On October 1, 2006, new legislation on Fire Safety in the UK was implemented. One of the major changes was that employers are now solely responsible for ensuring their business premises undergo a proper fire safety risk assessment and for the fire safety within their premises. Under the revised rules, there is a legally assigned 'responsible person' who will shoulder complete liability in case of a fire. With such an enormous responsibility placed, the business owner must be able to provide sufficient fire safety and fire fighting equipment for the protection of the employees or people who enter the workplace. One of the best fire-fighting tool is the fire extinguisher.
The fire extinguisher has undergone many improvements in the past few years. With all these new features, there is a type available for practically any kind of business and for any type of fire. In order to determine which type to install in the workplace, it is important to obtain information regarding the classes of fires and the extinguisher which is suitable for stopping the spread of fire. In the UK, six classes of fire exist: Class A: solids (paper, wood, cloth, etc); Class B: liquids (flammable liquids such as petrol and diesel); Class C: flammable gas; Class D: flammable metals Class F: cooking oils, grease; and Electrical Class.
Different areas of a specific business establishment will start different classes of fires. For instance, in a hotel, there is a high possibility an Electrical Class fire will occur in the office instead of in the hotel kitchen, which is likely to have a Class F fire. As the person who is responsible for fire safety in the establishment, you should be aware a wet chemical fire extinguisher is the best type for this section of the hotel. Meanwhile, the hotel office will benefit more from the automatic, powder, and CO2 extinguishers.
In addition to complying with the UK law to have this device accessible in the business area, the business owner must also check that employees are properly educated as to the correct way to operate a fire extinguisher. Remember that with the proper training, the person handling the extinguisher can stop the spread of a potentially destructive fire and buy some time for the professional fire fighters to handle it. Finally, a monthly inspection must be conducted internally and the observations recorded in a 'Fire Log Book'. This allows you to verify that the fire extinguisher will fulfill its purpose should it be necessary to use it.
A fire is one of the most devastating tragedies a business can experience. At the very least, it can disrupt work and lose the business owner money. At its worst, it can lead to lost lives and the possibility that the business will not be able to recover from the misfortune. It has happened before, and it can happen again. Comply with the fire regulations and invest in a fire extinguisher. As a highly effective weapon against the destruction which an uncontrolled fire can wreak, it will guarantee you, your employees, and your clients' greater peace of mind.
Bennett Glover is a professional fire safety expert and consultant for commercial businesses to help promote fire safety and awareness in the UK area. He regularly writes articles to inform the general public about the safest ways of handling fires and how to prevent them in the first place. His knowledge and expertise has earned him many writing and speaking engagements. He enjoys teaching fire safety to students, business owners, and learning institutions to help save lives.
For more tips and information about fire extinguisher and car fire extinguisher, please visit: http://www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk/car-fire-extinguisher/.
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