Fires present one of the most significant and avoidable threats to any type of building. In the absence of proper precautions, fire can pose substantial risks to not only the property owner but also to the individuals inside and around the building.
Here at LOWE, we take fire safety incredibly seriously and believe that fire prevention and control should be diligently taught across the board, to ensure that everyone is equipped with the knowledge and tools to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.
In order to effectively prevent fires, it is essential to have a good understanding of the most prevalent causes, which include:
- Electric faults
- Faulty or misused heaters
- Arson
- Careless use of flammable liquids and gases
- Burning of rubbish
- Hot surfaces
- BBQ’s
- Carelessness – with cigarettes, matches, candles, hot equipment etc.
- Hot surfaces
Awareness of these common factors encourages individuals to take proactive measures and safeguards against the risk of fires, ultimately promoting a safer environment.
DO NOT:
- Smoke in ‘NO SMOKING’ areas.
- Allow rubbish, rags, or any other combustible materials to accumulate
- Store combustibles or hang clothes on or near heaters
- Obstruct fire exits and/or fire extinguishers
What you should know:
- What to do in the event of a fire (read the Fire Procedure displayed across our buildings)
- How to escape, which route/s to take
- Who your ‘Responsible Person’, Fire Marshall, Fire Officer or Fire Appointed Person is
- How to use a fire blanket, if required
What you to do in the event of a fire:
- Raise the alarm
- Safely exit the building, leaving all of your belongings following the instructions on the Fire Safety Boards, heading to your fire safety point
- If the fire representative for the site is not present, telephone the emergency services by dialling 999
- Ask for the Fire Brigade and give them the site telephone number.
Please watch the video below to understand the speed at which a small fire can spread:
FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Things to do to prevent a fire from starting:
- Don’t hang clothing over or near heating equipment
- Don’t let paper, oily rags or other rubbish accumulate
- Don’t smoke in prohibited areas
- Use proper sealed containers or flammable liquids, not open tins and buckets
- Don’t overload electric sockets – ‘one socket – one plug’.
Fire precautions:
- Make sure you know what to do in case of a fire
- Make certain of your escape route
- Keep fire doors clear and unobstructed
- Don’t obstruct any fire blankets
We have stringent policies in place to enhance fire safety, including the strict prohibition of candles, and any form of BBQing within a 10-meter radius of the building, as well as a strict no-smoking rule across all buildings.
Furthermore, we ensure that every kitchen is equipped with fire blankets, and prominently display fire safety boards throughout all of our locations. To ensure that the buildings are following fire regulations consistently, our in-house inspection team visit every month, whilst also carrying out routine fire alarm tests. If you wish to find out more about our in-house monthly inspections, please read here. These measures are essential for maintaining a secure and fire-resistant environment in our properties.
If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.