When a fire breaks out, fire safety equipment should be available to tackle the incident. Fire extinguishers need to be placed near fire exits and strategically positioned on evacuation routes, such as stairs. As a business, it is your responsibility to make sure that fire risks are mitigated and that the right type of fire safety equipment is in place. Using the wrong one could worsen the situation.

What Are The Different Types Of Fire Safety Equipment?

Types of fire safety equipment include fire blankets, fire alarms, fire exit signs, and emergency lighting. Everyone in a premises must know which the right piece of equipment is to use for each category of fire.

Fire drills should be done on a regular schedule to keep everyone prepared to act if a fire breaks out.

So, what are the different types of fire safety equipment?

Fire Extinguisher

There are 6 main types of extinguishers:

·         Water: Use on class A fires, combustibles such as wood or paper. Not to be used on electrical appliances. Identified with a RED label.

·         AFFF Foam: Use on Class A fires and is safe to use on electrical equipment. Identified with a CREAM label.

·         Carbon Dioxide: Use on Class B fires, flammable liquids, and electrical fires. Identified with a BLACK label.

·         ABC Powder: Use on A, B, and C fires (C class fires, flammable gases) BLUE label

·         De – Ionised water Mist: Use all Class A, B, and C fires. WHITE label.

·         Wet Chemical: Use on Class F fires (combustible cooking media E.g., cooking oil) YELLOW label.

All these appliances need regular servicing.

Alongside fire extinguishers there are other different types of fire safety equipment, these are:

Fire Blankets

These are a sheet that is used to smother a fire, starve it of oxygen, and put the fire out before it gets out of control. These are typically found in kitchens but are also used in schools, industrial, and residential locations.

Fire Alarms

Fire alarms are installed to give a warning that a fire has broken out. To comply with Fire regulations a comprehensive wired-in system of detectors, plus a control panel should be required. The system will raise the alarm by an audible signal, loud enough to be heard through the building, with multiple sounders if necessary.

The purpose of visual alarm devices, utilising strobe lights, is to alert people of a fire emergency and are used if they are necessary to aid the evacuation of the building. As with all alarm systems, regular maintenance checks should be carried out.

Signage

Of the types of fire safety equipment, signage may be underrated in importance. Signage is a way to give information that will aid fire safety. Fire extinguisher ID signs next to the appliance tell you how and on which fires to use them. Signs for fire exits, fire doors, and escape routes are also essential to ensure quick and safe evacuation in the event of a fire.

Sprinklers

Sprinklers are set on the ceiling to automatically disperse water in the event of a fire if it is not in an environment where electrical fires are common. This will help to smother the fire and will keep it contained until help arrives.

First Aid Kits

All business premises need to have a first aid kit for the health and safety of their employees, and homes should also keep one. The contents of the first aid box need to be checked regularly as some items in them go out of date and need replacing. These contain bandages for burns and creams to minimize burn damage.

Log Books And Documentation

Fire extinguishers need to have annual checks to ensure they are in working order. Premises should have a fire risk assessment to correctly evaluate their fire protection needs. Regular fire drills are a must to maintain fire safety for any business.

A record needs to be kept of all these actions as, if a fire occurs the authorities may want to check that fire regs were followed. Keeping logs and any documentation to support them is best practice.

Using the services of an established fire protection company, Northants Fire, for example, will cover all your fire safety equipment needs. Northants Fire, starting with a Fire Risk Assessment can provide a complete solution to reduce the risk of fire accidents, providing all the types of fire safety equipment for your establishment. They will support you with online or onsite training and maintenance.

Contact now via the website or by calling 01604 760 600 for further information and support.

The UK enjoys a temperate climate which means natural disasters like wildfires are few and far between compared to our European neighbours, but that doesn’t mean the risk is completely gone. In fact, as climate change begins to change our weather systems and our summers get warmer and dryer, the risk of forest fires increases.

In this blog, we’re going to detail 5 ways to prevent forest fires that you can take note of to help reduce the spread and minimise the damage should you come across one.

