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Fire compliance - Ensuring the safety of your workplace

Prevention is always better than cure and in the case of a fire in the workplace, it can lead to financial loss, personal loss, and even loss of life. On top of any immediate losses suffered by a fire, it can take a great deal of time for businesses to return to normal operation after such an incident. For these reasons it’s vital that businesses take the matter of fire safety very seriously and implement robust fire safety procedures in the workplace. U.K fire safety legislation states that it’s mandatory for all businesses to practise fire compliance, or face serious consequences. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, 2005 provides clear guidance regarding fire compliance, including guidelines for safety precautions and procedures, fire risk assessments and fire safety equipment.

So, within your organisation who will you entrust with the responsibilities of fire safety compliance? 

Fire compliance responsibilities

An organisation or business that employs at least five members of staff must entrust fire safety responsibility to a 'responsible person'. This responsible person must ensure that all duties relating to fire safety are carried out in a diligent and timely manner. 

Fire risk assessment - The most important measure of fire compliance is to conduct fire risk assessments and keep a record of them. Failure to produce records during an inspection can result in prosecution. Fire risk assessments must also be reviewed on a regular basis. The role of the designated responsible person is to identify any risks, evaluate fire safety measures, assess fire drills and training, and record all findings for periodic review. 

Fire safety signs - As per fire safety regulations, all fire safety signage, which may include fire exits, fire extinguishers, alarm points, warning and prohibition signs, and other fire equipment signs should be clearly visible. 

Emergency lighting - Emergency lighting is necessary to highlight escape routes, light communal areas to prevent panic, and shut down hazardous processes in the case of a fire. Regulations require emergency lightings to be tested for one hour, at least twice per year.

Fire extinguishers - It is of utmost importance that all fire extinguishers are in good working condition and are ready for use any time that they are required, and they should be periodically checked to ensure that they function correctly. Every floor in a building should have at least 2 class A fire extinguishers, and CO2 extinguishers where electrical equipment is situated. 

Fire safety alarms - Although fire alarms are not a legal requirement, it is advisable to install them. Fire alarms should be installed at exit points and anywhere that’s clearly audible to all concerned. Tests should be carried out every six monthly to check they are in good working condition.

Fire safety training - Last but not the least, fire safety training is imperative for all employees (both old and new). Refreshers should be given every year and any new updates need to be clearly communicated. Fire drills should be carried out regularly and an appointed fire marshal should be given the role of assisting with an evacuation and the use of fire extinguishers. 

Good Indoor Air Quality is the hallmark of a healthy working environment

Though there are currently no regulations in place to dictate indoor air quality, The Health, Safety and Welfare Regulation 1992 (HMSO, 1992) requires businesses to provide sufficient ventilation and thermal comfort for their employees. With the number of respiratory disorders on the rise in the UK and with the current pandemic affecting us all, there is a clear need for us to address indoor air quality very seriously. Poor indoor air quality in the workplace can lead to occupational illnesses and poor performance amongst employees. Steps that can be taken to increase air quality in the workplace include :

Conduct surveys in an effort to identify problems faced by employees

Identifying the source of a pollutant and eliminating it

Regularly check ventilation systems

Get help from professionals

Regularly monitor temperature and humidity

The quality of air that’s breathed by employees directly affects their health and the productivity of the organisation that they work for. 

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Ensuring Workplace Productivity:

Indoor Air Quality

 Poor air quality in the workplace can lead to health and productivity issues. To achieve a healthy office environment for all staff, maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential. Today however, as new buildings have become ever more energy efficient, they have also become increasingly airtight, potentially raising the risk of poor indoor air quality. Poor air quality in the workplace can result in symptoms such as allergic reactions, loss of energy, headaches, and irritation of the eyes and throat.

Harvard Study Research 

People who work in well-ventilated workplaces have substantially higher cognitive function scores when reacting to a crisis, or designing a plan, according to a 2015 report from Harvard. 

24 participants worked in a managed office setting at Syracuse University for six days, including architects, designers, programmers, engineers, creative marketing experts, and managers.

They were exposed to a variety of simulated building environments, including a traditional office setting with high VOC concentrations, “green” conditions with improved ventilation, and artificially elevated CO2 levels. It was discovered that participants who worked in a green environment had cognitive achievement scores that were on average twice as high as those who worked in traditional environments.

