Uncategorised Archives

Fire presents a significant risk to businesses. Not only can it seriously injure or even potentially kill employees and visitors, it can also damage and destroy buildings and equipment or stock. With this in mind it is important to make fire safety the number one workplace New Year resolution for 2022!

New Year Resolution 1: Identify potential fire replated workplace hazards

Your New Year resolution should include conducting a risk assessment to identify potential hazards and then putting measures in place in order to minimise the risk. There are a number of common causes of fire in the workplace including:

Electrical issues, e.g., misuse or neglect of wiring
Accumulated waste which can catch fire easily
Smokers who discard cigarette butts or lit matches
Poorly managed kitchens, particularly if they are used regularly and have electrical appliances
Portable heaters placed too close to combustible furniture or fittings
Bad storage of combustible materials e.g., flammable liquids, glues, solvents etc
Arson or wilful fire-raising

New Year Resolution 2: Put in place good fire safety practices

To help prevent a fire starting in the workplace you should ensure you have in place good fire safety practices as well as identifying the potential hazards. These should include:

Keeping the workplace tidy
Regularly moving combustible waste
Ensuring that ignition sources are kept away from combustible material, flammable liquids, or gases
Keeping the use of flammable liquids to a minimum

New Year Resolution 3: Checking your emergency planning procedures

It is important that all businesses are prepared for an emergency, such as a fire. An emergency plan should clearly state what is to be done in the event of an incident/emergency. It should also state the responsibilities of key employees and what they need to do.

You should also have a written evacuation procedure to explain what needs to happen in the event of a fire alarm being raised. For example, the location of fire alarm call points, extinguishers, exits and details of nominated persons along with their areas of responsibility.

Training is important, and all employees need to be familiar with the emergency plan. Once these emergency procedures are put into place it is most important, they are tested regularly, including carrying out a fire drill at least twice a year to ensure that it works, and people can follow it.

New Year Resolution 4: Get your fire equipment serviced

You need to identify which type of extinguisher you will need and where they need to be located, along with clearly visible instructions.

Fire extinguishers should be situated close to fire hazards, and you need to make sure that people can access them without being exposed to a risk. Those individuals that are most likely to use fire extinguishers should receive training on how to use them.

All equipment needs to be checked and serviced regularly to ensure it is in full working order. The British Standard for fire extinguishers recommends that every extinguisher receives a basic service annually, carried out by a service engineer.

It is also important to provide a method for detecting a fire quickly and raising the alarm. The warning system should be clearly heard throughout the premises and even provide enough warning for people to evacuate the building safely. Fire alarms should be tested at least once a week.

New Year Resolution 5: Check your escape routes & evacuation procedures!

All escape routes must be easily identifiable with both clear signage and instructions about the means of escape displayed. You should also provide instructions and training for employees; this can be done when conducting a fire drill.

Ensure that there are enough exits throughout the building and that they are in the right locations ensuring that in the event of a fire there is at least one free route available. Escape routes must be illuminated and free of any obstacles. Regular checks should be conducted to ensure this is followed.

You will also need to make arrangements to ensure the safe evacuation of everyone in your premises. The fire risk assessment should identify groups of people at risk, taking particular care of vulnerable groups or individuals such as people with disabilities.

The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers for your home and leisure time. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.

The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader’s risk.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]

Fire presents a significant risk to businesses. Not only can it seriously injure or even potentially kill employees and visitors, it can also damage and destroy buildings and equipment or […]

With the festive season in full swing, it is easy to get distracted and forget about fire safety. Here are a few simple tips to follow to ensure you enjoy happy and safe celebrations.

Think carefully about where you place decorations

When placing your cards and decorations, be mindful of where you put them. Avoid placing them directly next to your heating, cooking appliances and lighting, as well as not blocking the routes in and out of your home.

Keep an eye on candles

For many, candles are a Christmas essential. However, as you would expect from any naked flame, they’re also a fire hazard. Top tip! Why not try battery-operated candles to avoid unexpected accidents.

Switch off the lights

Avoid leaving lights switched on when you’re not at home over the Christmas period, especially if you have older fairy lights that might not meet today’s standards. Unlike modern LED bulbs, older lights are very prone to overheating and potentially breaking. If you were to put them on a real Christmas tree, they could cause a fire!