How to Prevent Wildfires in the UK 

The number of forest fires in the UK varies year on year, with 2,500 reported between 2009-10 and 9,000 reported between 2015-16. Most are small, but devastating fires do happen. In 1995, 2003, 2011, and 2019, the UK had much drier and warmer weather, resulting in more wildfires from the dead vegetation and exceptionally dry ground.

The risk of wildfires increases in summer due to the warmer weather, and as climate change continues to worsen, it’s likely we’ll see an increase in the number of natural wildfires. That being said, there are a few steps you can take to help prevent forest fires.

1.     Extinguish Campfires After Use

If you’re camping and start a campfire, make sure you keep all camping equipment and tents away from the fire, and make sure you don’t continuously add fuel to the fire, either. When finished, ensure you fully extinguish the fire using water or ashes, taking care to completely extinguish every ember. When lighting a fire, be sure to clear forest debris such as branches away as they can fuel the fire.

2.     Be Cautious with Fireworks

 Fireworks can be incredibly dangerous if not let off correctly. If you’re going to use fireworks or sparklers, only do so in a large open area that is free of flammable debris. Also ensure that you have permission to do so.

3.     Report Fires 

It’s not uncommon for people to burn rubbish or start campfires, but if you see a fire that is unattended or that looks like it’s out of control, make sure you report it by calling 999 or contacting your local fire station directly. Even if the fire looks small, it can still spread quickly and cause lasting damage.

4.     Keep up to Date with Fire Risks in Your Area 

Make sure you keep on top of the weather forecast in your local area to check for any fire warnings. We will issue a warning that may mean you need to steer clear of the area or refrain from activities that could lead to a forest fire. Follow us or your local fire department on social media to stay up to date. Follow our Facebook or Twitter now.

5.     Exercise Caution with Flammable Liquids 

Our final of the 5 ways to prevent forest fires is to ensure you are cautious with flammable liquids. If you need to refill a stove, heater, or lantern with propane, make sure you do so when the equipment is completely cool, and fill them outside your tent rather than inside. Keep flammable liquids away from fire sources.

These are five small yet effective ways you can prevent forest fires and prevent existing fires from spreading or getting out of control, but if you’re in doubt, contact your local fire station. Call us today (01604 760 600) for more information about keeping safe outdoors in the summer months.

A fire breaking out in a warehouse is one of the nightmare scenarios for a business. So, it’s no surprise that businesses are keen to minimise the risk of fires. Companies need to take their fire safety seriously, especially in a warehouse environment. You need to have a good idea of what causes warehouse fires to start so that you can put measures in place to minimise the risk.

As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure” and this is also true for fires. By researching the causes of warehouse fires, puts you in good stead to prevent them in the first place.

What are the most common causes of warehouse fires?

Here we take a look at some of the major causes of warehouse fires, as well as how to prevent them from breaking out.

§  Fires that are set intentionally– It is unfortunately the case that one of the most common causes of warehouse fires are those that are caused by arson.

§  Problems with electricity and lighting- These are major causes of fires usually started by electrical and lighting equipment.

§  Heating equipment- Can easily catch fire if something overheats.

§  Exposure- This is a specific firefighting term that refers to materials that are combustible but that are not currently on fire. 

§  Smoking material- People who smoke indoors or near to flammable materials.

There are many things that businesses can do to minimise the risk of fires occurring.

What to do if your warehouse catches fire?

If you spot a fire the most important thing is your personal safety. The fire should be reported to ensure the safety of all the staff on the premises, and possibly alert the fire brigade. If it’s safe to tackle the fire, make sure you use the right type of fire extinguisher.

There are 4 different categories of fire extinguishers and it’s essential that you use the correct one.

§  CO2– class B extinguishers are used for fires that break out due to electrical faults.

§  Water– used for class A fires. These are fires that break out from combustibles such as wood or paper.

§  Powder– These blue labelled extinguishers work for classes A, B, and C as the powder dispensed covers the area to remove any oxygen.

§  Foam– This is safe for combustible objects such as wood or paper, but it’s also safer for use around electrical equipment.

