In 1997, UK fire brigades attended over 36,000 fires in workplaces.  These fires killed 30 people and injured over 2,600.

Fires also cost money - on average each fire in Industrial premises costs about £60,000 and afterwards many businesses do not reopen.

For a fire to start or an explosion to occur, fuel (ie a flammable substance), air and a source of ignition are all needed. Controlling or eliminating these can prevent fires.

The wide variety of flammable substances found in the workplace range from the obvious – eg heating fuel, petrol, paint thinners and welding gases, to the less obvious – packaging materials, dusts from wood, flour and sugar are a few examples.

If you are an employer, Fire Safety - an employer's guide (ISBN 0 11 341229 0 £9.95 and available from HSE books tel 01787 881165) explains what you have to do to comply with the law relating to fire issues.  It tells you how to carry out your fire risk assessment and identify the safeguards which you should have in your workplace, and contains guidelines on how to draw up an emergency plan.  The guide deals with general fire precautions which are the subject of legal requirements under specific legislation, including:

- Means of detection and giving warning in case of fire

- The provision of means of escape

- Means of fighting fire; and

- The training of staff in fire safety

New Fire safety rules affecting non-domestic premises in England and Wales came into force in October 2006.  The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order places sole responsibility for ensuring fire does not put lives at risk with the 'responsible person' which in most cases will be the employer.  The main effect of the change is a move towards greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic premises.

To help ensure that premises comply with the new legislation, an online self-assessment form is available.  This is a series of fire-safety related questions and should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.

What is DSEAR?

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)  is a set of regulations concerned with protection against risks from fire, explosion and similar events arising from dangerous substances used or present in the workplace.  The regulations apply to employers and the self-employed.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Are Cylinders containing a pressurised substance which shoots out in a jet. They may contain powder, water, foam or carbon dioxide.

How do you use them?

You point them at the fire and shoot the jet at it.

Advantages

You can keep some distance from the fire when applying Highly effective at extinguishing fires (if the right extinguisher is used for the type of fire).

Disadvantages

If you use the wrong kind of extinguisher, you will make the fire worse or spread it .

Fire Extinguisher require servicing (usually annually)

They cost from about £20.  Bear in mind no single type of extinguisher is totally effective on every kind of fire. So before buying one, it's vital to look carefully at what kinds of fires it can be used on.

There are four main types of fire extinguisher:

WATER

The water cools the burning material. 

You can only use water on solids, like wood or paper. You must NEVER use water on electrical fires or burning fat or oil or fiers involving flammable liquids.

Dangers

The water can conduct electricity back to you. Water actually makes fat or oil fires worse - they can explode as the water hits them.

How to use
Direct the jet at the base of the flames and move it over the area of the fire.

CARBON DIOXIDE

Suitable for fires involving flammable liquids or electrical apparatus.

How to use
Carbon Dioxide extinguishers SHOULD NOT be used in confined spaces where there is a danger that the fumes may be inhaled.

The horn on an extinguisher must not be held as it becomes extremely cold during use

FOAM

The foam forms a blanket or film on the surface of a burning liquid.

Conventional foam works well only on some flammable liquids so it's not good for use at home, but AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) is very effective on most fires except electrical and chip pan fires.

Dangers

"Jet" foam can conduct electricity back to you, but "spray" foam is much less likely to do so. The foam could spread burning fat or oil around.

How to use
For liquids, don't aim the foam straight at the fire - aim it at a vertical surface above the level of the burning liquid or, if the fire is in a container, at the inside edge of the container.  This breaks the jet and allows the foam to build up and flow accross the surface of the liquid to smother the fire.

Where this is not possible stand well back, direct the jet with a gentle sweeping movement, allow the foam to drop down and lie on the surface of the liquid.

Do not aim the jet directly into the liquid as this will drive the foam beneath the surface and render it ineffective, it may also splash the fire onto surrounding areas.

For solids, aim the jet at the base of the flames and move it over the area of the fire.

