We strongly encourage anyone spotting any breach of practice to either engage with the premises manager or to notify the local fire brigade. Here are some examples and the cost to rectify the issues which have been sent in to Firescout.
" " Chaining multiplug adaptors is a risk in itself, but placing objects over them will heat them up and increase the risk of a fire. If these items are easily combustible, the fire will spread very quickly in to the rest of the office. Always try to use a mains socket or a UPS where necessary, and keep the area tidy.
" " Sometimes items are left in corridoors for convenience during day-to-day work, but this can be hazardous if it is used as a fire escape route. What's more, combustible items will spread the fire rapidly and endanger people trying to use the route.
" " It is important to control contractors during works and inspect the finished product prior to payment being made. Fires are made worse when they are given the space to spread and not limited with compartmentation, so when building work is taken out be sure that new hazards aren't introduced.
" " Fire doors shouldn't be held open unless it's by a fire door retainer. Escape routes should be clear and free from trip hazards. Combustible items further increase the risk of spreading fire throughout the building.
" " Sometimes fire safety devices can seem inconvenient and get in the way. But not only can it be illegal to put them out of action, it can be highly dangerous. If a fire door needs holding open, it can be done so legally with a fire door retainer, which self-closes when smoke alarms sound.
" " Not only is it vital to have a pre-determined fire evacuation plan, but all fire exits should be kept clear too. Blocking entrances can cause trip hazards and block the flow of evacuees leaving via that route.
" " Fire doors help to contain fire and smoke if there is fire in a building. To function properly, they need to be able to close automatically in case of a fire or need to be kept close in the first place. Wedging fire doors open is dangerous, as the smoke and fire will now spread unhindered. If you want to keep fire doors open for air circulation or easy of movement you need to use fire door retainers.
" " The smoke alarm on this picture is at head height. Should there be a fire it would take a long time for the smoke to reach this level, as the smoke first accumulates on the ceiling and then fills the room as it travels downwards. Valuable escape time would be lost because of this, so always try to fit smoke alarms on the ceiling.
" " Always make sure that fire doors are either closed or kept open in a way that ensures that the door closes automatically if there is a fire. Fire door retainers are the answers. By mis-using an extinguisher as a fire door holder, you also have removed an important fire fighting piece of equipment from its normal place, which could lead to problems when you try to find the extinguisher in a rush.