Avoid distractions when cooking

With everyone wanting your attention to open presents and play games, cooking Christmas dinner for the whole family can be incredibly stressful. Ensure you give yourself enough time to prepare and cook Christmas dinner to ensure you avoid hot fats, boiling water and burnt food.

Have a drink… after you’ve finished cooking!

Try to avoid alcohol until after cooking the dinner. That’s the time to sit down, relax and enjoy your meal with a drink of choice – without any risks!

Buy a fire blanket

It’s important you have a fire blanket in the kitchen, almost an essential. Should a small pan fire start, turn the heat off and carefully place the fire blanket over the flames.

Check your smoke alarms

With lots of people and potential hazards in your home around Christmas, now is a good time to check your smoke alarms are in a proper working order. If they aren’t and changing the battery doesn’t work, make sure you replace it urgently or call out an electrician for assistance.

Make sure electricals are CE marked

When buying electricals, avoid the temptation to buy cheaper products and make sure they are CE marked. This means that the product has undergone stringent checks, so you know they are safe.

Have a contingency plan

It important to consider what you’d do in an emergency. Have a plan A and B for how you would get out of your house in the event of a fire, ensuring the whole family is aware of this also.

Make sure your home & all your belongings are protected

With the increased risk of fire, theft, and property damage over the winter months, it’s important to check that you have sufficient home insurance in place, and that you understand what cover is provided under your policy.

With the festive season in full swing, it is easy to get distracted and forget about fire safety. Here are a few simple tips to follow to ensure you enjoy […]

Nothing says cosy more than a candle burning on a cold, winter evening. However, they are unfortunately a major cause of house fires. Candles are something everyone enjoys especially at this time of year but wherever they are in the house it is important to use them safely.

Keep an eye on the candle

It is important to ensure the flame always remains within your line of vision and whenever you leave the room, even if it is just for a couple of minutes, it’s a good idea to extinguish the candle to be 100% safe and sure. If you have a habit of lighting candles and forgetting to extinguish them before bed, it might be a better idea to consider flameless candles so there is no fire hazard.

Keep candles away from any objects

Always keep lit candles away from furniture, curtains, beds, carpets, and anything else that could catch fire. Keep flames out of reach from children, this includes lower bookshelves or dressers.

Be sensible with how you burn your candles

Trimming the candle wick down to around ¼ inch or less when you decide to light the candle will take away some of the risk as long wicks can lead to wax dripping and very high, potentially dangerous flames. It is also important to ensure you’re placing your candle in the right candle holder for the candle you are using. Candle holders should be durable, fire-resistant, and large enough to catch any wax that drips off.

Nothing says cosy more than a candle burning on a cold, winter evening. However, they are unfortunately a major cause of house fires. Candles are something everyone enjoys especially at […]

Every year around 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries in UK homes are caused by faulty electrics and electrical equipment. Almost half of all domestic fires are caused by electricity. And if you live in a privately rented property, statistics show that you are at a higher risk of electric shock.

With regard to fire safety your landlord must:

Follow safety regulations
Provide a smoke alarm on each storey and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance (for example, a coal fire or a wood burning stove),
Check you have clear access to escape routes at all times
Make sure the furniture and furnishings they supply are fire safe
Provide fire alarms and extinguishers if the property is a large house of multiple occupation (HMO)

With regard to gas safety, your landlord must:

Make sure the gas equipment they supply is safely installed and maintained by a gas safe registered engineer
Have a registered engineer do an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue
Provide a copy of the gas safety check record before you move in, or within 28 days of the check

With regard to electrical safety, your landlord must:

Make sure the electrical system is safe, for example sockets and light fittings
All appliances they supply are safe, for example cookers and kettles, etc

You as the tenant also have responsibilities. You are obliged to report electrical problems as soon as they appear, as well as maintain any electrical items you bring into the house. If you have reported a problem to your landlord and they have refused to put the situation right or ignored your request, you should then contact your local authority who will be able to help you. Local authorities will ensure a landlord is meeting their legal obligations and can take enforcement action against them.

