Fire is a constant risk in all types of workplaces. To ensure that staff and the public stay safe, every business should have a range of fire safety precautions in place. One of the simplest and most effective ways to enhance the fire safety measures in your workplace is to put up a fire safety poster.
A fire safety poster can reinforce important emergency information and help people understand what to do if a fire occurs.
Additionally, a fire safety poster can support workplace fire safety arrangements by reinforcing key messages, but it does not replace required fire safety signs, training, risk assessment or emergency procedures.
This article will provide you with a short guide on the law surrounding fire safety signage, the benefits of having a fire safety poster and what details it should include.
In England and Wales, the main workplace fire safety duties are set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Fire Safety Order places duties on the “responsible person”.
The responsible person is defined as someone who ‘has control of premises or anyone who has a degree of control over certain areas or systems’. This may be a business owner, a landlord, a manager, a supervisor or a staff member. Some businesses may have more than one responsible person.
The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 are the relevant legislation concerning fire safety signage in Great Britain. Employers must provide safety signs where a significant risk remains after other controls have been put in place, and where signs would help reduce that risk.
While it does not replace the need for fire safety signs, a fire safety poster incorporates this information and provides other crucial details on fire prevention and emergency fire procedures.
In the event of a fire, action may need to be taken quickly to prevent damage to property, injuries or fatalities. The simple act of placing a poster with relevant information in a prominent area can help people understand what to do in an emergency situation. Keep in mind, fires can cause people to panic and act in an irrational or dangerous manner.
If a fire does occur, having easy-to-read, clear instructions on what to do can help people follow the correct emergency procedures and reduce the risk of harm.
There are many commercially available fire safety posters that you can purchase. If bought from a reputable supplier, these posters can contain useful information on fire prevention and emergency procedures. However, it may be that a workplace has specific requirements and instructions. In this case, creating a bespoke fire safety poster may be the best option.
As well as providing information on what steps to take in an emergency, a fire safety poster can also detail what precautions to take.
This includes steps that can be taken to eliminate or reduce the risk of fire in the workplace, such as:
- Risk assessments
- Fire-resistant storage for combustible materials
- Identifying and controlling ignition sources
- Reducing quantities of flammable liquids in the workplace
- Increased fire detection and fire alarms in high-risk areas
This includes measures that can be taken to minimise the risk of fire, such as:
- Ensuring all fire exits and evacuation routes are clearly marked
- Ensuring all fire exits and evacuation routes are clear of obstructions
- Installing emergency lighting and smoke detection devices
- Providing staff with fire safety training
- Preparing a fire safety plan
This includes a list of maintenance duties for fire safety equipment. For example, reminders to inspect, test and maintain fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting, fire doors, signage and escape routes at suitable intervals, in line with the fire risk assessment, manufacturer guidance and relevant standards.
Information on what staff should do if a fire is discovered, such as:
- Sounding a fire alarm immediately
- Only trying to fight the fire if it is safe to do so
- Evacuation procedures
This section may also include reminders on what not to do, for instance, do not exit via lifts or stop to collect personal belongings.
This section should detail where to find the fire extinguishers and how to identify the different types of fire extinguishers.
Common fire extinguisher types are identified by coloured labels or panels on red extinguisher bodies. These include:
- Water extinguishers – red label. Commonly used for Class A fires involving solid materials such as wood, paper and textiles.
- Foam extinguishers – cream label. Commonly used for Class A fires and some Class B flammable liquid fires.
- Dry powder extinguishers – blue label. Often suitable for Class A, B and C fires, depending on the extinguisher type.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers – black label. Commonly used for electrical equipment fires and some Class B flammable liquid fires.
- Wet chemical extinguishers – yellow label. Designed for fires involving cooking oils and fats.
Provide staff with simple, clear instructions on how to call emergency services. This should include details on the correct emergency services number (in the UK, call 999 or 112 in an emergency) and reminders to confirm the telephone number, state the nature of the emergency and provide the exact location.
Putting up a fire safety poster is a great way to remind staff of their duties and responsibilities and provide them with the critical information they can use during an emergency. However, all staff should be provided with adequate fire safety training.
Human Focus offers online fire safety courses that are approved by recognised bodies. In addition to the range of fire safety training, Human Focus also has free downloadable infographics that can be used to enhance the safety of your workplace.
