If you are responsible for a business premises and your staff within that premises, fire alarms are one of the best ways to keep people safe, and are a vital part of your health and safety strategy. This includes almost all buildings, places and structures other than individual private homes. In fact, property and business owners are required by law to make sure premises reach required standards of fire safety.
Current UK fire alarm regulations state that all business premises must have ‘an appropriate fire detection system’. That means that if there’s a fire, there needs to be a way for that fire to be easily detected and for anyone in the building to be warned easily.
Here are our 5 top tips to consider when installing and maintaining a fire system in your business premises:
- Make sure you have the correct type of fire alarm system. It sounds obvious, but you need to ensure it is the best fit for your premises anyone in the building. Not all areas will require the same level of protection.
- Make sure you use a “competent person” to design, install, test and maintain your fire alarm system.
- Keep maintenance a top priority. It’s extremely important that the system is maintained regularly and thoroughly to keep it in full working order.
- Make sure your Fire Risk Assessment is current and fit for purpose, and you have an Emergency Plan in place.
- Regularly review and refresh the fire alarm system, procedures and staff training.
There is also a complex system of grades and categories that state how your fire alarm should be constructed, installed, tested and which areas it should cover. The best way for you to know what’s right for your property is to get advice from registered and Approved Electricians in St Albans and London.