Author: InsightEdge

Many homeowners allow fire safety and precautions to slip to the back of their minds. However, it cannot be overstated how important it is to be prepared in the event of a fire. An effective fire safety plan doesn’t take long to put together, and shouldn’t be too expensive.

We’ve created a short guide that everyone should be able to follow with ease, so you can put your home’s fire safety first.

Fit Your Home With Alarms

There are two different alarms that every home will need.

Fire Alarms

At a minimum, each level of your home should have at least one fire alarm. However, this rule should be applied sensibly. If you have a large bungalow that consists of many rooms that are far apart, you’ll almost certainly need more alarms.

Your fire alarms will also need to be tested regularly to ensure they’re working. A quick check once per month is ideal, and shouldn’t take too long.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

You should also have carbon monoxide alarms fitted in every room of your property that has a fuel-burning appliance. This is particularly important if your home has a boiler in the bedroom, as carbon monoxide is an undetectable killer. Just like your fire alarms, you should be testing your carbon monoxide alarm every month to ensure it’s working properly.

The only exception might be a home that doesn’t use fuel-burning appliances such as gas boilers, fires or stoves. However, even without these fixtures it’s still worth fitting a carbon monoxide alarm as you never know when a gas appliance could be brought into your home unexpectedly. Even portable gas fires can pose a risk.

Protect Your Kitchen From Fire

With 60% of fires starting in the kitchen, it’s important to know how to cook safely.

Smoke Alarms Or Heat Alarms?

Smoke alarms can be annoying in the kitchen, as some dishes will produce a safe amount of smoke that could trigger the alarm.

This is why we recommend fitting heat alarms in your kitchen. These will only trigger when the temperature increases rapidly, making it more accurate at detecting fires. With heat alarms, if you burn some toast you won’t need to worry about triggering them.

Always Cook With Care

You should never leave cooking unattended. If you need to leave the kitchen for any reason, the safest thing to do is to turn the hob and oven off. It’s easy to get distracted while cooking, so set timers and make sure you’re monitoring anything that’s on the heat.

Be mindful of any loose clothing, as it’s possible for it to catch alight if you’re not careful. Ideally, any fabric or hair will be tied up and kept out of the way. If you do find your clothing on fire at any time, the best thing to do is drop to the floor and roll to smother the flames. A fire blanket or piece of heavy fabric will help, but if none are available rolling on the floor will suffice. It’s important that you don’t run if you or your clothing are on fire, as this can make the flames bigger.

Clean Your Kitchen

It’s common for toasters to catch on fire when there are too many crumbs in the bottom. Build ups of fat or grease can also set alight if you’re not careful, so make sure you wipe down your hob, oven and extractor fans regularly.

Use Kitchen Equipment Mindfully

Never place a toaster underneath a cabinet or curtains when in use. Do not allow tea towels or kitchen paper to cover the toaster or hob. Don’t allow water to come into contact with electrical plugs or sockets. You also shouldn’t allow water to come into contact with hot fat. Don’t overfill your fryer or use more oil than necessary for cooking. Be careful when using oil, don’t allow it to smoke or it may catch fire. Never ever put metal in the microwave. Turn off any appliances when they’re not in use.

Don’t use cooking equipment when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs. Impaired judgement can lead to mistakes. Mistakes could lead to kitchen fires. It’s not worth the risk.

How To Deal With A Kitchen Fire

If a fire has broken out in your kitchen, you should know what to do. It’s important to act fast, as fires can spread quickly and easily get out of control.

When cooking equipment is involved, turn off the heat if it’s safe to do so. Do not throw water on the fire, as this can cause it to spread. If the fire is in the microwave or oven, don’t open the door. The lack of oxygen will help to starve the flames. If the fire is in a cooking pot or pan and it’s safe to do so, use an oven glove to put a lid on the pan.

You can smother a fire with salt or baking soda if you have enough to cover the flames. Never use flour to smother a fire, as this is combustible and can explode, making the situation worse. If you have access to a fire extinguisher, aim for the base of the fire and stand a safe distance away. Ensure the fire is extinguished fully. If you’re unable to contain the flames or feel that the fire is getting out of control, leave the room and shut the doors behind you. Evacuate your home and call 999.

For Fire Safety Equipment, Use Fire Trace

Our job is to ensure that fire safety equipment and information is easily accessible to everyone. We’re experts at minimising fire risk in all domestic and commercial spaces. We believe that fire safety is important in all spaces, don’t allow your home to be left at risk.

Fire prevention is a critical safety aspect in both residential and commercial settings. Understanding and implementing the fundamental principles of fire prevention can significantly reduce the risks associated with fire outbreaks. By adhering to these principles, individuals and organizations can effectively minimize the chances of fires occurring and mitigate potential damages. Here are the five essential principles of fire prevention:

Before exploring the specific principles, grasping the fire prevention concept is essential. Fire prevention principles encompass a set of guidelines and practices designed to minimize the occurrence of fires, reduce their impact, and enhance safety measures.