If you have bought any electrical products for use in your rented home, whether it is a large item (e.g., fridge or a television) or something smaller like a kettle or hairdryer, it is important to make sure that you register the appliance with the manufacturer. This means that if there is a problem and the item needs to be recalled they will be able to contact you.

Every year around 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries in UK homes are caused by faulty electrics and electrical equipment. Almost half of all domestic fires are caused by electricity. And […]

Another product video has now gone live on our YouTube channel!

The Firechief PyroCloud SSS12000 series aerosol generators can be used as a part of a highly effective fixed extinguishing system. A Firechief PyroCloud generator is non-pressurized and is installed inside a room or compartment that requires protection. After activation, an aerosol cloud is generated, which expands volumetrically, flooding the space and extinguishing the fire. Firechief PyroCloud generators are designed to be used in unoccupied areas and are effective on class A, B, C and F fires.

Firechief PyroCloud SSS12000 generators are recommended for the protection of small objects, such as electrical cabinets, panels and motor compartments and cupboards. When calculating the volume, the volumetric dimensions of any materials present can be deducted. The generators are available with either electric starter or thermal fuse activation.

Be sure to go and check out the PyroCloud 12000 series units in our NEW video now on our Firechief Global YouTube channel! Don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there to be notified of when new videos go live! View here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lScsezNtE3k

Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years, we know the fire protection and prevention business inside out. Our experienced team can offer advice and guidance about any of our fire safety products. For expert help and advice, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.ukor visit https://www.firedepot.co.uk/ to see our full range of fire safety products.

Another product video has now gone live on our YouTube channel! The Firechief PyroCloud SSS12000 series aerosol generators can be used as a part of a highly effective fixed extinguishing […]

Every year around 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries in UK homes are caused by faulty electrics and electrical equipment. Nearly 9/10 electrical fires are caused by products, either through misuse or faults.

Here are 10 top tips to keep you safe when shopping online:

Check the voltage of products is 230V, 50Hz (the UK’s usual domestic voltage) and that they are fitted with a three-pin UK plug or charger.
Look for the seller’s contact details ensuring there is a full address and not just a PO Box number. Not all websites with a. co.uk address are based in the UK.
Avoid buying second-hand products, especially if the guarantee or warranty has run out, you don’t know what condition it’s in.
Look for websites that allow you to pay safely – these have a padlock symbol at the bottom of the screen when you are filling in your payment details.
Do a price check and, if you have time, visit the high street too. If a bargain looks too good to be true, the chances are it probably is!
Use online review websites to find out what people are saying about products and sellers.
Read the product guarantees, sellers’ terms and conditions, returns policies and private statements.
Check that the site is a member of an online retail accrediting body such as Internet Shopping Is Safe (ISIS), which means they have signed up to certain service standards.
If you use your credit card to spend £100 or more on an item, you can hold both the trader and the credit card company liable if something goes wrong with the sale.
Keep records of anything you order.

Every year around 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries in UK homes are caused by faulty electrics and electrical equipment. Nearly 9/10 electrical fires are caused by products, either through misuse […]

All building owners and businesses must comply with The Fire Safety Order (FSO) to ensure the safety of the property and the people. The Fire Safety Order sets out several regulations and guidelines.

Hotel owners need to both identify, and reduce, the risks of fire associated with specific buildings. These are the areas that hotels need to include in an emergency plan to comply with the FSO.

Fire Safety Risk Assessment

It is important for every fire safety plan to start with a comprehensive risk assessment. The risk assessment should identify fire hazards and rate them in terms of high, moderate, and low risk. For example, a hotel kitchen would be considered a high-risk area, as would a chemical storeroom. Those that are at risk should also be identified, such as the occupants of family rooms, disabled members of staff etc. For each risk identified, a plan should then be put in place to try and eliminate and reduce those individuals from that risk.

Fire Detection & Warning System

If for some reason a fire cannot be prevented, there should be steps put in place to detect a fire as soon as possible sending a warning to those in the hotel that a fire has started. For a hotel, a detection and warning system should be a network of smoke detectors linked to clear alarms in all occupied areas of the building, including individual hotel rooms. Many hotels choose to link their alarm directly to the fire brigade so that immediate notification can be given.

