Retail fire safety is an important factor to consider as a owner to ensure you comply with health and safety legislation and keep both your customers and employees safe. Churches Fire & Security works with companies of all shapes, sizes and industries all over the UK to protect staff, visitors and assets from the risk of fire. We partner with retailers to ensure that fire safety is addressed to the highest standards, implementing a proactive approach to compliance to ensure that risks are minimised.
Fire risk assessments in retail
Fire risk assessments are key documents to help you reduce the potential for fire, which should be undertaken by trained professionals. The assessment will include guidance as to training, plans, equipment and maintenance, to ensure that your business is fully-compliant.
Sufficient care and diligence towards proactive fire safety can lead to great savings should your business suffer the devastation of fire. With over two decades of experience in the fire safety sector, we have compiled 10 fire safety guidelines for retailers to observe.
What are the common fire hazards in retail?
There are a wide range of fire hazards to consider including, but not limited to; exposed wires, open flames, improper chemical storage, combustible materials being kept close to heat sources and electrical equipment.
Retail fire safety guidelines
1. Ensure stock rooms are free from combustible items
Such as loose packaging or empty boxes. Stock should be kept at a suitable distance from lights and heat sources.
2. Maintain clear escape routes to ensure optimal evacuation.
Never allow emergency exits or escape routes to be blocked by stock. Temporary blockages when deliveries are taking place should be cleared as soon as possible.
3. Regular checks
Checking your electrical intake cupboards should ensure that the area is clear from any obstruction and that the door is kept locked.
4. Fire exit doors should be checked daily
Ensure that fire exit doors are easy to open and close. Clear ‘fire exit – keep clear’ signs should be displayed on the outer face of the door.
5. A minimum space of 45cm (18 inches)
This should be observed below each automatic detection system or sprinkler head in order for systems to operate effectively. Regular checks should monitor that a sufficient gap has been maintained.
6. Regular testing and maintenance
Fire safety equipment should be prioritised and recorded in a log book. Faulty equipment should be fixed or replaced as soon as possible.
7. Ensure all staff are familiar with fire safety procedures
Whether full-time, part-time or temporary, staff should be made aware of the fire evacuation procedure. At least one fire drill per year should be practiced for all staff.
8. Kitchen appliances shouldn’t be left unattended
When in use, appliances (such as toasters) need to be supervised and should regularly be cleaned of crumbs. They should be kept a suitable distance from paperwork and flammable materials.
9. Regularly monitor the flow of people through your shop
If you find that people are having to queue to use the stairs or access the shop floor at busy times then you cannot guarantee safe evacuation in the event of a fire. Customer safety is your responsibility, so think about implementing a safety management plan for busy days.
10. Fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers should be easy to locate, maintained, and securely attached to the wall or mounted on a stand. Checks should be carried out to make sure that extinguishers have not come away from the wall or been vandalised.
Electrical Testing in the Retail Environment
The frequency of testing in the retail environment should be based on the risk of each item. Low-risk items include those being used solely by trained members of staff. High-risk items include those being used by the general public, such as pay terminals. It is therefore paramount that equipment that is front-facing and used by the public is checked more regularly than your general office items.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, states that electrical equipment in low-risk environments is required to be maintained at a frequency dependent upon the type of appliance it is, and the nature of the environment in which it is typically used. A regular inspection and maintenance schedule should be routine to reduce safety risks with any electrical equipment.
Electrical Testing Frequency Guidance for Retail
Class 1 (earthed) equipment such as kettles, lamps and phone chargers should be PAT tested once per year.
Class 2 equipment should be tested once every 48 months.
Electrical equipment used by members of the public should be tested more frequently, for example at least once every 12 months.
PAT testing is necessary to comply with health and safety regulations. Staff should be trained in fire safety and should be vigilant, carrying out regular visual checks.
Churches Fire & Security are able to provide regular PAT testing of electrical equipment under a servicing and maintenance schedule. As a third-party accredited fire safety company, we are proactive in our approach to fire safety, and are able to spot potential problems or faults before they become a hazard.
How Churches Fire & Security will help
We work with retailers to provide advice and training on the key steps to act upon should a fire break out such as operating the fire alarm, contacting the emergency services, and, if possible, using fire extinguishers to suppress, contain or extinguish the fire. Should a fire break out, we make sure that you are prepared and protected with the highest standards of safety equipment. In the event of a fire, a quick response from trained individuals can have a huge impact on how quickly people are able to evacuate the building, how efficiently the fire can be contained or extinguished, and the extent of the damage caused by the fire.
Get in touch to discuss how we could partner with your business to ensure full compliance, maintaining safety for your staff, customers and assets.
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