Following the recent developments in the UK’s response to coronavirus (COVID -19), firefighters are asking business owners and building managers to remember their fire safety responsibilities, and check to ensure procedures cover any change in circumstances.
It is likely that most organisations will have seen normal working practices change over the last few weeks. It is important that if these changes impact on the usual fire safety arrangements, the Fire Risk Assessment and policies for the organisation are reviewed to ensure fire safety provisions are in place and effective.
Group Commander Phill Mould from Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service said: “If you manage a building or own a business, you have a legal requirement to reduce the risk from fire, keep people safe and make sure they can escape.”
“We are asking anyone with these responsibilities to ensure their premises are safe, review their fire risk assessment and ensure that existing safety measures are effective. It is really important that your procedures are updated in response to changes, for example, a change in use of premises, or number of staff available to carry out essential tests of smoke alarm and fire detection systems.”
