Fire Protection
Fires in industry are a perennial problem. They cause both loss of life and substantial financial losses. More than one third of businesses, which suffer a severe fire, fail to recover fully. The most significant consequence is complete closure. However, other severe consequences include business interruption and loss of market share. In financial terms, business interruption losses are estimated to be three to four times greater than physical property loss. The latest statistics show nearly 600 deaths from fire per year. Overall, the cost to the UK economy is £2.5 billion.
Businesses need to be aware of the risks and take appropriate steps to control the potential fire hazards. Legislation is primarily concerned with the risk to people on the premises, rather than the risks to the property itself. The UK legislation in this area changed substantially during 2006. Now, the responsible person for the premises or business needs to understand what is required. These changes place new emphasis on fire prevention and place the responsibility for fire safety clearly with the employer.
In the UK, any fire certificate for the premises has lost its legal status. Instead, local fire brigades will inspect premises and expect to see a written assessment of the risks and the precautions in place. Although the legislation is concerned with ensuring the safety of people, any prudent business also needs to consider asset protection.
For more information, please download our Fire Protection leaflet.
Pratical and pragmatic advice - with safety in mind