Fire prevention at work
Hundreds of workplace fires get recorded every year. The consequences can be devastating. With a solid fire prevention file, you can reduce the risks and will know what to do if a fire breaks out. From risk assessments and prevention measures to firefighting exercises and training: discover our approach.
What is workplace fire prevention?
As an employer, there are various preventive measures you must take to ensure fire safety at your organisation. Purpose of these measures:
- Preventing fires
- Evacuating people quickly and safely
- Fighting fires effectively
- Mitigating a fire’s harmful effects
- Facilitating interventions by emergency services
Exactly which measures should you implement? That depends on your organisation and infrastructure. For example, different rules apply for schools than in agriculture or horticulture.
Are you in compliance with legal requirements on fire safety?
Have our experts carry out a fire and explosion safety audit. They will thoroughly inspect your building and organisation for fire and explosion risks, check your systems, procedures and legislation, and provide clear improvement proposals.
What is a fire prevention file?
As an employer, you are obliged to have a fire prevention file and an internal emergency response plan. All the information about your organisation’s fire safety goes in this file.
Such a file consists of the following documents:
- Results of your risk assessment and preventive measures you are taking to avoid and control fires
- Internal emergency response plan defining the procedures to alert anyone present, coordinate interventions and fight fires
- Evacuation plans and emergency procedures so everyone knows how to leave the building quickly and safely and where the fire extinguishers are located
- Intervention file for emergency services containing useful information about your building’s location and layout, the presence of hazardous substances and water supplies and your fire compartmentation
- Reports of mandatory evacuation exercises and fire inspections
- Inventory of fire protection equipment such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and safety lighting, including a logbook for the required periodic inspections
Developing a solid fire prevention file
With a strong file, you will know exactly how to deal with a fire or fire hazards.
How do you protect your workplace from fire?
Increase employee awareness of fire and explosion hazards. Set up consultation structures to develop a fire prevention policy and carry out a risk assessment.
Implement prevention measures:
- Invest in safe work equipment and work practices.
- Avoid combining the three components of the fire triangle; oxygen, fuel and ignition source.
- Investigate and mark areas with an explosive atmosphere (ATEX zones).
- Have your electrical systems checked by an independent body every five years.
- Organise information and awareness campaigns.
Implement curative measures:
- Provide ways to detect, warn about and extinguish fires. Install fire extinguishers, detection and alarm systems.
- Adhere to fire compartmentation in your building to prevent the spread of fire.
- Create a solid fire prevention file.
Evaluate and adjust
Hold regular inspection tours and evacuation drills. Keep your risk assessment and fire prevention file up to date.
Why choose IDEWE?
- Expertise tailored to your industry - Whether you need to protect your farm, school or healthcare facility from fire, we offer support tailored to your industry.
- Complete peace of mind - From advice to implementation and follow-up, we will support you with every step so you can focus on your organisation’s core tasks.
- Practical training - We support both employers and employees with practical training courses tailored to your company.