Poor indoor air quality can incur costs arising from a decrease in overall productivity and health conditions such as respiratory issues, headaches, and sinus infections. Here are a few considerations to bear in mind :

Building location

The quantity and form of indoor contaminants are heavily influenced by a building’s location. Dust and soot particles can be a problem if you are situated near busy roads, whilst buildings located on former industrial sites, or that have an elevated water level, are often susceptible to damp, to water leaks, and to chemical contaminants. Also, if a building or its surroundings are undergoing renovation, dust and other construction material by-products can easily circulate through ventilation systems.

Hazardous materials

For many years, asbestos was a common material used for both insulation and for fireproofing, and it can still be found in materials such as thermoplastics and vinyl floor tiles, as well as in bitumen roofing materials. Asbestos isn't a real concern until it's disturbed, such as when renovating. Asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer can be directly caused by asbestos fibers. Asbestos fibers can be easily inhaled when airborne, and can develop serious and deadly diseases over time. Sadly, there is still no cure for asbestos-related diseases.

Inadequate ventilation

An effective, well-maintained ventilation system that circulates and replaces used air with fresh air is critical for healthy indoor air quality. Standard ventilation systems aren't built to eliminate large quantities of contaminants, but they do help to reduce air pollution in the workplace. When a buildings’ ventilation system fails, the indoor air quality will decline dramatically, pollutants will rise and the humidity will increase.

There are many methods for determining air quality in the workplace. In order to achieve the best conditions, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), the temperature, and humidity of the air, as well as recurring symptoms amongst employees, must all be monitored and examined regularly. This is why testing the quality of the indoor air in the office or workplace should be a priority. All who work in your building will be reassured that you are concerned for their continued health and wellbeing.

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Increase your quality of life

The difficulties we face

Pollution is rising globally and we are causing significant damage to our natural habitats. Trees are becoming more scarce in our cities, whilst the quality of our air and water is steadily declining. Now, as we face an unprecedented pandemic in the wake of Covid-19, our lives are changing at an even more rapid rate, with the quality of life reducing even further for many of us.

As we contemplate spending more time inside, the quality of our indoor environments has become even more significant. Indoor air quality is now a hot topic as we are trapped inside and are ever more concerned about airborne viruses. 

Cause of poor IAQ

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can negatively impact both our health and our wellbeing. There are a number of factors which contribute to the degradation of indoor air quality :  

1. Lack of adequate ventilation

2. High levels of humidity

3. Allergens such as spores, pollen, fungi and dust

4. Exterior factors such as high levels of traffic, construction, pesticides and factories

5. Asbestos and Radon gas

6. Products including air-fresheners, paints and cleaners

7. Carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds

8. HVAC’s

Effects of poor IAQ

The factors listed above, and others besides, are detrimental to human health and consequently cause immediate correlating impact. However many effects are more subtle and can take time to present themselves. Poor indoor air quality can result in :

Sneezing and breathlessness

Headaches and nasal congestion

Dizziness and nausea

Fatigue and shortness of breath

Irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat

Asthma and bronchial attacks

Low concentration and productivity rates

BRI (Building related illnesses) 

Preventive measure

The degree to which these effects can be observed differs from person to person. Nevertheless, poor IAQ could be a potential lawsuit waiting to happen. Thankfully there are preventive measures that can be taken to avoid the deterioration of indoor air quality. 

It is advisable for organisations to proactively include indoor air quality assessments as a component of their risk management practices.

Housekeeping and cleaning products such as less toxic paints and varnishes can replace those with high chemical concentrates.

Ensuring proper ventilation helps remove stale air and residual pollutants.

Maintaining optimal room temperatures is important and relative to productivity.

Air-filters and humidifiers are a worthy investment, especially during winter months.

It is extremely good value to talk to a specialist consultant who can provide appropriate advice regarding air quality. 

Working with like-minded, active and informative consultants is the key to avoiding a poor IAQ. 

Acufire is one of the United Kingdom's leading air quality specialists. With many years of experience in the industry, Acufire offers its clients extremely bespoke services, and are fully experienced with HVAC designs for complex systems. The team comprises competent industry experts that work to high professional standards and respond quickly and decisively to their clients’ requirements.

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In the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, businesses globally have seen sales plummet and investments bleed-out. Established businesses have been rocked to their foundations, whilst enthusiastic new start-ups have had their ambitions reigned-in. If nothing else, the global pandemic has definitely taught us one thing - We are all perpetually at risk.

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By complying with fire safety regulations and providing staff with good quality fire training, employees can feel a greater sense of personal security which in return can lead to a greater level of respect for their employer.

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A GUIDE TO COMPLIANCE IN 2021

The importance for businesses to be compliant is often overlooked. In essence, the word 'compliance' refers to the meeting of legal obligations predefined by industry authorities and government. These obligations are often of benefit to employees and employers alike, with the safeguarding of health and welfare as an example.

