From April 2012 to March 2013 there were 271 fatalities caused by fires in England. Three fifths of these fatalities were caused by accidental dwelling fires. In the same year, local fire and rescue services attended 154,000 fires in England, of which half were outdoor fires. The number of fatalities caused by fires was 11% less than the previous year. These statistics were compiled by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
While the number of fire fatalities have dropped in the UK, the figure is still alarming. In short more can and should be done in order to reduce the number of fires breaking out and claiming lives in the UK.
Fire safety is an important component of building safety. It refers to the precautions that are taken in order to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a fire occurring, which would be likely to cause damage to a property, injury or death. Whether it is at home or at work there are numerous fires safety measures that need to be carried out in order to optimise the safety of a building to ensure that not only are fires unlikely to occur but if they do, the building is well-equipped to deal with the fire as proficiently as possible.
So what are the precautionary fire measures required to optimise the safety of a building?
Conduct regular fire checks on all electrical appliances
With computers, kettles, fans, TVs, mobile charges and internet modems, to mention just a few, modern homes, offices and buildings of practically any type, have a multitude of electrical appliances in place. Poor electrical connections and appliances are one of the major causes of fire outbreaks. In fact just a single short circuit can result in a fire ravaging its way across a building.
Conducting regular checks on circuits and connections will ensure that all appliances are well connected and are therefore unlikely to cause a fire.
Store flammable materials in a safe place
It sounds obvious but as flammable substances being stored irresponsibly is another main contributor to fires breaking out, combustible materials should be stored away in a safe place. In a working environment, hazardous substances should be kept in a safe store room away from electrical equipment. In the home, such materials should also be stored in a sensible location and need to be kept well out of reach of children.
Install fire exit doors and fire alarm systems
Most buildings are required to maintain proper fire exits, which include proper exit signage so that people are aware that they are the exits that should be used in a fire. Fire alarm systems should also be installed in all buildings.
In a domestic capacity, smoke alarms should feature in homes that alert occupiers of excessive smoke. In places of work appropriate alarm systems should be fitted. The best alarm systems are often those which detect fires through heat and smoke and therefore initiate emergency measures to be taken quickly to put the fire out.
Fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers should be placed throughout most buildings in places that are easily accessible. There are several types of fire extinguishers designed to put out different types of fires so it is imperative that the right extinguisher is positioned in the correct place.
Keep occupancy within limits
An over occupied building can be a fire risk in itself, not to mention would cause further panic and bedlam is a fire was to break out. It is therefore important that buildings and rooms within a building do not exceed maximum occupancy.
The Safety Centre provides high quality alarm systems designed to optimise the safety of any kind of building. The Safety Centre’s alarm systems would be an invaluable feature of any building striving to have comprehensive fire safety measures in place.
