Fire detection & warning systems

You must have a suitable fire detection and warning system. This can range from a shouted warning to a comprehensive electrical detection and warning system.

Whatever system you have it must be able to adequately warn people in all circumstances.




A means for fighting a small fire

Multipurpose fire extinguishers with a guaranteed shelf life may be acceptable.

As a rule of thumb you should have one extinguisher for every 200m2 of floor space with a minimum of one per floor.




Safe routes for people to leave the premises

• The ideal situation is when there are alternative escape routes from all parts of the premises, although this is not always possible.
• Where only one route is available other compensatory features may be necessary e.g. making escape routes fire resisting or installing automatic fire detection.
• The stairway and area near the exit should be kept clear of combustibles and obstructions.
• The escape route should lead to a final exit.
• Where the stairway is not fire resisting, the final exit should be visible and accessible from the discharge point of the stairway at ground floor level.High-risk rooms do not generally open directly into a fire-resisting stairway.
• If your fire risk assessment shows that people using any floor would be unaware of a fire you may require additional fire-protection measures, e.g. an automatic fire-detection and warning system.

Suitable fire exit doors

Fire exit doors and any doors on the escape routes should be operable without a key and without any specialist knowledge.

In public buildings push (panic) bars or push pads may be required.


Other matters to consider

• Adequate lighting (you may have to consider emergency lighting).
• Suitable fire safety signs in all but the smallest premises.
• Training for your staff or anyone else you may reasonably expect to help in the event of a fire.
• A management system to ensure that fire safety systems are maintained.

Some very small and simple premises may be able to satisfy all these steps without difficulty but you should still be able to demonstrate that an appropriate process has been carried out.