Health & safety: Don't play with fire
If there is one word guaranteed to strike a raw nerve for the hospitality industry it is… 'fire'. The high cost of a fire is often counted in lives lost and/or in damage amounting to many thousands of pounds.
In the best interests of a business, there is much one can and should do to minimise the risk of fire and the subsequent losses. At the very least, businesses must abide by the stringent laws regarding fire safety and fire precautions which are designed to reduce the risk of fire. If they do not, they run further risk of loss, through fines, litigation, perhaps even forced closure.
Fire safety training should be carried out during the induction of new staff and preferably a second time within the first month of employment. Refresher training should be given at least once a year and a record kept in a logbook.
Every hotel, pub and club is obliged by law to have fire extinguishers in strategic places, often close to exits.
Carrying out a fire risk assessment can easily identify which types of extinguishers are needed for different locations.
The fire risk assessment and the resulting deficiencies list would also reveal things needing to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
A good, reliable fire extinguisher maintenance company is a real boon to any business. It can be relied on to give sound advice on the types of extinguishing agents, identify fire extinguishers and the appropriate one for each type of fire, and provide practical training in their use.
Regular weekly checks of fire extinguishers are imperative and these should be recorded in a fire logbook.
Ensure all fire extinguishers, fire exit signs and fire action notices are correctly located. Make certain that the extinguisher is full and its pins and stays are in place.
You can readily identify the specific use of a fire extinguisher via the label area/user guide on the 'body' of the extinguisher. However, it is obviously best that you and your staff are very familiar with their intended use prior to any emergency.
Fire blankets are suitable for small fires in containers of cooking oils and for fires on clothing.
Check on a daily basis to ensure all fire exits are free from obstruction at all times. In some situations, exits are chained and locked for security purposes but immediately anyone enters the premises the chain should be removed.
Exits should be clearly marked, ideally with the doors opening outwards to a clear path and safety. Fire exits should also be permanently illuminated with maintained lighting.
Where possible, have a primary and secondary escape route.