The correct use of fire extinguishers is a routine part of fire training in the workplace.

This can be accessed through the fire brigade or from fire management companies, for example, Northants Fire – fire risk assessment Northampton.

How to avoid warehouse fires

Fire Risk Assessments – it is a legal requirement to have a fire risk assessment. It’s advisable to have professionals manage this process for you to ensure that it is carried out correctly. Northants Fire offer fire risk assessments in the Northampton area.

Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms – you should ensure that you have smoke detectors installed across your warehouse paying special attention to any areas that may be vulnerable to a fire breaking out.

Fire Extinguishers – you should have fire extinguishers of all appropriate types dependent on location. However, it’s important to note that fire extinguishers should only be used for the appropriate types of fire, so you’re likely to need more than one type in each location.

Summary

In the event of a fire, personal safety is paramount. Only if it is safe to do so, should you fight the fire using the right class of equipment. If you are unsure, then leave it to the professional fire fighters.

Preventing fires before they have the opportunity to start is the best policy, with a thorough risk assessment and following professional advice. Preventive measures include smoke detectors and fire alarms, these need to be serviced and tested regularly. Contact us today to book a risk assessment.

It’s essential that you fully understand the likely causes of fire in the property based on the activities that take place there. This can help you select the correct type of fire extinguisher and train the people in the property how to use each individual one to help properly fight a fire in times of need.

What Are The Different Types Of Fire Extinguishers?

There are lots of different types of fire extinguishers and each is tailored to work best when fighting different sorts of fires.

Water

This is the most common type of fire extinguisher used for class A fires. These are fires which break out from combustibles such as wood or paper. The water extinguisher isn’t a good fit for office spaces where there are electrical faults as this may cause more safety issues. These extinguishers will be identifiable by their red labels.

AFFF Foam

This is safe for combustible objects such as wood or paper, but it’s also safer for use around electrical equipment as it suffocates the flames with a foam, rather than cooling with water. The foam extinguishers have a cream label.

Carbon Dioxide

These class B extinguishers are used for fires which break out due to electrical faults. The CO2 deprives the source of the flames of oxygen, which is something that a fire needs to spread. The CO2 extinguishers have a black label.

ABC Powder

These blue labeled extinguishers work for classes A, B and C as the powder dispensed covers the area to remove any oxygen without aggravating the source of the fire or nearby combustibles.

De-Ionised Water Mist

This extinguisher has a white label and can be used for any fire from class A, B or C as it cools the fire using a water mist which is fine enough to not create sparks or electrical faults if it falls on sockets or other electrical equipment and ports.

Wet Chemical

Wet chemical extinguishers identified by their yellow label, work best on class F fires which are used by chemical processes or kitchen malfunctions – deep fat fryers for example.

What Happens If I Use The Wrong Type Of Fire Extinguisher? 

Using the incorrect type of fire extinguisher can actually worsen a fire or make it more dangerous. For example, if you use a water extinguisher in an area with a lot of electrical equipment, even a fire that was started through combustible materials may develop into an electrical fire.

This will require more specialist care and equipment to put out the fire, meaning it is likely to grow while you’re waiting for the fire brigade to arrive. This could put other people in danger and may contribute to more property damage.

If you’re unsure of how to fight a fire or don’t have the correct type of extinguisher available, it’s always better to close all the fire doors to prevent a spread and call the fire brigade. This will ensure you contain the fire and prevent as much damage as possible.

If you need more advice about fire extinguishers or need to get one installed, please contact us for more details.

Fires are one of the deadliest killers and can break out easily if you aren’t careful of fire hazards. A fire can break out in your home or working environment when you least expect it and it’s important that you are prepared.

You should always have an extinguisher nearby and understand the fire evacuation procedures. Most importantly though, if the worst should happen and you do get caught in a fire, you need to consider fire burn prevention.

What to do if Your Clothes Catch Fire?

If your clothes do catch fire, it’s a natural reaction to panic. However, to ensure fire burn prevention, you should try to remain calm and follow some of these tips:

Stop, Drop & Roll

This is the classic tip that you’ll hear from all fire safety professionals. If your clothes catch fire, you should:

·        Stop what you’re doing.

