • Meet the teamLearn about the Praxis42 team of compliance experts.
        • Case studiesExperience how our services support our clients.
        • ReviewsGenuine reviews and ratings from our clients.
        • AccreditationsOur professional expert accrediations, approvals and partners.
        • Terms and conditionsGet easy access to our terms and conditions documents.
        • CareersJoin the Praxis42 team and discover our current vacancies.
        • Latest resources

          • DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?
          • Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
          • What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?
          • Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris
          • Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
        • Latest courses

          • Safeguarding Adults at Risk £25.00
          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
  • Services
        • Products
        • eLearning CoursesAccess our extensive library of eLearning training courses.
        • Assessment ToolsInteractive health and safety assessment and evaluation tools.
        • SHINEDiscover SHINE – our complete learning management system.
        • Fire, Health and Safety HelpdeskA central point to access a competent person.
        • Hiscox Risk AcademyPowered by Praxis42.
        • Services
        • Audits and assessmentsEvaluate organisational compliance with on-site assessments and audits.
        • ConsultingDiscover our technology-led health and safety consulting services.
        • Bespoke trainingBespoke fire, health and safety training to support your organisation.
        • SaaSOur health and safety software as a service platform.
        • Topics
          • Fire safety
          • Food Safety
          • Building safety
          • Wellbeing
          • Workplace safety
          • Homeworking
        • Sectors
          • Manufacturing
          • Retail
          • Construction
          • Hospitality
          • Office
          • Telecommunications
  • eLearning
        • Complete library of coursesOur library of over 50 health and safety elearning courses.
        • Health and safety coursesProtect employees with our health and safety courses.
        • Wellbeing coursesPromote mental and physical wellbeing with our courses.
        • HR coursesImprove management and staff skills with our HR training.
        • Cyber coursesOnline courses to help you stay cyber compliant.
        • Food safety coursesEnsure food safety compliance with our food hygene courses.
        • Fire safety coursesProtect people and premises with our fire safety training.
        • Compliance coursesOperate safety in physical spaces with premises training.
        • Safety management coursesIOSH Approved safety management training courses.
        • Assessment ToolsInteractive assessments – from DSE to driver awareness tools.
        • Mandatory training coursesAccess the courses your organisation must provide employees.
        • SHINEDiscover SHINE – our complete learning management system.
        • Popular courses

          • Display Screen Equipment Training
          • UK GDPR and Data Protection Awareness
          • EMF and RF Awareness
          • Fire Safety Training
          • Manual Handling
        • Latest courses

          • Safeguarding Adults at Risk £25.00
          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
  • Topics
        • Building safetyDiscover our building and premises health and safety guides.
        • Display Screen Equipment (DSE)Manage risks associated with incorrect use of DSE through our resources.
        • EMF and RFStay up-to-date with our EMF and RF safety guides and advice.
        • Fire safetyAll you need to learn about fire safety and compliance.
        • Free Stress Awareness TrainingSupporting National Stress Awareness Month.
        • Food SafetyNews, advice and guides covering food hygiene and safety.
        • HomeworkingAccess our guides on working from home and employee safety.
        • WellbeingEmployee wellbeing industry advice, trends and support.
        • Workplace safetyGet workplace health and safety advice and access to support.
        • Latest resources

          • DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?
          • Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
          • What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?
          • Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris
          • Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
        • Latest courses

          • Safeguarding Adults at Risk £25.00
          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
  • Sectors
        • RetailHealth and safety issues that affect stores and retail premises.
        • HospitalityGuides, advice and support for hospitality organisations.
        • ConstructionNews, guides and support covering the construction sector.
        • ManufacturingManufacturing health and safety resources and guides.
        • OfficeDiscover how to enhance office safety with our expert guides.
        • TelecommunicationsLatest advice and guidance for the telecommunications sector.
        • Latest resources

          • DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?
          • Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
          • What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?
          • Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris
          • Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
        • Latest courses

          • Safeguarding Adults at Risk £25.00
          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
  • Resources
        • ResourcesComplete library of news, guides and advice.
        • BlogsAccess our latest guides, advice and industry articles.
        • WebinarsSign up to our latest webinars and access our archive.
        • Risk. Sleep. Repeat. – PodcastTune into our latest health, safety and risk podcasts.
        • VideosTake a look at our video library including our product demos.
        • Safety Made Simple – PodcastBreaking down different health and safety topics.
        • Fire, Health and Safety FAQsDeveloped by experts covering key queries.
        • Sectors
          • Retail
          • Hospitality
          • Manufacturing
          • Construction
          • Office
          • Telecommunications
        • Topics
          • Fire safety
          • Food Safety
          • Wellbeing
          • Homeworking
          • Workplace safety
          • Building safety
  • Client login
fire safety in the workplace

Fire safety in the workplace

Rob Sherman
30th March 2022

Fire safety is a vital part of employers’ responsibilities for ensuring their workforce’s health and safety. This guide provides a checklist of fire safety in the workplace measures to follow. 

