Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regs 1999
Detection & warning
Means of escape
Fighting fire
Staff Training
Risk Assessment
Management of H&S at Work Regs 1999
Class A: Carbonaceous materials Class B: Liquids or liquefiable solids Class C: Gases Class D: Metals Class F: Cooking oils or fats
Identify potential fire hazards Decide who might be harmed and how Evaluate risks and decide whether more
needs to be done Record findings – tell employees Review from time to time and revise when
necessary
FUEL
OXYGEN
IGNITION
SOURCE
Other examples:
Smokers materials
Heating equipment
Cooking
Lighting equipment
Arson
Static electricity
Friction
Metal impact
Flammable liquids, solvents and chemicals Wood Paper and card Plastics, rubber and foam Flammable gases Furniture Textiles Waste material Consider construction of building
Main source is air around us:
Natural airflow (doors, windows etc.)
Mechanical air conditioning)
Some chemicals (oxidising materials) Oxygen supplies from cylinder and piped
systems
Identify:
Who may be at risk of fire;
How they will be warned; and
How they will escape.
Consider employees, customers, visitors, contractors etc. and where they may be
Decide whether existing precautions are adequate, or whether more should be done
Consider: Chance of fire occurring;
Precautions in place;
Warning systems;
Means of escape; and
Means of fighting fire.
Convection Radiation Conduction Direct Contact
Smoke rises
Ever-deepening layer of
smoke
If more than 5 employees Record significant findings & people at risk Record could be simple list (see below), or
layout plan, or a combination of both
Significant hazards People/groups at
risk from hazards
Existing controls
and risks which are
not adequately
controlled
Further action
required
-by when?
-by who?
Review when no longer valid or significant changes
No need to review in light of trivial changes Fires or near misses should initiate review Ensure precautions are working effectively
Shouting “Fire” may be sufficient in small workplaces
Electrical fire warning system with manual call points is likely to be required
Automatic fire detection may also be necessary
Alarm should be loud enough for everyone to hear it
Should normally be an alternative means of escape
Each escape route should be independent of any other
Should lead to a place of safety Should be wide enough for number of
occupants Should not normally reduce in width Should be available for use and clear at all
times
Consider what people are doing when alarm sounds: Operating machinery that will have to be
switched off
Sleeping etc. Disabled may need help to evacuate Corridors should be 1m wide Stairways should be of sufficient width Should be sufficiently lit, and have
emergency lighting where necessary
Portable fire fighting equipment:
Water (red)
Foam (cream)
Powder (blue)
Carbon Dioxide (black)
Halon (green)
New extinguishers
FOAM CO2WATERPOWDER