Escape Routes & Fire Doors

Every floor of a building should have the appropriate number of fire doors with clearly marked escape routes from all points. Those areas of high risk should have correspondingly fast escape routes to enable quick evacuation. Fire exits should lead to a safe point outside of the building. Areas at risk of fire should also have heavy, fireproof doors which can be closed after evacuation to prevent the spread of fire. Signage is also important to indicate which doors are fire doors and provide directions to fire exits and meeting points.

Emergency Lighting

When a fire is detected, it is best practice to shut down all non-essential systems that could be damaged by fire or make one worse for example, in some cases fire may cause the electrics within the building to fail. It is the hotel owner’s responsibility to ensure that there is sufficient emergency lighting so that emergency routes and exits are adequately lit. This is especially important in those areas where there is little or no natural light e.g., hotel corridors.

Staff Training & Competent Persons

All staff should be trained in the fire safety procedures including how to raise an alarm, fight fires and evacuate the building. There should also be a ‘competent person/persons’ appointed as Fire Safety Officers that will hold specific responsibilities for example, evacuating guests, securing the building etc. Regular fire drills and training sessions should be carried out, so all staff members are clear on what to do in the event of a fire.

Signage

Fire action notices should be clearly displayed so that both staff and visitors can understand what action is required if a fire is discovered.

Emergency Fire Plan

This should be published as a hard copy and made available to all staff. The emergency fire plan will also need to be retained for examination by the Fire & Rescue Service if there is a fire safety inspection.

All building owners and businesses must comply with The Fire Safety Order (FSO) to ensure the safety of the property and the people. The Fire Safety Order sets out several […]

We are officially at the time of year where the weather is getting colder and as some people continue to work from home, the London Fire Brigade is urging awareness of the increased fire risk when using portable heaters.

Portable heaters are the most common solution to keeping warm, particularly if someone is spending a lot of time in one room and wants to avoid switching on the central heating or performing work needing hot work kits in workshops. Fires caused by portable heaters can have devastating consequences and sadly, they are not an unusual occurrence.

The fire brigade state they have attended more than 1,200 of these types of fires in the last five years. This concern is rising for firefighters as home workers are confined for most of the day to their spare room/office and therefore might be tempted to use heaters more. There have been 160 heating-related fires in London this year, with 26 people suffering injuries as a result.

According to IFSEC Global, ‘fires involving heaters have a high mortality rate and have sadly caused 14 fatal fires in London within the past five years, almost 200 people have suffered injuries from these types of fires since 2017’.

Firefighters’ tips for using portable heaters safely include:

Make sure they are well maintained and in good working order
Check that your heater isn’t on a recall list
Never install, repair or service appliances unless you are a competent professional yourself
Don’t take risks with old heaters – if it is sparking, wires are loose or if it is showing signs of damage, replace it with a new one or get it tested
Always sit at least one metre away from a heater as it could set light to your clothes or chair
Before moving the heater, turn it off and allow to cool first

You can check your home is fire safe using the London Fire Brigade’s new online Home Fire Safety Checker, click here.

We are officially at the time of year where the weather is getting colder and as some people continue to work from home, the London Fire Brigade is urging awareness […]

Watching fireworks is so much fun for children and adults. Figures show that the majority that get injured by fireworks are children at family or private parties. It is always advised to attend a well organised public display where it is safer, better for the environment and often less expensive to attend.

Be safe not sorry

Fireworks are safe if you use them properly. If you are putting on a home display, follow some simple steps to make sure that everyone has a good time without getting hurt.

Keep kids safe – we want children to enjoy fireworks, but they need to know the dangers of them if they weren’t to be used properly. Each year over half of all firework injuries are suffered by children. The Child Accident Prevention Trust has more guidance on keeping kids safe.

Sparkler safety – Did you know that sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil! They are not toys and should never be given to a child under the age of 5.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service also have the following advice:

Make sure that the fireworks conform to British Standards, meaning that they should have BS 7114 written on the box and also have a CE mark
Keep fireworks in a closed box
Follow the instructions on each firework
Light them at arm’s length, using a taper
Stand well back
Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode
Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them
Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
Don’t let fireworks off after 11pm
Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks

Watching fireworks is so much fun for children and adults. Figures show that the majority that get injured by fireworks are children at family or private parties. It is always […]

It’s that time of year again, Halloween! As fun as Halloween is for children it also poses a risk when it comes to fire safety. We have put together some safety tips to make sure you have a safe but spooky and fun, Halloween.