·        Drop to the ground, covering your face if you can, to prevent the fire spreading to this sensitive area.

·        Roll over on the source of the flame until the flame goes out.

Remember, fires need oxygen to grow and spread. Rolling on the floor prevents oxygen getting to the fire and snuffs it out.

If you run, you’re only providing more fuel for the fire, meaning it’ll spread more quickly.

Fire Blankets

If someone in your vicinity catches fire, you may be able to locate a fire blanket.

Fire blankets are usually contained in red boxes next to doorways or above fire extinguishers in rental properties or commercial buildings. It’s unlikely that you’d have one in your own home.

To use a fire blanket, simply tug on the straps to pull the blanket out of the holder. You should then wrap the blanket around the person on fire during their stop, drop and roll procedure. This smothers the flames and stops them from growing.

As soon as the fire is out, allow the areas to cool and call 999 as soon as possible, speaking calmly so that they can send help as quickly as possible.

Minimise the Risk of Fire

The most common place for a fire outbreak is in your own home. There are lots of everyday items around you that can cause flames to break out.

To minimise the risk of a fire, you need to ensure you regularly check for and remove risks.

·        Always ensure that you don’t stand too close to your hob when cooking. Having long sleeves or baggy clothing near an open flame is asking for trouble.

·        Chemicals such as paints or fertiliser are usually placed inside your shed or outbuilding and forgotten about. On a hot day, these items are prone to spontaneously combust, creating a fire. Make sure you throw away any old paints.

·        Smoking indoors is one of the biggest risks when it comes to starting a fire. If you forget and leave a cigarette butt smoking, or fall asleep with a cigarette in your hand, the furniture is prone to catching fire very quickly and you may not have time to act.

To ensure proper fire burn prevention, you should conduct regular safety checks of your home and working environments to ensure that risk factors are dealt with and removed, minimising the risk of a fire break out. Northants Fire are here to help, so feel free to contact us if you’d like a visit.

When it comes to a fire inside your property, you must be adequately prepared to handle the situation. Improper preparation can lead to someone getting hurt and serious property damage.

Pros of Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are available in a range of sizes and are suitable to tackle many different types of fires. Fires start from various sources, such as cooking fat and electrical faults, having the right extinguisher will enable you to fight the fire from a safe distance.

Due to the assorted sizes available, you can ensure that your home or business is equipped with a fire extinguisher that matches your requirements when you need it most. Another pro is that there is a fire extinguisher for many types of fires. You can find an extinguisher for all of the below:

● Flammable liquids (petrol, diesel, spirits, and paint).

● Flammable gases (butane and methane).

● Flammable solids (paper, wood, etc.).

However, don’t attempt to tackle a fire that is too large, or you don’t feel comfortable with. In these situations, ensure everyone is safely out of harm’s way and contact the emergency services.

Cons of Fire Extinguishers

Knowledge and Handling

It may be strange to consider any cons when using a fire extinguisher as they are essential. However, without the proper training, they can be difficult to use and handle correctly. You should also be aware that certain extinguishers cannot be used on every type of fire. An example of the above would be using a water-based fire extinguisher on an electrical fire as this can make the fire escalate.

Weight

Another problem is that they are pretty heavy when it comes to larger fire extinguishers. If you are elderly or not used to operating an extinguisher, it may come as a surprise when it comes to lifting one. You will need upper body strength to use one for a considerable amount of time.

Mess

If a fire breaks out, you probably aren’t going to be too concerned about the mess a power fire extinguisher causes. However, you should be aware that a fire extinguisher can produce a lot of liquid, and this can sometimes damage property.

Pros of Fire Blankets

Protects You from Harm

Using a fire blanket can save your life. Throw the blanket onto the fire to extinguish it. Ultimately, a fire blanket is a versatile tool to not only protect your property from fires, but it can also protect individuals from harm.

