As your business grows – whether through facility upgrades, office expansions, or storage reconfigurations – it’s crucial not to overlook fire safety. Has your fire alarm system been updated to align with the changes in your building’s layout?
If the answer is no, you should consider a comprehensive fire risk assessment to ensure your building remains safe, compliant, and secure.
Why building layout changes matter for fire safety
When a building or production area is originally designed, a fire alarm system will have been installed according to the specific layout of that space. This design likely included strategically placed alarms, fire detection systems, and well-marked escape routes that ensured optimal safety and compliance with regulations at that time.
However, when you make alterations, such as adding new rooms, moving machinery, changing storage configurations, or expanding work areas, the fire alarm system that once worked perfectly may no longer be adequate. New obstacles may block old escape routes, new hazards may arise, and areas that were once easily accessible for evacuation might become potential death traps.
The importance of having regular fire risk assessments
A fire risk assessment is a systematic process used to evaluate the fire hazards in your building and ensure all fire safety protocols are up to date. This includes assessing detection systems, escape routes, and emergency response plans. Read more on the importance of fire risk assessments here.
If the building layout has changed since the initial installation of the fire alarm, a fire risk assessment should be a top priority for several reasons:
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Detection systems might be inadequate
Your fire detection system needs to be updated to cover any newly added spaces or areas with changed functionality. For example, if you’ve transformed a storage area into a production room or office space, the existing detection systems may not provide adequate coverage. A fire risk assessment will identify any gaps in fire detection and suggest solutions to ensure comprehensive protection.
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Escape routes may no longer be safe
Altered layouts can create new bottleneck points or block access to established fire exits. This in turn may slow down evacuation times, potentially trapping employees. A new assessment will help identify potential problems and ensure alternative escape routes are designated and clearly marked.
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New fire hazards could now be present
For example, adding new machinery or electrical equipment without considering its proximity to combustible materials could heighten fire risk. A fire risk assessment will evaluate the new layout for any increased hazards and ensure that fire safety measures are updated accordingly.
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Compliance with legal obligations
As a business owner or manager, you have a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for your employees; this includes maintaining up-to-date fire safety measures. Many regulations, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in the UK, require businesses to conduct regular fire risk assessments, especially after significant changes to the workplace. Failing to update your fire safety protocols could therefore not only put your employees at risk, but also leave your business vulnerable to penalties.
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Meeting insurance requirements
Many business insurance policies include clauses related to fire safety compliance. If your fire alarm system and fire safety procedures are outdated or inadequate due to recent layout changes, your insurance provider may refuse to cover damages in the event of a fire.
Protecting your business and your people
Building layout changes are often necessary to accommodate growth and evolving business needs, but fire safety should never take a backseat. By performing a fire risk assessment after significant changes to your production area or office space, you not only ensure compliance with legal obligations but also provide peace of mind for your employees and protect your business from potential fire hazards.
How we can help
If you do not have the expertise or time to do the fire risk assessment yourself, you need to appoint a ‘competent person’ to help.
As professional risk assessors, our fire safety experts can conduct a full assessment of your building, identifying any fire hazards and potential individuals at risk. We put in place robust processes to evaluate, remove or reduce the risks and then prepare an emergency plan and provide training on all aspects so that you are fully prepared in case of an emergency situation.
Through our ongoing support service, we’ll review and update the fire risk assessment regularly to ensure processes are continually in line, no matter how much your space changes.