What Businesses Need to Know About Fire Sprinklers
When it comes to fire safety in the workplace, there are different rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety of you and your employees. Installing fire sprinklers for your business is one of the most efficient ways to extinguish a fire before it spreads and endangers life, decreasing fire damage and flooding with a smaller water supply. From water mist systems to traditional automatic fire protection systems, businesses can enjoy a range of benefits from installing a state-of-the-art fire sprinkler system that not only saves their staff but their building too.
Contemporary automatic sprinkler systems installed within an office environment have sprinkler heads that fit discreetly into the ceiling, keeping your interiors intact and removing any hindrance to the overall design of your building. Reliable Commercial and residential fire sprinkler systems can be designed and installed to fit your property perfectly, ensuring optimal protection and fire safety throughout your building. Before you opt for a fire sprinkler system in your property, there are various factors that you need to take into consideration…
What is the Law?
Currently, in the UK, there is no legal requirement for businesses to install fire sprinklers into their properties. However, if your business spans 20,000 square metres or more, you must have sprinklers installed as a requirement. If your business is open to the public or has five or more employees, business owners are legally required to carry out a fire risk assessment. Following the risk assessment, they may be advised to install fire sprinklers to ensure full fire safety within the building. Therefore, the law surrounding fire sprinklers for businesses differs depending on the size of your building and the results of your fire risk assessment, so you need to make sure you’re following the guidelines thoroughly.
According to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), the UK is trailing behind other European countries when it comes to fire safety regulations. In France, commercial premises over 3000 square metres are required to have automatic fire sprinkler systems installed, compared to 20,000 in the UK. Although they aren’t a legal requirement in some cases, they’re still a desirable option for all commercial spaces and offices, keeping employees, visitors and surrounding buildings as safe as possible.
Benefits of Fire Sprinkler Systems
There are many different benefits to having an automatic fire sprinkler system installed in your property. In our previous article, we discussed how having fire sprinklers installed in your home can save the lives of everyone in your property, as well as reducing potential fire and water damage. The same benefits apply to commercial properties; automatic fire sprinklers work to target the blaze quickly by detecting heat, keeping the fire isolated and using as much water as is needed to extinguish it quickly. This not only keeps you and your staff safe, but keeps fire damage to a minimum, saving you money on damages.
In most commercial buildings and offices, there is usually expensive equipment and technology stored throughout the building, with important data that needs to be protected. Fire sprinklers or misting systems can save you thousands of pounds in potential losses, keeping the blaze separate from the parts of your office where the equipment may be. Although some businesses believe that having a fire alarm, fire escape and extinguishers handy is enough, you need a system that reacts quickly and effectively. Our sprinklers and misting systems here at RAD Fire Sprinklers can be designed and installed to fit your building precisely, whether you need a fire suppression system for your offices or even your home. To find out more, you can visit us on our website.
Following Fire Safety Regulations
Fire safety in the workplace is an important factor to consider and should not be taken lightly. Fires can be caused in numerous ways, but how you deal with them can make all the difference and can save you from the devastating effects. As previously mentioned, fire risk assessments should be carried out, and if any issues are detected, they should be reported and dealt with immediately. Putting plans in place for emergencies and providing fire safety training is advised by the Government; for bigger businesses, try to arrange regular fire drills so that staff are aware of their exits and where they should head in the event of a fire.
To ensure as much protection and safety as possible, installing fire sprinkler systems into your property can be one of the most important investments your business will ever make. With regular checks and maintenance, your sprinklers or mist system can last for years to come, providing you with the peace of mind of knowing you and your staff are constantly protected. If you would like to enquire further, or you would like to receive a quote, please fill out our online form here. Alternatively, you can give us a call on 01892 680 090.