Stops Fires at An Early Stage

When it comes to cooking fires, fat fryers, and other cooking appliances can easily become faulty without the proper care. Using a fire blanket on a fire caused by cooking equipment can quickly stop it in its tracks.

Cons Of Fire Blankets 

Only Effective On Small Fires

Fire blankets are only effective when thrown on smaller fires that are contained in a specific area.

Need To Be Close 

One disadvantage of the fire blanket, and a dangerous one, is that it requires you to get up close and personal with the fire. The fire blanket must be correctly applied, and this means getting close to the flames. 

Northants Fire

If you need any fire safety training or require help ensuring you have the right fire extinguishers for the job, contact our team at Northants Fire today. We have extensive training in the field and serve the Northampton area. If you need assistance in making your business or household safe, give us a call on 01604 760 600 or visit our contact page today.

This blog is about the importance of keeping your office fire safe. Current UK legislation states that all employees must undergo basic fire safety training. This training should be completed every twelve months to ensure that all members of staff have a sound and up-to-date understanding of what to do, should a fire break out. Furthermore, all businesses with five or more people are required to have a fire risk assessment; a written record of these procedures that need to be reviewed regularly.

The Risks of Not Being Fire Safety Compliant

Depending on what industry you’re in, the fire risks you and your business face are inevitably going to differ. For example, within a bar or a nightclub, there may be a fire risk because of how guests, and potentially staff, use smoking areas. As part of the fire safety procedure, ensure all rubbish is removed regularly from anywhere people may smoke to prevent any flammable materials from building up.

In an office, electrics often pose a fire risk. Non-compliance here may involve not testing electrical equipment properly. Not being compliant with fire safety processes not only means putting anyone on the premises at huge risk from a potential fire but can also get you into trouble with the law.

How Can My Business Be Fire Safe?

If the fire prevention measures you have in place are deemed inadequate, then it’s likely that penalties will follow. It’s important to keep you and your team safe by having correct procedures in place, however, should you find your business receives an informal warning from the local fire and rescue brigade regarding your fire risk assessment, you don’t have to worry as long as you resolve the issue immediately.

However, should you ignore your first informal notice, this could escalate to a legally binding, formal notice, whereby the authority will write to the owner of the premises, explaining what needs to be done to ensure the building no longer poses a fire risk.

Alterations Notice

An alterations notice is the only type of formal notice you can receive. If your premises are deemed high risk and any alterations to the premises would create an even larger fire hazard, you can be issued with this notice.

Enforcement Notice

An enforcement notice states that the fire safety risks that have been explained to the owner of the premises are not being correctly managed. The notice will reinforce exactly what these improvements are and when they need to be completed.

Prohibition Notice

This type of notice takes effect immediately. The fire and rescue authority will only hand this notice out when they deem a premise such a risk that they feel it necessary to prohibit or restrict a part of/all of the building until alterations have been made.

What Next? Be Fire Safe

If you believe that the notice you have been handed is unfair then you will have the opportunity to appeal at your local magistrates court. However, if unsuccessful, you could face a fine of up to £5,000 and at worst, a maximum of two years in prison.

Fire safety training is crucial so make sure that your team is fully fire safety compliant, and you won’t have to worry about any penalties. Contact us to make sure your business is up to fire standards. 

When it comes to your business, knowing the correct legal obligations that surround fire safety is essential. Knowing the rules around fire safety will ensure that your business remains safe and legal to operate. 

Unfortunately, it is often unclear who is responsible for the upkeep of fire safety measures in the workplace. This blog aims to inform you about fire safety and clarify who is responsible for maintaining good fire safety practices.

Fire Safety: Who Is Responsible?

When it comes to fire safety in the workplace, it can vary on who is responsible for the upkeep of fire regulations. Fire risk assessments are in place to keep everyone safe, so knowing who is accountable is essential for all businesses. A thorough risk assessment also helps protect the building by analysing what is most at risk of a potential fire and then assessing those areas to see where safety measures could be implemented.

According to Fire Safety in the Workplace set out by the government, you are responsible for fire safety if you are any of the following:

• An employer
• A landlord
• An occupier
• Personnel who have control over a property, such as managers and risk assessors.