Principle 1: Elimination of Ignition Sources

Identifying and eliminating potential sources of ignition is crucial in preventing fires. Common sources include faulty electrical wiring, open flames, or overheated machinery. Ensuring proper maintenance and inspection can significantly reduce these risks.

Principle 2: Control and Management of Combustible Materials

Materials that can ignite and fuel fires need careful management. Storing combustible materials safely and following proper handling procedures can prevent accidental fires.

Principle 3: Installation and Maintenance of Fire Detection Systems

Early detection of fires is critical in preventing their escalation. Installing and regularly maintaining fire detection systems such as smoke detectors and fire alarms enhances response time and aids in swift action.

Principle 4: Training and Education for Fire Safety

Education and training programs on fire safety equip individuals with the knowledge to respond effectively to fire emergencies. Conducting drills and spreading awareness contribute to a safer environment.

Principle 5: Emergency Preparedness and Response

Developing comprehensive emergency response plans ensures that people know what to do in case of a fire. Regular drills and rehearsals help in executing these plans efficiently.

Conclusion

Understanding and implementing the five principles of fire prevention are crucial steps in safeguarding against fire incidents. By incorporating these principles into daily practices, individuals and organizations can significantly reduce the likelihood of fires and their potentially devastating consequences.

Emergency lighting is a vital part of any workplace, ensuring the safety of employees, visitors, and customers during power outages or emergencies. Whether in an office, a shop, a school, or a cinema, emergency lighting plays a key role in keeping people safe and meeting legal requirements. Let’s explore why it matters, the types available, and why regular maintenance is just as important as installation.

Safety During Emergencies

When the power goes out, it can be disorienting and even dangerous, especially in crowded spaces or areas with limited natural light. Emergency lighting switches on automatically, lighting up exit routes and commonly used pathways. This helps guide people to safety, reducing panic and ensuring a calm evacuation process.

Keeping Your Business Moving

Power outages can disrupt daily operations, leading to downtime and lost productivity. Emergency lighting can help staff carry on with tasks safely while waiting for the power to return. It can also make it easier to manage an orderly response to the outage, minimising confusion and keeping things running as smoothly as possible.

Meeting Legal Requirements

In the UK, emergency lighting is not just a good idea—it’s required by law. British Standard 5266-1 outlines the regulations for installing and maintaining these systems in buildings like offices, schools, hospitals, and shops. Following these rules is essential for keeping everyone safe and avoiding potential fines or legal issues.

Why Regular Maintenance Matters

Installing emergency lighting is only the first step. Regular maintenance is necessary to make sure it works when you need it most. Monthly functional checks and an annual full-duration test are recommended to spot and fix any problems. Neglecting maintenance could lead to lights failing during an emergency, putting lives at risk and potentially breaching health and safety laws. Keeping a logbook of all maintenance activities is a helpful way to stay organised and show compliance with regulations.

Different Types Of Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting comes in several forms, each suited to different needs:

• Maintained Units: These work as regular lights but switch to battery power during a power cut, providing continuous light.
• Non-Maintained Units: These only activate when the main power fails, making them ideal for emergency use only.  
• Combined Emergency Lights: These have two lights in one unit, with one powered by the mains and the other by a backup source. They can be set up as maintained or non-maintained, depending on the requirement.

Added Benefits For Your Workplace

Beyond safety and legal compliance, emergency lighting can offer other advantages. A well-lit environment during a power failure reassures customers and visitors, boosting their trust in your business. Employees also feel safer, knowing that their workplace is prepared for emergencies. This sense of security can contribute to a better overall work environment.

For Emergency Lighting Installation & Maintenance, Contact Fire Trace Today

Emergency lighting is more than just a legal requirement—it’s a simple way to protect your staff, customers, and business from unexpected power outages. With proper installation and regular maintenance, you can ensure that your workplace stays safe, secure, and prepared for anything. If your workplace needs lighting installed or maintained, it’s always best to rely on experts. At Fire Trace, we provide reliable and professional services, helping businesses meet safety standards without hassle. Our team is fully certified and experienced in working with a wide range of properties. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help keep your workplace safe and compliant.

Fires can get out of control very quickly. In fact, in as little as 30 seconds fires can double in size. A fire will spread more quickly if there are flammable items in its path, like certain furniture. That is why it’s so important to prevent violations and improve safety.

Acting today to correct your fire code violations will not only save you from fines during inspection, but also help you avoid costly damages and most importantly, protect the people working in your building.

