Businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who have had to make changes due to Covid-19 are being urged not to overlook fire safety.
This is the main message behind this year’s National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Business Safety Week, with businesses across the UK being advised to make sure fire safety remains a top priority.
Many businesses have had to implement new ways of working due to the current pandemic, but Fire and Rescue Services across the UK are warning businesses to ensure they effectively mitigate everyday fire risks in the workplace.
Many businesses had to respond quickly to the pandemic once they could reopen and while revisiting risk assessments, fire safety may not have been at the forefront of planning.
As part of NFCC’s Business Safety Week (7th- 13th September), we are encouraging business owners and Responsible Persons (RPs) to ensure they review Fire Risk Assessments.
Businesses must consider the potential risks that the Covid secure measures may in some cases, compromise fire safety measures. For example, new screens must not obstruct smoke detection and businesses must always have enough trained staff on site to support evacuation procedures. They must also ensure social-distancing measures do not impact evacuation procedures or the ability of emergency services to access the business.
Protecting a business from arson is another crucial consideration for business owners. Over 1,400 deliberate fire incidents were recorded last year in Hampshire alone, so businesses must prepare for the threat this poses.
We are also asking businesses to help us to reduce the number of false alarms, so this valuable time can be spent supporting the community during this challenging time. Nationally false alarms account for 40% of all emergency calls and in 2019 there were over 7,000 false alarms recorded in Hampshire.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager for Protection Andy Lock said:
“Fire can have a devastating impact on businesses so it’s vital that risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated to increase fire safety.
We realise this has already been an extremely difficult year for businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and we want them to know that we are here to support them and offer advice and guidance.”
We are running the following free webinars throughout Business Safety Week.
- Tuesday 8 September, 10:00 am – Business Fire Safety workshop
- Friday 11 September, 10:00 am – High-rise Fire Safety workshop
To find out more or book a place please contact: csprotection.admin@hantsfire.gov.uk