All of these people will have a responsibility to carefully plan and carry out a risk assessment of the building to reduce the risk of a fire occurring. For example, suppose you are a manager or a risk assessor. In that case, one of your roles is to ensure the safety of the people you manage. The role will include carrying out a risk assessment and reporting any potential fire hazards to a higher authority to be dealt with. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the person appointed to ensure fire safety regulations are met.

It is also required by law for those that have to pay customers on-site to have a fire risk assessment carried out on the property. This would include hotel and bed & breakfast owners who regularly have paying guests.

Suppose you share a property with another organisation. In that case, there is a chance that multiple people will be responsible for ensuring a risk assessment has been carried out. If you are unsure, then it is always better to reach out to a professional who will assist you further. By consulting a professional, you give yourself and your employees greater peace of mind at work.

Fire Safety: Seek Professional Help

You can opt to hire our fire risk assessors to carry out a full inspection of your property. This way, you help take the stress out of fire safety regulations. In addition, hiring a risk assessor is a good option if you struggle to find the time to carry out your inspection properly. They are usually able to visit at a convenient time, and it will also create a minimum impact on day-to-day business.

At Northants Fire, by hiring our trained professionals, you can rest assured knowing that your property has been inspected to the latest safety guidelines and your business can continue to run with minimum disruption. To enquire about our fire risk assessment services please contact us at 01604 760 600 or fill out our contact form. 

Christmas Tree Fire Safety

Christmas is just around the corner, and as it draws closer, millions of households will be decorating their homes ready for the festive season. The old Christmas decorations are pulled down from the loft and put up once again. As the Christmas tree goes up and the garlands are land upon the mantelpiece, not many of us think of the health and safety risks you may be taking. Using old Christmas decorations can be dangerous if you don’t take the right safety measures and fire risk assessments first. 

Some families have not been so fortunate in the season of Christmas cheer. This is due to unexpected Christmas tree fires causing personal injuries, damage to property, and even death, according to the fire safety administrators. Some of these fires have been reported to have escalated due to poor fire safety procedures regarding their Christmas trees as outlined by the authorities. 

It is, therefore, crucial to ensure that this season, no Christmas tree fires are experienced. Thus, people should maintain a safety net this Christmas season by following some of the safety principles outlined below while decorating their Christmas tree.

Xmas Tree Fire Safety Measures

First and foremost, what type of Christmas tree do you have? Do you have a fake or real tree? 

Fake Christmas Tree

Whilst there are many benefits to using fake Christmas trees this holiday, safety isn’t one of them. Overloading them with old Christmas lights, paper and plastic ornaments, and tinsel is all great fun until the overworked outlets and faulty wires cause a Christmas tree fire. 

Real Christmas Tree

Before purchasing or securing a Christmas tree this coming Christmas season, it is critical to consider their freshness. This implies that you would need to get a freshly cut tree, preferably with the green needle leaves not falling off easily upon impact with an external force. This is because a dry Christmas tree with loose needles, falling all over the house is disastrous and may lead to a fire since the Christmas tree will readily burn upon contact with fire, and the spread needles might conduct fire from afar and lead it back to the tree making it burn.

It is vital to ensure that the Christmas trees remain fresh and hydrated all the time by placing them in a pot, watering them frequently to lower their ease of combustion.

How to Reduce the Risk of a Christmas Tree Fire

The Christmas tree needs to be strategically placed within the home. It should be placed away from any heat ignition sources such as candles, live electric wires, active sockets, and fireplaces since all of these could easily ignite the Christmas tree.

The Christmas tree should not be placed along any pathways or entrances. If a Christmas tree fire was to unexpectedly take place, you need a clear exit.

The Christmas tree should be decorated using high-quality bulbs and cords form trusted suppliers, laboratory tested lights and those recommended for indoor applications and not just any materials which might spoil during the celebration resulting in a disaster. The Christmas tree wiring and the entire electrical system should be thoroughly inspected to ensure that there are no exposed wires, faulty or broken lights and sockets which could ignite a fire.