A fire can be devastating for any organisation, and employers must take steps to prevent them. 

The main fire safety legislation affecting businesses in England and Wales is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, commonly known as the ‘Fire Safety Order’. It applies to almost all non-domestic premises, buildings, structures and open spaces.

In Scotland, the main rules are covered by the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. In Northern Ireland, it’s the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.

All the regulations place a duty on employers to assess, control and prevent the risk of fires in the workplace. 

Failure to comply can be hugely damaging. Of the 14,308 fires attended by fire and rescue services at UK workplaces in 2019/20, 17 people were killed, and 877 people were injured.

Buildings can also be badly damaged, resulting in expensive repairs. Employers face fines of up to £5,000 for minor breaches of the rules or unlimited fines and up to two years in prison for major non-compliance. 

Our fire safety training course helps you understand your responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and ensures everyone in your workplace knows the risk of workplace fires. 

How to ensure fire safety in the workplace

Fire risk assessments

Organisations are legally required to carry out a fire risk assessment. A competent ‘responsible person’ should be appointed to oversee fire safety arrangements and ensure risk assessments occur and controls are implemented.

The assessment must first identify fire hazards and who is at risk and then develop measures for removing or reducing the risks. Based on the assessment, you can also prepare an emergency plan, appoint Fire Marshals or Wardens and provide fire safety training.

Businesses with five or more employees must keep a written record of the fire risk assessment and make it available for inspections by fire and emergency services.

Read our detailed guide to fire risk assessments.

Fire Marshals

Workplaces should have at least one fire warden or fire marshal. They are employees who may be given responsibilities for maintaining fire safety precautions and helping with evacuations if a fire or an emergency occurs. They should be trained in fire safety awareness and their responsibilities typically include evacuations.

The number of fire marshals required in a workplace depends on the organisation’s fire risk level, the fire risk assessment and the requirements of the emergency plan.

Find out more about our Fire Marshal Training course.

Fire safety training 

Your employees should be trained in fire safety. They should understand common causes of fires, how to raise the alarm, who the fire marshals are and the emergency arrangements if a fire occurs. A fire safety course will give them the knowledge they need and can also form part of a blended learning approach.

New employees must be trained when they start work, and all employees must be told about any new fire risks.

Fire extinguishers

Fire-fighting equipment and extinguishers will be in place to aid an escape in the event of an emergency. Your risk assessment will help you decide on the type and number of fire extinguishers needed and with reference to published guidance.

The main types of fire extinguisher are:

  • Water – for wood, paper, textile and solid material fires (do not use on liquid, electrical or metal fires).
  • Foam – for liquid fires (do not use on electrical or metal fires).
  • Powder – for liquid and electrical fires (do not use on metal fires).
  • Carbon dioxide – for liquid and electrical fires (do not use on metal fires).

Everyone in charge of fire safety in the workplace should be trained in the different fire extinguisher types and how to operate them.

Read our detailed guide to the different types of fire extinguisher and how to use them.

Fire emergency plans

You should have a plan in place that tells employees what they must do if they discover a fire. It should outline what warning systems are in place, evacuation procedures and routes, and the fire assembly point.

Fire detection systems

UK fire alarm regulations require that all workplace premises have an appropriate fire detection system. This may include fire alarms, smoke alarms and sprinkler systems.

Fire detection systems may be triggered automatically or manually. If it’s the latter, employees should be trained in how to use them.

You should regularly check that fire, and smoke alarms are working.

Fire escape routes

Buildings must have sufficient and well-lit fire escape routes so people can leave safely if a fire occurs and offer protection where a risk assessment shows they are required. If emergency lighting is used, it should be tested regularly to ensure it is working.

Routes should be the shortest distance possible, and everyone should be able to use them or have arrangements in place to ensure that safe access can be achieved. In general, there should be alternative escape routes in a workplace.

You should always ensure escape routes are clear, the floor is in good condition, and fire exits can be opened easily.

Fire doors

Fire doors are required in many types of premises to help prevent the spread of fire and smoke or protect a means of escape. They are also a legal requirement for domestic flats which have common areas shared with other tenants.