DRY POWDER

The powder "knocks down" the flames.

These are suitable for fires involving flammable liquids or electrical apparatus. 

Dangers

The powder does not cool the fire well. Fires which seem out can reignite. The powder doesn't penetrate small spaces, like those inside burning equipment. The jet could spread burning fat or oil around.

How to use
On fires involving either liquids in containers or spilled liquids, direct the jet towards the near edge of the fire.  With a rapid sweeping motion drive the fire towards the far edge until all flames are extinguished.

On fires involving flowing liquids, direct the jet at the base of the flames and sweep upwards

On fires in electrical equipment, switch off the current and then direct the jet straight at the fire

When the fire appears to be extinguished shut off the discharge and wait until the atmosphere clears.  If any flame is then still visible, discharge again.

FIRE BLANKETS

Are Fire-resistant sheets of material.

You cover a fire with the blanket  to cut its supply of oxygen.  Fire blankets are good to use on fat pan fires on the cooker or for wrapping round someone whose clothing is on fire.  

They're ideal to keep in the kitchen, but they aren't good for general use.

Advantages

Quick to apply Light Easy to maintain Cheaper than extinguishers

Disadvantages

To use on a fire, you have to move close to the fire, and your hands are particularly vulnerable You can only use on a very small and contained fire You probably only get one go at extinguishing the fire - if you fail to put it out, you can't retrieve the blanket

Fire blankets cost from about £15

If you buy one, make sure it conforms to British Standard BS 6575.

Location of Fire Extinguishers / fire blankets

Both require careful location, they should be:-

- easy to get to in an emergency,

- Never put away in a cupboard,

- neither should be mounted above a cooker or heater,

- fire blankets should be located in the kitchen where they are most useful,

- fire extinguishers should be wall mounted in an accessible place

GENERAL ADVICE TO AVOID A FIRE IN YOUR WORKPLACE

Keep your workplace tidy,

Do not store combustable material near to heaters ,

Ensure that your hard wiring (Main circuits) are inspected at least every five years (certain workplaces require this inspection more frequently),

Ensure that portable electrical appliances are tested regularly and faulty appliances removed from use, repaired or disposed of,

Use qualified electricians for any electrical work,

Do not overload electrical circuits,

Cease the use of extension leads where possible.  If they are in use ensure that they are fully extended and plugged directly into a socket (not another extension lead),

Ensure that you have the right fire extinguishers in the correct locations for your workplace and that they are regularly serviced (annually) and staff are trained in how to use them (and when to use them).  NB fire extinguishers should be wall mounted or stored in a stand designed for this purpose,

Ensure that any emergency lighting that you have is regularly tested and maintained,

Ensure that fire alarms are regularly tested and full evacuations carried out at least twice a year (more will be needed if problems are identified, or if you work a shift pattern to ensure that all staff are familiar with the evacuation process),

Store all flammable liquids correctly, Keep fire exits and routes to the fire exits and onto a safe meeting point clear of all obstructions,

GENERAL ADVICE WHEN FACED WITH A FIRE

Before starting to fight even the smallest of fires ensure that the alarm has been raised and the fire proceedure activated

Extinguishers are only for dealing with small fires

Stand somewhere where access to the fire is unrestricted but where a quick and safe retreat is possible (eg on the side of the fire nearest the exit or, if you are outside, up wind of the fire,

Crouching will help you keep clear of the smoke, avoid heat and will allow a closer approach to the fire

Always ensure that a fire is completely extinguished and not liable to re-ignite or continue smoldering.

Do NOT continue to fight a fire if:-

It is dangerous to do so,

Your escape route may be cut off by either the fire or by smoke,

The fire continues to grow,

There are gas cylinders threatened by a fire

If you do have to leave a fire, where possible close windows and doors behind you (without putting yourself in danger).

Do NOT use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire involving burning gas.  If it is safe to do so turn off the gas supply.  Leave a gas fire to the fire brigade.