Avoid these common fire safety violations:

1) Blocked Doors Preventing a Safe Exit

All exit doors must allow occupants to escape quickly during a drill or an emergency. Blocked passages and exit doors unfortunately are very common in busy workplaces. Leaving deliveries in hallways or storing goods in front of doorways, even for a few short hours, could be life-threatening if a fire breaks out and you need to evacuate. Be sure that aisles, stairways and walkways are clear and easy to navigate at all times.

2) Faulty Emergency Exit Lighting

All commercial buildings are required to have illuminated, unblocked exit signs. Exit signs must be tested and certified annually in order to pass fire safety inspections. These signs require backup batteries so that they can remain lit for at least 90 minutes during power outages. It’s a good idea to change exit sign batteries on the same day every year. A broken sign could mean life or death for a building occupant trying to exit during a fire.

3) Untested Fire Alarm Systems and Smoke Detectors

Fire alarm systems must be tested annually by a licensed technician. It is easy to forget to test these systems, especially if they are blocked by equipment or merchandise. Make sure that all fire alarm pull stations remain unblocked and are tested annually. In addition, keep up with missing or faulty smoke detectors by addressing chirping noises immediately, and replacing batteries on the same day every year. Unmaintained fire alarm systems and smoke detectors could result in more property damage and could be a contributing factor in building occupants not surviving a fire.

4) Extension Cords in Long-Term Use

You may have planned on using an extension cord as a temporary fix, but then left it in use for weeks or even months. Extension cords are designed for temporary use only and become a fire hazard if used permanently, making them one of most severe, yet common, fire code violations you can commit. Hire a licensed electrician to install electrical outlets where extension cords have been in use and be sure that the outlets, electrical panels and junction boxes are properly covered with UL-listed plates, as many commercial building fires stem from worn or faulty electrical wiring.

5) Missing or Damaged Fire Extinguishers

Ignoring inspections and maintenance of fire extinguishers is one of the most common violations. Missing, damaged, or partially used fire extinguishers are especially common in big box stores or large warehouses where it can be difficult to keep track of all of them. All fire extinguishers in your business should be fully charged, regularly inspected, and classified for each area of your building. Fire extinguishers are occupants’ first line of defense. If they do not work or are not available, fires can easily spread within minutes, resulting in further damage to the property or harm to the people inside.

6) Mismatched Sprinkler Systems

If your business was originally built for another purpose, sprinkler requirements for the particular type of building use could be mismatched. Sprinkler systems have vastly different requirements for different spaces, commodities and occupancy. If your building is newly converted, be sure to update your fire sprinklers to match your design and hazard classification. If the building does not have a sprinkler system, it’s important to consider having one professionally installed. Your system must also be professionally serviced as recommended by your municipality. A mismatched sprinkler system could result in the sprinklers not going off during a fire. This would result in more damage to the property, as well as significantly decreasing safety for the occupants.

7) Using Fire Pump or Riser Rooms as Storage Closets

While fire pump or riser rooms may seem like a great space for additional storage, storing anything other than fire protection equipment in them is a major violation. In the event of a fire, emergency personnel need to get into the space to work quickly and extra items prohibit or slow their ability to access important equipment. Be sure to check your fire pump and riser rooms for mops, brooms, and other miscellaneous items that may have found their way there. If fire and emergency personnel cannot get to these areas, it makes it more difficult for them to do their jobs. If they cannot get the fire extinguished quickly and easily, it can result in further damage.

8) Hanging Items from Fire Sprinklers and Piping

It may seem convenient to hang clothing, signs or lighting from sprinkler heads positioned on walls or ceilings, but hanging anything from the sprinklers can accidentally activate them, causing costly water damage. Despite the warnings, this is still a very common violation. In any type of business, do not hang or support anything on exposed sprinkler heads or piping. Lightweight items may seem harmless to hang, but they can cause serious issues. Warnings can be added so that occupants do not try to hang anything from the fire sprinklers. Oftentimes these can be seen in hotel rooms.

9) Blocked Outdoor Fire Department Connections and Valves

When fire departments are responding to an emergency, it is essential they have clear access to the building. This fire violation is extremely dangerous because it could increase firefighter injuries, allow fires to grow larger, and slow down the rescue of people inside the building. Landscaping, equipment, pallets, or dumpsters could block exterior fire department access points and fire hydrants.

10) Not Keeping Proper Records

If you work with several different contractors to inspect, maintain, repair and replace your fire safety system, it can be a challenge to keep the paperwork organized. Be sure to keep close records of all services, maintenance and inspections as proof of your compliance with fire codes. This is crucial for not only inspections, but if you ever need to submit an insurance claim you will need to have information on hand.

Check Your Property for Fire Safety Violations Today

By checking your property for these common safety violations, you will be better prepared for safety inspections and should disaster strike. Make sure that you have a plan in place to ensure routine maintenance and inspections are performed regularly.