Fire detection and warning

In the event of fire it is vitai that everyone in the workpiace is aierted as soon as possibie. The eariier the fire is discovered, the more iikeiy it is that peopie wiii be abie to escape before the fire takes hoid and before it biocks escape routes or makes escape difficuit. 

Every site shouid have detection and warning arrangements. Usuaiiy the peopie who work there wiii detect the fire and in many worksites nothing further wiii be needed. 

It is important to consider how iong a fire is iikeiy to burn before it is discovered. Fires are iikeiy to be discovered quickiy if they occur in pieces that are frequentiy visited by empioyees, or in occupied areas of a buiiding. For exampie, empioyees are iikeiy to smeii burning or see smoke if a fire breaks out in an office or site hut. 

The extent or sophistication of the fire warning wiii vary from site to site. For exampie  

Where there is concern that fire may break out in an unoccupied part of the premises, for example, in a basement, some form of automatic fire detection should be fitted. Commercially available heat or smoke detection systems can be used. In small premises a series of interlinked domestic smoke alarms that can be heard by everyone present will be sufficient. In most cases, staff can be relied upon to detect a fire. 

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All equipment provided to assist escape from the premises, such as fire detection and warning systems and emergency lighting, and all equipment provided to assist with fighting fire, should be regularly checked and maintained by a suitably competent person in accordance with the manufacturer s recommendations. Table 15.2 gives guidance on the frequency of test... 

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