Feature
Fire Safety: Going Above And Beyond
Fire risk assessments are often treated as something a business does routinely, and unless the unthinkable happens, the assessment may not be integral to the business and its culture. Paul Rankin, Director of Fire and Aviation at Securitas UK, shares his insights on how fire safety must be woven into the fabric of a business and how Facilities Managers play a pivotal role in this.
Fires cost UK businesses £12 billion every year1 . That
is an average loss of £650,074 per incident: a significant sum that could be detrimental to a business.
When it comes to fire prevention, all it takes is one small act or something seemingly indiscriminate to have a catastrophic impact. From a cigarette being inappropriately disposed of by an employee and accidentally setting a bin alight, to external perpetrators deliberately causing arson, fire incidents can easily cause business operations to halt to a close. From man-made to natural disasters that are unpredictable by their very nature, businesses must remain vigilant and alert to the fire and safety threats their businesses face.
Many businesses may think their sector is lower risk or that they have never had an incident before. Some businesses will also suggest that they rely on precedent of past incidents to inform them of emerging patterns to respond to fire risks. Yet, unfortunately, a tragedy can strike at any time, and some do not give you foresight or respond to patterns. However, preparedness and a comprehensive, initial risk assessment will help the appropriate personnel be ready to respond.
Many small to medium-sized businesses often think that fire risk assessments only apply to larger enterprises with the resources to manage them in-house. In reality, understanding and assessing fire risks is mission-critical for all businesses, large or small.
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