Approximately 423 fires occur in UK workplaces each week. This equates to over 20,000 workplace fires annually.
Employers have a duty to ensure the safety of their employees. Aspects relating to fire prevention and safety are no exception.
At ACI, we take health and safety seriously when undertaking office redesigns and fit outs. This includes our specialist services relating to fire safety, such as our fire rated mezzanines.
While not intended as a substitute for independent health and safety advice, here is an overview of who is responsible for using a fire extinguisher based on the latest guidance at the time of writing.
Fire Safety In UK Workplaces: Who Is The Responsible Person?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the fire safety legal duty falls on the “responsible person” for the premises.
This is typically:
- The employer in a workplace
- The owner, landlord or occupier of the building
- Anyone else with control of the premises (i.e. the facility or building manager)
The “responsible person” must:
- Carry out a fire risk assessment
- Provide appropriate fire safety equipment (including extinguishers if required)
- Ensure extinguishers are suitable for potential fire risks
- Maintain them (via annual servicing and regular checks)
- Provide staff with fire safety information and appropriate training
The responsible person must have adequate training and experience in the principles of fire safety. This includes understanding relevant fire safety procedures and precautions.
An essential part of their role involves the use of fire extinguishing equipment in the event of a fire.
Are Fire Extinguishers A Legal Requirement UK?
Yes, to comply with UK legislation, it is a legal requirement for all workplaces to have fire extinguishers.
UK fire extinguisher regulations state that all business environments are required to have a minimum of two ‘Class A’ extinguishers on every storey of the building.
Typically, they are located near exits and fire alarm call-points. They should be fixed to the wall or attached to a stand. If your business premise is quite small, then you may only need one fire extinguisher so that it does not hinder escape routes.
It is the responsible person who must ensure that extinguishers are not only provided, but that they are suitable and maintained. Additionally, the responsible person must ensure that staff are trained to use the fire extinguisher.
These requirements must be implemented under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, to minimise the risk to life from fire.
When To Use A Fire Extinguisher
In the event of a fire, there are a number of precautions to consider before you put a fire extinguisher to use:
- The fire is small and contained (for example, a waste bin or small appliance)
- You have a clear escape route behind you at all times
- You know which extinguisher type to use (water, CO2, foam or powder etc.)
- You’ve already raised the alarm (shout “fire” / activate alarm if there is one)
- The fire is not producing lots of smoke (smoke is extremely dangerous)
- You feel physically able and confident to attempt it
For example, if the fire is contained in a rubbish bin, it would be safe to use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. However, if the fire is already well established and there is a lot of smoke, it would not be safe to try and tackle the fire with a fire extinguisher.
When Should You Not Use A Fire Extinguisher?
- The fire is too large
- High levels of smoke in the air
- The environment is too hot or smoky
- Evacuation paths are impaired
Can Anyone Use A Fire Extinguisher?
Technically, yes, anyone can use a fire extinguisher.
However, it is strongly recommended that fire extinguishers are never used by anyone who hasn’t had the proper training.
The reason for this is that it is important to know which type to use for the fire. If the wrong type of extinguisher is used, this could lead to life-threatening consequences.
For example, using a water extinguisher where electricity is located could lead to electrocution. So, it is essential that the person knows where each fire extinguisher can be applied and the different types to look out for.
The Importance Of Fire Safety Training
As we touched upon above, it is essential to have the proper safety training to be able to operate a fire extinguisher. That’s because there can be serious safety risks associated with using a fire extinguisher incorrectly.
The responsible person for fire safety must be given effective training to perform fire safety measures accordingly.
Under the Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order 2005, the company or organisation is responsible for ensuring that its employees receive adequate training and development.
An important area of the training involves educating about fire hazards, fire risks and how to carry out fire risk assessments. Responsible person training is delivered in order to enhance their capability with fire prevention, fire detection and effective use of fire safety equipment.
How To Use A Fire Extinguisher
There are a few different types of fire extinguishers out there to choose from, and while most are used in the same way, some might be slightly different. With that in mind, make sure that you read the instructions on the extinguisher itself.
1. Find Your Exit
The first thing that you should do is make sure that you have a clear exit. This is going to help you if you can’t put out the fire and have to get out of the building or area before anything else happens. The best option is to have multiple exits to choose from in case one is blocked and you can’t make it to that location.
Consider this when deciding where to place your fire extinguishers too, as it will make it easier to determine your exit route when tackling a fire.
2. Keep Your Distance
One of the most common mistakes is getting too close to a fire with an extinguisher in the hopes that it’ll be more effective. Ideally, you should stand in the direction of the exit(s) that you identified earlier and try to position yourself between 6 and 8 feet from the fire in preparation for tackling the flames.
3. Trigger The Extinguisher
During an emergency like a fire, it can be difficult to stay composed and calm. It’s important to do your best to remain calm and remember your training. To help you, fire safety has an easy acronym: PASS.
P: Pull the pin.
A: Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the hose low and toward the base of the fire.
S: Squeeze the handle of the lever to trigger the extinguisher.
S: Sweep the nozzle side to side while aiming at the base of the fire until it’s extinguished.
4. Monitor The Situation
After you’ve managed to extinguish the fire, you need to make sure that you’re monitoring the situation. This means that you ensure any injured people get the help they need, keep everyone away from the source of the fire and watch to see if the fire ignites again. If the flames do start up again, repeat the PASS process above.
Who Can Inspect A Fire Extinguisher?
Any fire extinguisher required for a business premise must be serviced once a year. In addition, fire extinguishers must have regular monthly checks recorded. As part of the annual service, it must be inspected and certified by a fire protection equipment professional.
A ‘responsible person’, such as an owner or landlord, is expected to carry out the visual inspections of fire extinguishers to comply with legislation. This person is someone who is qualified through training and experience to conduct servicing and maintenance of fire extinguishing equipment.
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To find out more about our commercial interior services including our fire rated mezzanines, please send us a message or give us a call on 0115 697 1705.