General Fire Safety & Accessories Buying Guide

Introduction to Fire Safety Obligations

Fire safety is a critical concern for businesses and organisations in the UK. Ensuring the safety of employees, customers, and property is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This guide provides an overview of the essential fire safety products available, along with the relevant regulations to help you comply with legal obligations.

Fire Risk Assessment Obligations

Every business must conduct a fire risk assessment to identify potential fire hazards and determine appropriate measures to mitigate them. This assessment should be carried out by a competent person and reviewed regularly, especially when there are significant changes to the building or its use.

Key steps in a fire risk assessment include:

1. Identifying fire hazards.
2. Identifying people at risk.
3. Evaluating, removing, or reducing the risks.
4. Recording findings and preparing an emergency plan.
5. Reviewing and updating the assessment regularly.

We provide a range of Fire Risk Assessment Books, which give the official government guidance for a range of settings as set out in Fire Safety regulations.

General Fire Safety Obligations

Beyond risk assessments, businesses must ensure:

Appropriate fire detection and warning systems are in place.
Sufficient fire-fighting equipment is available and well-maintained.
Safe routes and exits are provided, well-marked and kept clear.
Staff are trained in fire safety and emergency procedures.
Regular fire drills are conducted and logged.

There are also additional fire safety obligations for high-rise residential buildings in the wake of the Grenfell tower tragedy, with further strengthening of fire regulations anticipated in the future.

Non-compliance with fire safety regulations in the UK can result in severe penalties, both criminal and civil. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 outlines the responsibilities and consequences for failing to adhere to fire safety laws. These include:

Minor breaches can result in fines up to £5,000 per offence.
For more serious breaches, fines can be unlimited, especially if the breach puts lives at risk.
Responsible persons (such as business owners or managers) can face imprisonment for up to 2 years for serious breaches of fire safety regulations.
Businesses can be sued for compensation by individuals who suffer injuries or losses due to non-compliance with fire safety regulations.
Enforcement actions can lead to the closure of business premises until compliance is achieved, resulting in significant financial losses.
Non-compliance and subsequent penalties can damage the reputation of a business, leading to a loss of customers and revenue.
Non-compliance may result in invalidated insurance policies, leaving businesses unprotected in case of a fire.
The Fire and Rescue Authority is responsible for enforcing fire safety regulations and can carry out inspections, issue notices, and take legal action against non-compliant businesses.

VSafety offers over 5,000 fire safety products assist in meeting these essential obligations.

Fire Extinguishers & Accessories

A legal requirement following a fire risk assessment. Businesses need fire extinguishers to ensure the safety of their employees, customers, and property by providing a first line of defense against fire outbreaks. Fire extinguishers can quickly control or extinguish small fires, preventing them from escalating into larger, more destructive incidents.

The different types of fire extinguishers cater to various fire classes:

Water Extinguishers

Effective for Class A fires involving solid combustibles like wood and paper

Foam Extinguishers

Handle Class A and B fires, including flammable liquids

CO2 Extinguishers

Are ideal for electrical fires and Class B fires

Powder Extinguishers

Offer versatility, suitable for Class A, B, C, and electrical fires

Wet Chemical Extinguishers

Are specifically designed for Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats

Proper selection and placement of these extinguishers are crucial for effective fire safety management. View our fire extinguisher buying guide for information on how to select your fire extinguishers.

We offer extinguishers from 600ml to 9L in size, from prices as low as £7.50!

What’s more, we offer a FREE fire extinguisher sign with all extinguishers to assist customers in fully meeting their fire safety obligations.

We also have a full range of stands and cabinets to ensure proper, compliant storage and accessibility.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detection

Smoke, heat and CO detectors are a vital component in ensuring your home and business environment is safe and compliant.

It’s estimated that twice as many people die from fire-related smoke and gas inhalation than burns, meaning it’s essential to equip your business or home with fire-safety technology.

Smoke and CO detectors act as the first defence against smoke, gas and fire. This is achieved by providing a crucial early warning of the presence of these elements, giving people in the building the opportunity they need to escape in time. Smoke and potentially deadly gases typically spread much faster than flame heat, making smoke and gas detection devices absolutely necessary.

UK government guidelines don’t specify the exact type of fire alarm required for a particular premises. However, current UK fire detector regulations state all business premises must have an appropriate fire detection process in place.

There is also the requirement for UK landlords to place smoke alarms on every floor of a residential property. So, if a fire were to occur, there must be a system to not only detect the presence of fire – but also give plenty of warning to people both in and around the building.

Installing reliable smoke and heat detectors is therefore a simple yet effective method of maximising safety, giving greater peace of mind to home owners, business owners and employees, and ensuring legal compliance. The same goes for gas detectors, specifically CO alarms. UK regulations require that, in the private and social sector, landlords ensure that CO detectors are present in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance (other than a gas cooker). This includes, for example, a boiler.

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Dorgard Fire Door Closers

Dorgard is a versatile, battery-operated device designed to safely and legally hold open fire doors, rather than wedging them open.

