4 Benefits of Fire Safety Training

Everything you should know about Fire Training

Author -
Angus Stone
A chartered electronics engineer with over 40 years experience in Emergency Lighting and Fire Detection and Alarm systems.

Angus has been involved in developing and writing British and International Fire & Safety standards since the mid-1980s. The list of standards that he has participated in is impressive and includes BS5839-1, BS8629, EN54-18 and ISO7240-2.  Angus utilises his extensive experience to provide an authoritative perspective on the key issues that affect the Fire & Security Industry today.

Angus has been involved in developing and writing British and International Fire & Safety standards since the mid-1980s. The list of standards that he has participated in is impressive and includes BS5839-1, BS8629, EN54-18 and ISO7240-2.  Angus utilises his extensive experience to provide an authoritative perspective on the key issues that affect the Fire & Security Industry today.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, employers are responsible for ensuring that their employees have the necessary fire safety training to perform their duties safely. This includes providing fire safety training for new employees and updating existing employees' training on a regular basis. In order to fulfil your obligations under current Fire Safety Law it is essential that you have a documented regime of Fire Safety tests and checks and personnel who are suitably trained to respond correctly in the event of an emergency.

The Benefits of Fire Training

Providing fire safety training to your employees has several benefits, including:

  1. Improved safety of employees and visitors: By providing fire safety training, you’re reducing the risk of fire-related incidents and ensuring that your employees and visitors are kept safe.
  2. Reduced risk of fire-related incidents: Regular fire training and evacuation drills can help to prevent fires from starting in the first place, reducing the risk of fire-related incidents.
  3. Protection of the business and its assets: In the event of a fire, a well-trained workforce can help to minimize damage and protect your business and its assets.
  4. Compliance with the law: Providing fire safety training is a legal obligation, so by doing so you’re ensuring that your business is compliant with the law.

Different Types of Fire Training Available

There are several types of fire safety training available each with a different focus.

To comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, most Fire Safety Systems and equipment should be inspected by the ‘user’ at specified British Standard frequencies. There is also a requirement to conduct a periodic Premises Fire Evacuation.

Fixfire® provides you with the support you need to ensure persons are suitably equipped and instructed to perform and record these important checks and tests.

User Responsibilities Training is provided on site and is tailored to your specific requirements.

  • Fire Awareness Training: This type of training provides employees with a basic understanding of fire safety, including the dangers of fire, how to prevent fires and what to do in the event of a fire. This general fire safety information course includes fire extinguisher training and is aimed at all staff (particularly new employees) in all workplaces, to help them understand basic fire safety principles and assist them in identifying hazards and reducing the risks from the fire in the workplace.
  • Fire Warden/Marshal Training: This training is specifically designed for employees who have been designated as fire wardens or marshals. They will learn how to take charge of an evacuation, operate firefighting equipment and communicate with emergency services. This course will raise awareness of how people may behave in a range of emergency evacuation situations and the necessary actions to be taken before, during and after an incident. ‘Prevention is better than cure’ and this message is reinforced during training.
  • Fire Safety Management Training Course This course gives specific guidance on how to proactively manage fire safety in the workplace. It includes reference to the effective management of day-to-day fire safety, maintenance of records, fire risk assessments and staff training which is essential in order to comply with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Persons attending this session will be taken through the practical application of the Fire Safety Order in your business and how to implement it and provide the necessary information to enable you to comply.

Got a question about Fire Safety Training? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice?  Get in touch today!

For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.

Freephone 08000891999

CLICK HERE to continue reading

Following the recommendations of BS5839 Part 1 2017 (Fire Alarm British Standard), it is a mandatory requirement to have an up to date, clear and accurate Fire Alarm Zone Chart adjacent to your Fire Alarm Control Panel and any repeater panels you have in your premises.

The purpose of the Zone Chart is to assist persons responding to an alarm to quickly identify the specific location in the building and to help the Fire Brigade understand the building layout before they enter.

