Too many UK businesses treat fire safety as an afterthought, needlessly putting their facilities and their workers at risk. This is why events like Fire Door Safety Week are intended to serve as reminders and motivate business owners to think proactively about this crucially important aspect of office life. Accidents can happen at any time, so delaying the preparations even a little bit can turn costly of the misfortune strikes before the company takes action.
Since most fire damage is entirely preventable with simple safety measures, it is inexcusable to allow ignorance to cause death and destruction. With plenty of competent experts available to provide guidance and help install fire doors Scotland based businesses must change the way they approach this issue and start fireproofing their premises more comprehensively.
Why Are Fire Doors a Pillar of Defence Against Disasters?
If a fire breaks out, the first reaction is to try and extinguish it. However, this may not always be possible due to a range of factors, from late arrival to the scene to presence of energy intensive fuels or flammable materials. In other words, it’s not enough to have fire extinguishers positioned around the property, as they might prove ineffective against a large or particularly fast-spreading fire. Fire doors exist for this very reason, serving to stop or at least slow the progress of fire and contain it to the area where it originally started.
Fire doors can also block the passage of smoke or toxic fumes, protecting the people who might otherwise be affected and preventing widespread material damage. Made of sturdy, non-flammable materials, these doors present a formidable barrier that can be essential for giving the first responders enough time to apply fire suppressing measures and the occupants to escape outside. They represent a modest investment into fire safety, and can potentially pay off manifold in case they are really needed.
How to Decide Where a Fire Door Is Needed?
To be effective, fire doors must be positioned strategically to separate the space into isolated sections that can be sealed at any time. In practice, that means an organisation doesn’t have to fireproof every door, it’s enough to have several of them in carefully chosen locations. These locations should be determined after in-depth analysis of the fire risks associated with each section and activities taking place there, the number of people spending time in different sections, key evacuation routes, etc.
Larger organisations that occupy the same space for a long time might be able to do this on their own, as they already understand where the choke points are. Conversely, businesses moving into a new space would be wise to consult fire safety professionals regarding the best placement of fire doors. It makes sense to spend some time working out the best positions, since getting it wrong could be catastrophic. In case certain parts of the building change purpose (i.e. office space to workshop), additional doors may need to be installed.
Why Is Fire Door Safety Week Important?
A whole week dedicated to a specific fire safety feature might seem excessive, but this event is much needed for raising awareness about the importance of fire doors. It was started in 2013 with the idea to educate UK business owners and turn their attention to attainable improvements that can make a big difference. It is administered by the British Woodworkers Federation, and it includes all kinds of activities that happen year-round.
Most importantly, Fire Door Safety Week maintains a strong online presence, with its own website offering advice and resources, as well as social media channels that reach over 35 million people. There are also numerous online and in-person events for fire safety professionals that feature talks and hands on training. This way, the event builds public support for more robust fire safety measures and ensures that the latest protection techniques are properly understood and widely used.
How to Promote Fire Safety Awareness throughout the Year?
It’s hard getting people to think about unpleasant topics, and fire danger is certainly not on the top of anyone’s agenda. This is exactly why advocacy about the benefits of fire doors and other safety equipment and procedures needs to be constant throughout the year. Smart organisations periodically hold in house meetings to remind the employees of fire regulations and collect ideas how to improve the safety system already in place. Managers also need to include fire safety on their list of objectives and to track progress, just like for any other business parameter.
It is highly recommended to have a full fire drill multiple times per year, which offers a great opportunity to test whether the premises are adequately protected and all fire doors placed in the right spots. In addition to preparing the workforce for a crisis situation, drills have the added benefit of making the risk more palpable to everyone involved. This in turn can motivate people to take part in fire safety measures even if that’s not in their job descriptions, and to be more mindful of their environment.