This device offers a practical solution for maintaining fire safety while allowing easy passage through doors in various settings, such as offices, schools, healthcare facilities, hospitality settings and more. When a fire alarm sounds for at least 14 seconds, Dorgard automatically releases the fire door, ensuring it closes to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

It is dangerous to wedge or prop open a fire door as the safety of occupants cannot be guaranteed if there is a fire. Fire doors need to be closed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Legally, if you wedge open a fire door and it is judged that this puts someone’s life at risk, you could suffer penalties, including a fine or even a prison sentence, as well as invalidated insurance.

Dorgard provides an effective and affordable solution to this. In addition to matching any price, we also provide a FREE fire door sign with all Dorgard units.

Fire Exit & Emergency Signage

According to UK Building Regulation standards, Fire exit signs should be installed at every exit point, including doors, escape windows, and alternative escape routes.

These signs need to adhere to BS 5499 standards to comply with the Building Regulations and meet requirements laid out in the Health and Safety 1996 – Safety Signs & Signals Regulations.

When it comes to safety signs in particular, all safety signs must comply with regulations and standards listed under BS EN ISO 7010.

ISO 7010 regulations covers the graphical symbols used on safety signs, to ensure consistent symbol usage in the majority of Europe so regardless of language, the intent of a safety sign is understood.

Failing to adhere to the regulations for Fire Exit Signs can jeopardize the safety of your employees and property, and can result in unlimited fines or even imprisonment depending on the severity of the legislative breach.

Fire exit signs are required in all non-domestic properties and multi-occupancy residential buildings, with the only exception being private domestic properties.

When installing Fire Exit signs around your building or site, you must take into account the viewing distances when selecting the size of your sign, and carefully consider the material choice and whether it's suitable for your sites needs.

Fire exit signs play a crucial role in providing clear guidance for safe building evacuation and imparting essential fire safety instructions. For instance, a fire exit sign typically features a green running man symbol and may include a directive to keep the area clear to minimize obstructions during emergencies.

Fire Exit Signs must always be legible in all lighting conditions, so that in the event of a fire the sign is visible through smoke or in darkness should mains electricity get disrupted.

If your premises requires emergency lighting, then Fire Exit signs must also be illuminated in some way.

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Fire Blankets

Premises need to have fire blankets in locations where there is a risk of small fires are likely to occur, particularly in kitchens, laboratories, and areas with potential fire hazards.

Fire blankets are essential for swiftly smothering small fires, such as those involving cooking oils or clothing, cutting off the oxygen supply and extinguishing the flames. They are also beneficial for wrapping around a person whose clothing has caught fire, providing immediate and effective protection.

The benefits of fire blankets include their ease of use, immediate accessibility, and the ability to control fires without causing damage from water or chemicals, making them a vital addition to fire safety equipment such as extinguishers in high-risk areas.

Fire Equipment Signs

Fire Equipment Signs are essential visual cues that swiftly guide individuals to the location and proper usage of firefighting tools. In emergencies, these signs enhance response times, ensuring quick access to extinguishers, alarms, and emergency exits.

Their clear instructions aid in preventing panic, minimising fire-related risks, and safeguarding lives. By effectively communicating the presence and function of fire equipment, these signs contribute significantly to overall safety protocols and emergency preparedness.

Fire Alarm Call Points

Fire alarm call points, also known as manual call points, are necessary in all types of premises to enable occupants to quickly and easily raise the alarm in the event of a fire. These devices should be strategically located throughout a building, particularly near exits, stairwells, and high-traffic areas, to ensure they are accessible in an emergency.

The benefits of fire alarm call points include their ability to provide an immediate alert to everyone in the building, prompting a quick and orderly evacuation. They also ensure that the fire alarm system is activated, triggering other safety measures such as automatic door closers and notifying emergency services. This immediate response capability is crucial for minimizing risks to life and property during a fire emergency.

Fire Log Books

Fire log books are essential for maintaining comprehensive records of all fire safety-related activities within a premises. Businesses need to keep fire log books to document the maintenance and testing of fire safety equipment, training sessions, fire drills, and any incidents or false alarms. These records ensure that all fire safety measures are regularly monitored and up to date, providing a clear audit trail for fire safety compliance.

The benefits of fire log books include facilitating the organization and scheduling of routine checks and maintenance, ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations, and providing evidence of due diligence in the event of an inspection or investigation. By maintaining accurate and detailed records, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to fire safety and enhance their overall preparedness for emergencies.

We also offer a range of products for fire document storage and protection.

Fire Safety Accessories

We also sell a wide range of accessories to ensure key fire safety equipment and provision can be properly stored, transported, and kept accessible.

Our Fire Safety Points & Stations, and our Fire Extinguisher Shadow Boards provide an excellent focal point for fire safety information and provision, and are an excellent way of meeting obligations in a convenient ana accessible solution that minimises footprint.

Why Buy From VSafety?

Meeting your fire safety obligations are an essential consideration for any organisation with premises, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to deal with us. Join the thousands of customers who have benefitted from our exceptional customer service, low prices, comprehensive range, and quality product guidance.

Speak to us! You can call our friendly team FREE on 0800 030 8010, chat to us online or email us at sales@vsafety.co.uk