Fire doors stop fires spreading through a building when they’re closed and provide protection to an escape route when they’re open. When someone uses a fire door during a fire, they are designed to automatically close behind them to prevent the flames and smoke from spreading.

You should make regular checks to ensure that doors close correctly.

Fire safety signs

Your fire safety checklist should include appropriate signage. These should indicate fire exit routes and assembly points, the location of fire-fighting equipment and explain what people should do in the event of a fire.

Signs should use approved pictograms, so they are easy to understand and take into account people with poor vision and those for whom English isn’t their first language.

Fire drills

Fire drills to practice your fire emergency evacuation procedures should be carried out at least once a year. If an evacuation route changes, a fire drill should be carried out as soon as possible rather than waiting until the next drill is due.

Waste, rubbish and flammable materials

Workplaces should be kept clean and tidy. A build-up of flammable materials, such as cardboard, can cause a fire hazard. It can also restrict access to emergency escape routes.

Hazardous substances should be managed as outlined by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.

Electrical safety

Electrical equipment can cause fires, so organisations should ensure proper measures are taken to prevent them. Under the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989), employers must make sure the electrical system is safe and is tested by a competent person.

Electrical fire hazards include faulty, overloaded or poorly maintained electrical distribution boards and systems, overloading plug sockets, and frayed, loose or damaged electrical cables. 

Read our guide to electrical hazards in the workplace.

Our Fire Safety Training helps ensure your organisation complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and supports organisational awareness on fire safety, fire hazards and fire prevention.

 

Primary Sidebar

Blog categories

  • Assessments
  • Compliance
  • Fire Safety
  • Food Safety
  • Health and Safety
  • HR
  • Mandatory Training
  • Safety Management
  • Wellbeing

Latest guide

Eye tests for employees - featured image

DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?

Learn more about eye tests for employees and employers responsibilities relating DSE eye tests, and optical health and safety ...
Read more

Latest course

Safeguarding Adults at Risk

Safeguarding Adults at Risk

Our Safeguarding Adults at Risk course aims to help you understand the importance of safeguarding adults at risk of harm ...
View course
Health safety assessments - main header image

Audits and assessments

Our professional risk assessments, audits and consultancy services help organisations comply with fire, health and safety and HR regulations.
Read more
Praxis42 Consulting services

Consulting

Discover how our fire, health and safety consultants can help your organisation with fire safety and health and safety compliance.
Read more

Sign up to our Praxis42 newsletter

Get the latest fire, health and safety news, guides, webinars, videos and podcasts direct to your inbox. Sign up now!

Related resources

Discover our library of expert guides, webinars and video.

Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
Video

Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it

This product demo will look at the ways you may be currently assessing the DSE risks in your organisation and ways you can streamline the process.
Read more
Display screen equipment regulations 1992
Blog

What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?

Read our guide on what Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 entail and understand the importance for employers to implement them.
Read more
Ep 11: Trust without condition - Christian Harris
Podcast

Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris

This conversation looks at how to move forward after a life-changing accident, dealing with internal pressure and the importance of trust and growth within business.
Read more
Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
Podcast

Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace

In this episode we look at common electrical hazards in the workplace, the legal requirements for electrical safety and precautions that should be taken. 
Read more
More posts Loading...

Footer

About Praxis42

We're the leading compliance organisation trusted by businesses nationwide to meet their auditing, assessment and training needs. We work with all sectors and size of organisation. We have extensive accreditation and decades of safety management experience.


Company no. 04152524 · VAT no. 770517529

Explore Praxis42

  • Home
  • About
  • Topic
  • Sector
  • Resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay up-to-date with the latest health and safety news, advice and offers.

0203 011 4242   info [at] praxis42 [dot] com

© 2023 Praxis42 Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsReject AllAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
CookieDurationDescription
__cf_bm30 minutesThis cookie, set by Cloudflare, is used to support Cloudflare Bot Management.
__lc_cid2 yearsThis is an essential cookie for the website live chat box to function properly.
__lc_cst2 yearsThis cookie is used for the website live chat box to function properly.
__oauth_redirect_detectorpastThis cookie is used to recognize the visitors using live chat at different times inorder to optimize the chat-box functionality.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
CookieDurationDescription
_calendly_session21 daysCalendly, a Meeting Schedulers, sets this cookie to allow the meeting scheduler to function within the website and to add events into the visitor’s calendar.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
CookieDurationDescription
_ga2 yearsThe _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_2905818_11 minuteSet by Google to distinguish users.
_gid1 dayInstalled by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
CookieDurationDescription
m2 yearsNo description available.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo