Ensuring the safety of the workplace, employees, staff, and property from fire accidents is an important task for the business owner. It’s unfortunate that often after taking all the precautions, using sprinklers, fire alarms, fire dampers Ireland, fire accidents happen. In case of having no proper fire evacuation planning, safety can get often compromised.
As per the data, there were more than 1500 workplace fire incidents are reported in Ireland last year. So, please take out a few moments to read the importance of having a proper fire evacuation plan at your workplace.
Several laws are there regulating these inspections, and those who fail to abide by these laws risk penalties and even imprisonment. As per the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the employers must “ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health, and welfare at work of his or her employees“. Fire doors and fire damper inspection is a part of the comprehensive safety planning.
Remember that the evacuation process planning must include clear instructions for the employees and staff regarding what should they do if there is a fire alarm or an actual fire.
Here is a comprehensive idea regarding the fire evacuation plan at your workplace.
What is the FEEP (Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan)?
FEEP is a simple document that includes all the information regarding fire safety. The plan outlines the detailed steps that the employees and staff should follow during the fire outbreak in the building. Further, the plan includes the details regarding how to inform the fire brigade. Inspections are necessary to ensure the plans are working properly.
Generally, two types of notices are included in the FEEP. These are General Fire Notice and the Staff Fire Notice.
General fire notice
It contains fire evacuation information and generally placed on a single page. It is posted in the areas where mostly the staffs and employees walk. It is done to make them familiar with the evacuation planning. It is perfect for small businesses.
Staff fire notice
These notices include detailed fire safety information. However, these are typically prepared for the larger buildings and buildings which have a higher fire risk. Further, these notices include the results of the fire risk assessment and detailed instructions regarding how the staff will proceed in case of a fire accident in the building.
Risk Assessment
To prevent fire accidents, the employer must carry out a risk assessment with fire protection service, which will do the fire damper inspection and other inspections. Here are some steps that are often carried out during the risk assessments:
- Separate sources of ignition from sources of fuel
- Always ensure good housekeeping practices
- Ensure smoke and fire alarms are in good working order
- Ensure your employees receive appropriate training
- Review and update your risk assessment regularly
- Fire protection equipment maintenance
FEEP includes the maintenance of all fire protection equipment which includes the sprinkler, fire doors, fire dampers Ireland, and other important things. The proper functioning of the fire protection equipment ensures the safety and protection of staff and occupants. Therefore, you must ensure that fire protection equipment such as fire detection/alarm systems, emergency lighting systems, and fire extinguishing equipment is working properly.
Train the staffs
While you are planning the evacuation plan, you must also train the staff regarding how will they act during the fire alarm or actual fire outbreak. Here are some key points to focus on:
- Fire prevention duties
- Emergency procedures, including fire and evacuation drills
- The plan of the building including escape routes
- The position of fire alarm call points, and first-aid fire-fighting equipment
- Calling the fire brigade and the ambulance service
- Arrangements for assisting the fire brigade
- Role of fire doors, fire dampers
All the staff must get proper training regarding planning. Remember that only the collective effort of the people can save them during the fire.
What information must be included in a Fire Evacuation Plan in a nutshell?
As of now, you are almost aware of the details regarding the fire evacuation plan. Every business must have this one as a part of the overall safety plan. The plan must be there in writing and it must include the required actions that employees and staff members should take if there is a fire. Here are the key points that must be included in an evacuation plan:
- Evacuation protocol
- Designated person name to call fire and rescue?
- Where firefighting equipment is placed along with the building
- The process to alert building occupants about the fire
- Where escape routes will lead evacuees
- Responsibilities for personnel assigned
- Options for the employees and visitors with special needs
- The final meeting point for building evacuees
Over here one thing must be taken into consideration, that no matter the evacuation plan is in detail or points out the basics, it all must be in the written manner. The plan reflects the overall safety planning of the company.
However, for the multi-storied buildings, each of the floors must have separate escape routes and plans.
How fire Evacuation plan can benefit your company?
Over in this post, you have seen how proper evacuation planning works. It takes a lot of works that a professional fire protection company like BM Fire Protection can offer you.
We offer fire damper inspection, fire door inspection, and other range of fire protection services. We can help you in designing a comprehensive fire evacuation plan to address the specific fire safety needs of your business after a complete inspection of the building.
So, without losing any precious moment further, get in touch with us now.