How To Prepare For Fire Safety Inspections
In the UK, fire safety standards are crucial to keep all commercial locations and public spaces secure. Regular fire safety inspections play a major role in ensuring that your business adheres to the current regulations and has all the required safety measures in place.
At Axis Fire & Security, we specialise in fire safety measures and services to support businesses across the region. We offer a range of services to deliver the highest standards of fire safety possible.
Using our expertise in this area, we are sharing some of the best ways you can prepare for upcoming fire safety inspections to ensure your business passes without issue.
Key Areas Of Fire Safety Inspections
Fire safety inspections are done regularly to ensure that your premises is constantly prepared for an emergency. This is vital in all kinds of public spaces, especially commercial businesses which are constantly being accessed by the public.
During fire safety inspections, officials will assess a range of areas across the premises and within business operations to determine whether it is compliant with the current regulations. The assessment will cover areas such as:
- Fire doors and escape routes
- Fire extinguishers
- Fire suppression systems
- Fire alarms
- Electrical safety, including electrical wiring and systems
- Emergency lighting
- Fire exits, including illuminated signs
- General housekeeping
To pass fire safety inspections, all of these areas need to be compliant and meet the current regulations for fire safety. These regulations can vary based on location within the UK as well as the kind of premises you operate, but in many cases, common sense practices are the best method.
Fire Safety Inspections
With a clear understanding of the most significant areas within fire safety inspections, it is time to begin preparing your premises. Preparing ahead of time makes it more likely that you will pass, preventing any closures and loss of revenue which can come from being deemed unsafe.
The following are some of the best ways to prepare for fire safety inspections, as well as good practices in general to maintain high standards across your business:
Accessible Escape Routes
Regardless of the size of a commercial property, escape routes are fundamental to fire safety and should be kept clear at all times. This is good general practice for your safety, along with essential preparation for fire safety inspections.
Escape routes need to be clear and visible, meaning they should always be free of obstructions. Signs should be visible, with emergency lighting to showcase the right route during emergencies. It is good practice to avoid propping fire doors open and ensuring they are not obstructed by storage, stock or cages.
Regular Self-Assessments
It is a good idea to perform regular self-assessments for fire safety and incorporate this into your standard business routine. While fire safety inspections are an official measure to determine whether your business is compliant, regular assessments can be a way to make sure these regulations are always being met.
Performing regular assessments helps to maintain a culture of fire safety across the business, as well as keeps you prepared for any upcoming fire safety inspections that may take place.
The more frequently you assess your business, the easier it will be to identify issues and ensure fire safety is at the highest standards ahead of official fire safety inspections.
Stay Informed About The Latest Regulations
Much like with regular assessments, keeping up to date with the latest fire safety regulations is great practice for your business. It also helps you prepare for fire safety inspections, as you can be informed of the latest expectations for your business and make sure you are in line with these.
You can make this process easier by signing up for newsletters or connecting with local authorities, who will keep you informed of any specific changes in your area.
Regular Fire Alarm Testing
Fire drills and fire alarm testing should be done regularly at all commercial sites to ensure that they are in full functioning order. Fire alarms need to be fully functional, as they are your first line of defence against emergencies and indicate when an issue appears.
Fire drills should be performed regularly, not only ahead of fire safety inspections but in general to ensure that people know how to act upon hearing the fire alarm. This requires frequent staff training, to ensure your employees understand the emergency exits and how to best direct customers in an emergency.
Any paperwork or recordings of these tests will be assessed during fire safety inspections and therefore need to be kept up to date.
Electrical Safety
Electrical safety plays a large role in fire safety and therefore needs to be regularly monitored too. This is not only a good way to prepare for fire safety inspections, as your electric outlets, appliances and systems will be assessed, but also good general practice for the premises.
Regular electrical testing should be a standard practice across your business to ensure that everything is in good working order at all times. Likewise, regular inspections can be a way to prevent issues such as exposed wires or overloaded plugs. These are common issues but can lead to electrical fires and therefore should be avoided.
Functional Fire Extinguishers
Regular testing of fire extinguishers is also necessary to ensure they are in working order and can be used during an emergency. Fire extinguishers can expire which if left unnoticed can potentially leave you unprotected in dire situations.
Getting your fire extinguishers regularly maintained is excellent practice for your business, as well as a great way to prepare for fire safety inspections.
Maintain Fire Safety Documents
As we have mentioned, fire safety inspections also involve a review of all relevant paperwork in addition to physical checks. Maintaining current and easily accessible fire safety documentation is important for your business and it is a good idea to check this is the case ahead of fire safety inspections.
There are numerous types of fire safety documents that you may have accrued over time, and all these should be available, organised and current during the inspection. These documents include:
- Fire risk assessments
- Maintenance records for fire systems
- Records of fire drills and evacuation plans
- Certificates of compliance
Conclusion
Preparing for fire safety inspections is crucial and many of the strategies listed in this guide should be general practice for your business. Maintaining a culture of fire safety at all times is the best preparation for fire safety inspections and is a great way to keep your premises secure,
At Axis Fire & Security, we offer a variety of fire safety solutions designed to keep your business protected and fully compliant at all times. We can also provide testing and maintenance to get you prepared for fire safety inspections.
Contact Us Today
If you would like to learn more about our services, please contact us today. Our team is ready to help with all your fire safety needs.
