| It is an alarming fact, but despite plenty of | | | | aware of the procedures in the event of a fire. |
| government legislation in this area, many small | | | | However it can sometimes be beneficial to bring in |
| businesses do not understand the basic | | | | expert advice to help with the fire risk |
| requirements of fire safety legislation. With advice | | | | assessment. There are a number of organisations |
| and legislation being updated on an ongoing basis, | | | | out there that can provide expert advice and a |
| every business must do everything in its power | | | | thorough study of your office's current status |
| to insure it understands the fundamental principals | | | | regarding fire risk and what kind of additions you |
| of a fire risk assessment. | | | | need to implement. As well as consultancy the |
| When conducting a fire risk assessment the office | | | | company can offer a range of advice, information |
| manager must start by identifying the major | | | | and training courses. These range the full |
| hazards. This can by done by consulting the Health | | | | spectrum from basic tuition to advanced specialist |
| and Safety Executive's official WebPages to | | | | courses that focus on key areas. Once these are |
| familiarise oneself with the requirements. Next the | | | | undertaken the person responsible for fire safety |
| manager should tour the office, identifying likely | | | | within the office can stay up to date with current |
| risks and talking to staff to use their experience | | | | requirements. |
| of using the area. Using this information, the | | | | The final thing to remember is that any fire risk |
| manager takes note of the workers using the | | | | assessment must not be a one-off event. |
| office, their needs and what dangers they might | | | | Conditions in offices can change, as can the |
| conceivably face. | | | | requirements of UK law. It makes sense to carry |
| The next step is to identify current controls that | | | | out regular studies of the office environment, run |
| are in place, assess their effectiveness and | | | | drills and continually do everything in your power |
| identify key areas for improvement. The | | | | to insure the office is adequately protected |
| manager should make it clear which individual is | | | | against fire. |
| responsible for improvements and carefully make | | | | We all hope this is not the kind of situation any |
| a note when each improvement is made. The final | | | | office manger will have to face, but if the day |
| step is to discuss in detail the findings of the | | | | does come the penalties for being unprepared do |
| study and make sure each member of staff is | | | | not bear thinking about. |
