Fire Protection for Warehouses & Business

Businesses of all kinds need to be sure that their buildings, assets and staff are all protected by adequate fire safety measures, but warehouses in particular are incredibly susceptible to the risk of fire. The perfect ingredients for starting a fire are the trio of oxygen, fuel and heat. Oxygen is found in every work environment and in a warehouse there are a huge variety of fuel sources and potential heat sources too. This is a deadly combination and means that every single warehouse manager must ensure that their warehouse takes a number of steps to ensure that their building is as protected as possible from the risk of fire.

Steel framed buildings

Of course, if the warehouse is already built then the material used in its construction is a matter of history, but for those with the choice, steel is not only the most sustainable, affordable and low maintenance option, it is also highly resistant to fires.

Equip your warehouse properly

Ensuring that your warehouse or other building benefits from the correct fire protection equipment is absolutely vital. You must invest in the proper fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, alarms, exit signs and emergency lights. All of your equipment must be well maintained and staff should be properly trained in its use. In addition, a licensed fire protection officer should be called in to complete the necessary inspections and safety tests on your equipment.

Fire Extinguishers

UK fire extinguisher regulations recommend that extinguishers should be replaced or given an extended service every 5 years, with no fire extinguisher exceeding 20 years in age. They must be properly situated and be ready for use at all times. Inspections should be carried out annually and extinguishers tagged to show this.

Signage and lighting

When a fire rages on in a warehouse the last thing you need is for you and your employees being able to see properly in order to evacuate. Proper emergency lighting and exit signs prevent this as well as reducing the potential for panic and tripping. All emergency lighting systems must be tested monthly. It is a short test, but essential to comply with regulations.

Sprinkler systems

Published guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) recommends that warehouses in England and Wales ought to be provided with a fire sprinkler system or equivalent if they are larger than 20,000m2. Obviously all warehouses will benefit from greater safety with a functional automatic sprinkler system in place.

Alarm systems

Alarms are vital for early detection and to be able to deal with a fire hazard before it gets out of control. These systems must be set up to link to emergency services so the fire brigade can get to you as soon as possible.

Training

Ensuring that you have all the right fire protection equipment is the first step. It is equally important to make sure that employees are properly trained in fire safety as well as protocol to follow in the event of a fire.