When the Fire Alarm System is installed, the building is divided into Fire Zones. Any Manual Call Point (Red Box) or Fire Detector that is fitted will trigger a particular zone when activated.

The Zone Chart shows the division of each zone area with a ‘You are Here’ arrow to identify the position of the Fire Alarm Panel. The view of the building should be orientated in relation to the Fire Alarm Panel position to minimise confusion.

What is involved in producing a Zone Chart?

STEP 1:
STEP 2:
You provide a suitable up to date drawing of your building in either:
  • Hard copy
  • PDF
  • Or preferably AutoCAD (dwg) format
Depending on the availability of installation records and the complexity of the building, we arrange a visit to identify the zone number associated with each Fire Alarm Manual Call Point and Fire Detector (for practicality this may involve two engineers).
STEP 3:
STEP 4:
Fire Alarm Zone Chart is created.
Fire Alarm Zone Chart is supplied in A4 or A3 glazed frame for installation adjacent to your Fire Alarm Panel.
CLICK HERE to continue reading

You have a legal duty of care to dispose of waste legitimately and safely via a licensed waste carrier. Failure to do so can result in prosecution, even if you have outsourced the disposal to a third party.

The Fixfire® Extinguisher Recycling Process is your reassurance that any Fire Extinguishers we remove from your premises have been disposed of in a safe and legal manner. 97% of each processed Fire Extinguisher is recycled.

Our contracted Extinguisher Recycling Unit (ERU) is a dedicated facility offering a service for the safe processing and recycling/disposal of fire extinguishers. The facility operates closely with the local Water Authority and the Environment Agency to develop safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processes, ensuring that ISO14001 certification is upheld.

Got a question about Fire Extinguisher Disposal?  Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!

For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.

Freephone 08000 891999

CLICK HERE to continue reading

False Fire Alarms remain a huge concern within the education sector- interrupting already carefully scheduled, planned and well-prepared lessons or even causing major disruption and distress to exams.  

Clearly, these false alarms cause significant inconvenience and disruption to students, staff, and visitors. They compromise everyone’s safety in the school and present a significant risk to the local community since the Fire Brigade will prioritise the school over other emergency callouts.

Solutions you should consider:

Anti-tamper products

The first and most straightforward way is to use anti-tamper products.

Fixfire® supplies a wide range of solutions designed to protect Fire Alarm Devices from inadvertent damage or deliberate misuse/vandalism.

Products include:

  • Local plastic cover flaps which attach directly to manual call points.
  • The stopper consists of a clear, tamperproof, tough polycarbonate cover, frame and spacer that retrofits over a break glass call point. When lifted to operate the break glass unit, its optional battery powered integral sounder emits a piercing 96dB (at 1m). Immediate attention is drawn to the area and a prankster will either run or be caught!
  • A range of steel web stoppers designed to protect fire detectors and warning devices. They are constructed from heavy-duty galvanised steel rod which is plastic-coated for durability and external use.
  • A range of polycarbonate enclosures are available for the protection of devices such as fire alarm control panels and associated control equipment. The enclosures combine tough rugged construction with stylish design and offer excellent protection with a key lock for authorised access.

We also provide anti-tamper devices for fire extinguishers and associated products.

KeyCall® Call Point

KeyCall® is a patented anti-ligature Fire Alarm and Access Control call point. It is designed to use the same key as the doors, providing simple operation for staff whilst eliminating nuisance activations by service-users.

KeyCall® has been developed by Fixfire® specifically for approved applications where standard versions would be vulnerable to abuse.

It is one of the best solutions for SEN schools and it is also compatible with a wide range of Conventional and Addressable Fire Alarm Systems.

CLICK HERE to continue reading

Got a question about False Fire Alarms? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice?  Get in touch today!

For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.

Freephone 08000 891999

Download Your Guide
4 Benefits of Fire Safety Training
Fixfire® Training Services
Related Links
Free site assessments, personal service & helpful advice. Contact us today!
Contact us today
08000 891 999
GET IN TOUCH