Furthermore, the electrical system running through the Christmas tree should not be overloaded by plugging in too many outlets since this might result in a short-circuiting, causing the tree to catch fire. The Christmas tree lighting system should be switched off when no one is around or when sleeping since an unexpected power surge might result in the tree catching fire.

The decorations on the tree should not be made from readily burning materials such as paper and cardboard. These materials, when exposed to slight heat from the tree lightings/bulbs, might ignite while on the tree resulting in the Christmas tree catching fire.

The Christmas tree should not be kept longer than it should be since, after a while, it becomes overly dry and could catch fire easily. Therefore, once the Christmas tree is dried up, it should be disposed of for recycling and not left around the home.

Fire Containment Measures

Nevertheless, despite all the safety measures, some fires still manage to occur; thus, homeowners are required to have a fire extinguisher around the house. If that is not possible, then ensure your fire alarm system is working correctly and all alarms have new batteries. Whilst this won’t prevent a Christmas tree fire, it can alert you and your family so you can evacuate safely.

To ensure that your Christmas tree and decorations are as safe as possible, why not have a fire risk assessment, this can help you to identify the points of danger and prevent them from causing further damage. Get in touch with us today on 01604 760 600 to find out more about how we can help you. 

If you have the responsibility of taking care of any commercial building, then you must understand the need for fire safety signs. We may already be familiar with the fire exit sign, however, there are numerous other signs that the law demands be displayed appropriately. The importance of fire signs cannot be underestimated. It helps people to escape during an emergency incident. The signs also keep indicating the directions to take until you are in safety.

In case you are in an unfamiliar your environment, these signs are very important in guiding you away from harm. The signage is also important even for those who are familiar with the environment because, in the event of a fire, there is always confusion and disorientation which can impede your escape unless you are guided. The signs are not just for your escape, it guides the emergency services that arrive on the site to navigate the building once you have been evacuated. 

How to Position the Fire Safety Signs

Fire safety signage indicates the location of the fire safety exit. It also points to where the firefighting equipment would be. This equipment includes fire extinguishers, fire assembly points and any other relevant accessories. The signs should give clear mandatory instructions for requirements of such places, such as ‘fire door, keep shut’. This is important because such doors are fitted with emergency alarms and should only be accessed during times of emergency.

Installation of such safety signs should be done professionally and by competent personnel. A professional will be someone who is knowledgeable with the rules and regulations governing safety in a building. The layout and risks associated with particular premises should also be considered. When it comes to the signs requirements, fire exits are site-specific. The signs should be clearly visible by the occupants of the buildings, and nothing should obscure these signs because it could be disastrous in times of emergency.

Depending on the architectural design of the building, some signs may be mounted on the wall alongside other wall-mounted signs. Whenever you are installing the fire signs, try to put yourself in the shoes of a visitor who has no idea how to manoeuvre around the building. As mentioned, no display should block the emergency exits because visitors or the general public at your site will have no idea where the nearest exits are.

Types of Fire Safety Signs

There are many types of fire safety signs. They vary from adhesive stickers to stiff signs bearing different kinds of instructions. These include the types of fire extinguishers on-site, how to use them and where fire exit directions and the fire call points. In some places, commercial buildings have signs in different languages. This is more so because visitors may be from different countries and therefore need to read and understand without requiring an interpreter.

The panic effect should always be considered. We react on impulse whenever anyone shouts ‘Fire! Fire!’. Our behaviours change suddenly and we are likely to even jump through the window. What if there is a lot of smoke out there and you cannot see? These signs will guide you well. We can never tell when the incident will happen, in fact, it may never happen; but it’s better to be safe than be sorry.

Fire safety signs are part of overall fire protection and contribute to the safety of yourself, your visitors, employees, customers and the entire organisation. Keep all fire exit points clear, and ensure you have the necessary fire safety signs. 
Thank you for reading this blog post. We hope you have a better understanding of just how important fire signs are. If you have any questions or wish to contact us, visit our contact page or call us on 01604 760 600.