Children’s costumes are one of the greatest risks for injury at Halloween. Bad quality clothing can ignite in seconds, and it is important to look at the label when buying outfits for little ones. A CE mark will ensure the clothing meets safety standards and a quick check for safety instructions and warnings can make all the difference.

In case of an emergency, teach little ones the ‘Stop, Drop and Roll’ response if their clothing catches alight. This is a way to extinguish the flames and also stop them from rising towards the face. This method is: 1. Stop where you are, don’t run, 2. Drop to the floor and lie flat and finally 3. Cover your face with your hands and roll side to side until the flames are extinguished.

Costumes aren’t the only hazard. Candles are also one of the greatest causes of house fires, and all the more so at Halloween. The most effective way of avoiding this is by swapping traditional wax candles for flameless, battery-operated ones. However, if flameless candles are not available or you want to continue using wax candles, we would advise you to place them in heat-resistant holders on a steady table or shelf, ensure they are away from any other material that may catch fire, and keep them out of reach of pets and children. Most importantly, be sure to extinguish the candles before leaving the room.

There is also a higher risk of arson at Halloween. Fire brigades usually step-up warnings of potential arson as this is more likely during this period, a time when vandalism is also rife. Rubbish heaps abandoned cars and derelict buildings can all be used to start deliberate fires and every year the number of fires peak with Brigades sometimes seeing around 90 percent of their fire calls at Halloween coming as a result of such fires. One way of preventing them is by ensuring there is no fuel for arsonists to burn, by lessening fly-tipping and making sure the authorities are notified about derelict buildings and cars that could be used for deliberate fires.

We hope you have a safe and spooky Halloween!

It’s that time of year again, Halloween! As fun as Halloween is for children it also poses a risk when it comes to fire safety. We have put together some […]

Looking at the current law, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005* states:

“Maintenance

17.—(1) Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons the responsible person must ensure that the premises and any facilities, equipment and devices provided in respect of the premises under this Order or, subject to paragraph (6), under any other enactment, including any enactment repealed or revoked by this Order, are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.”

From this it follows that fire extinguishers and fire blankets require a servicing regime. The legislation also says in Article 18:

“The responsible person must, subject to paragraphs (6) and (7), appoint one or more competent persons to assist him in undertaking the preventive and protective measures.”

Therefore, whoever assists the responsible person with their duty to maintain the protective measures must be competent. You can’t just ask anyone to service your extinguishers as they need to be competent - but what does this actually mean?

Paragraphs 6 & 7 of the Fire Safety Order allow the responsible person to be a competent person if they have sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to properly assist in undertaking the preventive and protective measures. But how many people are trained and equipped to service their extinguishers?

How do you establish the competency of those you choose to service your extinguishers?

One option is to use a company who are Third Party Certified via the BAFE SP101 Scheme for the Maintenance of Portable Extinguishers. Make sure that any prospective provider claiming BAFE certification is actually certified on the extinguisher scheme as several are only certified on the fire alarm scheme, while others aren’t certified at all, but have a member of staff who took the BAFE extinguisher technician exam.

For more than 30 years, the competency of extinguisher service technicians has been tested via a 4-day training course delivered by one of the fire trade bodies approved providers. This culminates in the FETA (now BAFE) “Theory and practice of servicing portable fire extinguishers in accordance with the requirements of BS 5306 Parts 3 and 8” Examination. This is an assessment process that is both theoretical and practical.

This qualification has to be renewed every 3 years via a 1-day refresher, followed by an assessment, in order to continue to be able to claim compliance with BS 5306 in servicing and as an ongoing demonstration of compliance.