A great benefit of being compliant is that employees have a work environment that is much safer to work in, which consequently increases productivity and employee retention. In addition, businesses avoid the risk of receiving fines, lawsuits, penalties and other costly ramifications.  

Let's look at a few areas where compliance rewards both employees and employers:

Building compliance

These are industry regulations that have been defined to help protect the safety, health and welfare of individuals whilst at their place of work. An unsafe building is not only dangerous to those who work inside it, but it significantly affects morale and the perception of the business as a whole. 

Building compliance reports are designed to highlight the areas that need improvement. For example - the regulation of toxic substances stipulates that preventive measures must be taken in order to prevent toxic fumes from being inhaled by the building’s occupants - sounds very sensible doesn’t it?

Noncompliance with this particular issue could potentially result in serious injury or even death. 

Building compliance reports also offer solutions that help organisations enhance efficiency, increase protection, upgrade current safety standards and improve protocols. 

Fire compliance

Fire-related regulations are particularly important, which have huge consequences for non-compliance.

A thorough assessment of fire hazards in the workplace is mandatory to safeguard individuals and prevent damage to the building and operation of the business. It also establishes strategies and preventive measures in the event of a fire, such as a fire evacuation procedure. Fire evacuation procedures are a key step to mitigating the impact of a fire, as in cases of emergency it is crucial that all individuals present understand what they must do and where they go. So then, failure to conduct regular fire compliance assessments will not only result in a fine, but can also seriously jeopardise the safety of your workplace and all those who work in it.

Energy Compliance

Contrary to popular assumptions, energy compliance audits can actually save you money. Designed to identify areas of waste and optimise current energy usage, they can assist businesses by identifying areas where a change of practice, or of technology, can be beneficial to the environment and also to reduce overall operational costs. A thorough energy compliance report can not only provide opportunities to bring down carbon emissions, but also take advantage of tax rebates and other such benefits. 

A smart business will always know how best to protect itself from risk. Acufire Compliance Services are a smart solution for your business, protecting you from risk and the penalties of non-compliance. 

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BE PROSPEROUS & RESPONSIBLE – WITH BUSINESS CASE DEVELOPMENT & RISK MANAGEMENT

Developing a business to see it grow and achieve success, requires strategic planning, a great deal of effort, a good head for figures, along with many other qualities and skills. To see your company right up there, competing more successfully than your competitors is the ambition of every business owner. This is certainly no easy task, but there are practices and principles that can help towards achieving your ambitions. By setting goals, judicious planning and regular reviewal, all business activities can be assessed for success and compliance. 

Acufire is a leading UK compliance service provider with a team of highly experienced and skilled individuals,ready to help you and your business with risk management and business case development.

We can help lift some of the weight from your shoulders with our comprehensive compliance services, whilst assisting you with strategic business case development that can help to deliver key growth to your business.

a) RISK MANAGEMENT

It is vital for all companies to understand the risks associated with their operations, and develop contingency plans to avoid or minimise the impact of them. Some basic principles of risk management include :

1.       Identifying risks

2.       Analysing risks

3.       Controlling risks

4.       Financing – funding of losses

5.       Claims management

We believe that risk management enables an organisation to achieve its objectives via the effective management of risk. Need-specific solutions are provided in each case so that your business isn’t hindered by unforeseen events and allowed to reach its full potential. Acufire has developed an innovative process of tackling risks and its associated repercussions, one that transforms uncertainty into an opportunity for growth.

 b) BUSINESS CASE DEVELOPMENT

It is important here to outline what is meant by the term ‘business case’. A business case is a written or verbal proposal that lays out an intention or proposal, with the aim of helping a decision-maker or investor take the necessary action. Business case development increases the value of a proposal or project. The steps involved in developing a good business case are :

1.       To confirm an opportunity

2.       Analyse and shortlist available options

3.       Evaluate the options

4.       Implement a strategy

5.       Recommendations

The business case structure developed by Acufire is highly valuable in determining the best of course of action to be taken. We provide multi-faceted improvement opportunities which have the best chance of achieving returns on investment. We get to the roots of understanding our client’s perspective and requirements, providing effective, professional, and efficient business case methods for each proposal.

Among the many other services we provide, we specialise in energy efficiency investment projects, helping your business greatly reduce its operational costs.

You can visit our website today and complete the contact form, or send us an email or give us a quick call. We’ll be very happy to chat with you about your specific requirements. 

By choosing Acufire, you’ll be extending your team to include highly experienced professionals who know how to help you get the most out of your business.