When a fire breaks out at a property it can quickly spread, causing massive destruction to the structure of the property itself, damaging furniture, fittings and belongings, and potentially put the inhabitants at risk of suffering injury or even a fatality in the worst-case scenario. This is why it is so important to understand the different potential sources of a fire in a building and to implement a stringent fire safety process and use of safety equipment such as effective fire door installation, to keep every person and every item safe in the building should a fire break out. Where should you start with understanding the possible sources of fire in a building though?
The first thing to do is to understand the importance of a regular fire safety evaluation of a property you are the owner or manage of (you could be the manager of a commercial or residential building or be a homeowner of a domestic property). Conducting a regular fire risk assessment should be a priority within any building, and should be completed at least once a year, if not more depending on the type of building and its primary use.
A fire safety review should include a review of all potential sources of ignition. Making an exhaustive list of these is a great starting point for everything that you can do afterwards to limit, reduce and remove those sources of ignition wherever possible. Understanding sources of ignition could be the key factor in preventing a fire that destroys a home or causes injury or fatalities.
During the fire risk assessment, look at current fire escape routes and all fire safety equipment that is in place, including the installation of fire doors. Have the fire doors and other fire safety equipment been installed correctly? Does the equipment in place require maintenance work, repairs or even replacement in order to be up to fire safety standards and regulations?
Think about ways in which you can remove unnecessary sources of heat, clean all ducts and flues and generally make sure there are not piles of flammable materials just lying about the property or blocking potential escape routes. Take a look at all electrical risks, ensuring that fuses and circuit breakers are in working order and not in danger of being overloaded.
Putting together a stringent and effective fire safety policy is an important part of owning or managing a building. It is your legal obligation to keep a building and its inhabitants safe from harm and by undertaking an extensive fire safety review you can ensure that you are fully aware of all potential sources of fire in the building. From this foundation of sound knowledge you can devise and implement a sound plan of action that includes clear fire safety escape routes, fire safety equipment and the installation of effective fire doors that meet all regulations. With the assistance of fire door suppliers, you can ensure that your property is as safe as it can possibly be in safeguarding against sources of fire.