The competent technician will have a large assortment of service tools and consumables for all current extinguishers and should carry out a large number of different checks each year including:

Full visual examination for damage/corrosion	Fully removing the safety pin to check for free movement, breaking the tamper seal (or the actual pin for some brands) and replacing the pin & seal or whole OK pin
Checking weight against commissioning weight	Removing the hose or horn and blowing air down to check for obstruction – refitting with new O-rings/washers
Removing the seal on the pressure gauge and using a special tool to check for free movement and placing a new seal on it	Cartridge extinguishers should be opened up & fully stripped down to examine the valve, dip tube, interior and weigh the CO2 cartridge

At certain intervals (10 yearly for CO2, 5 yearly for other types of extinguisher) further actions are required where additional training and equipment is needed, as refilling, strip down and for CO2, pressure testing, is indicated.

Failing to carry out the full-service actions, or not using the correct components for the model of extinguisher can impede the operation or reduce the effectiveness of the extinguisher and in some cases leave it in dangerous condition.

Servicing an extinguisher starts from the moment it is first installed with the Commissioning Service. Users may be tempted by the prices of online and catalogue companies supplying extinguishers, but need to ask are they competent to commission that extinguisher? Can they record the initial weight for ongoing service, reseal the pin after checking it, test the gauge to make sure it reads true, recognise in transit damage or pressure loss, correctly and tightly fit hoses and horns? It’s a common sight for extinguishers bought this way to have damage affecting function, lost pressure, and loose or missing hoses and horns.

Some extinguishers are designed and marketed to be fully user maintained and indeed the legislation is written in such a way that this isn’t precluded. However, users need to ask themselves how they can prove they are competent to do this? (as the legislation requires this even where responsible persons take on fire safety related roles directly). Do they really know what they are doing (and equally as importantly why they are doing it); what to do if something is wrong; and most important of all, will they remember to do the annual checks?

In summary the modern extinguisher is a powerful piece of equipment, but like any piece of equipment, it needs maintenance to remain effective – and not just any maintenance but maintenance carried out by a competent person.

*The fire safety legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland is similarly framed.

Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years, we know the fire protection and prevention business inside out. Our experienced team can offer advice and guidance about any of our fire safety products. For expert help and advice, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.uk or visit https://www.firedepot.co.uk/ to see our full range of fire safety products.

[related_products is_auto_added="1"]

Looking at the current law, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005* states: “Maintenance 17.—(1) Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons the responsible person must […]

The far-reaching impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to be felt across the world, and of course the fire industry and the businesses they serve have not been spared from these effects either. Many organisations have had to adapt their working practices but despite Covid restrictions having largely been lifted, the economic impacts of the pandemic along with the repercussions of Brexit continue, creating unprecedented challenges – and opportunities - for businesses.

In common with many manufacturers, those in the fire industry have been hugely impacted by the global shortages of raw materials, supply chain challenges due to factory shutdowns or slowdowns, transportation delays due to limited availability of sea vessels and containers, HGV driver shortages, and tighter restrictions in ports and borders.

And on the human resource side of things, there are now fewer engineering apprentices coming through due to a lack of availability of placements during the pandemic period. This is likely to have a longer-term impact within the industry over the next few years.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom! There have undoubtedly also been some positive changes and opportunities. The use of cloud technology has become more prominent in managing fire compliance, with some companies now providing smart servicing via remote access to review any issues before they attend site. There is generally a higher demand and acceptance for doing things digitally and this includes an increased use of virtual/online training. According to the FIA, over 450 fire professionals have attended online training since April 1^st2021 and more than 100 online exams have been completed since June 1^st2021.

Environmental sustainability also got a boost during the pandemic with CO2 emissions going down by 5.8% in 2020, the largest reduction in history. In addition, a likely consequence of the higher levels of hybrid and/or home working is some downsizing or repurposing of buildings, which in turn will mean that the fire safety requirements for that premises will need to change. Businesses may need to reassess and even improve their fire safety and fire risk assessments and update evacuation procedures, including appointing new fire wardens/marshals where those previously responsible are no longer on the premises.

Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years, we know the fire protection and prevention business inside out. Our experienced team can offer advice and guidance about any of our fire safety products. For expert help and advice, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.uk or visit https://www.firedepot.co.uk/ to see our full range of fire safety products.

[related_products is_auto_added="1"]

The far-reaching impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to be felt across the world, and of course the fire industry and the businesses they serve have not been spared from […]