Local businesses urged to attend fire safety session
Shropshire company bosses and managers are being urged to attend free business fire safety education seminars being held across the county over the next few weeks.
Members of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service’s business fire safety team will give vital information about the legal obligations for every company for fire safety at business premises.
They work with companies to help prevent fires and are responsible for inspecting business premises to ensure that firms comply with their responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
A series of seminars are being held at fire stations at Craven Arms, Shrewsbury, Telford and Whitchurch. Each involves a 40 minute presentation followed by a question and answer session, where individual concerns can be addressed.
The events are being run as follows:
Craven Arms Fire Station in Ludlow Road on September 20 - 10am and 2pm
Shrewsbury Fire Station in St Michaels Street on September 24
Telford Central Fire Station in Stafford Park on September 27 - 2pm
Whitchurch Fire Station in Brownlow Street on October 3- 10am
Andy Blizard, a business fire safety inspecting officer, said that company bosses and managers would receive guidance to help them understand what they needed to do in order to conform to current legislation, prior to a visit from a fire officer.
“We are due to visit a number of business premises and before we do we want to ensure that companies understand their legal obligations for fire safety in their premises. This is all about safeguarding business premises, he said.
“We would urge company representatives to come along to the sessions.”
“This is all about protecting your staff in the event of a fire and ensuring you are able to continue running your business. Many firms never recover after a serious blaze,” added Mr Blizard.
Anyone wishing to attend should contact the business fire safety team on 01743 260200 to book a place at one of the sessions. More information is also available on the business fire safety section at www.shropshirefire.gov.uk
Fire safety at work and the law
The law requires that the “responsible person” in the company must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and act on its findings. The fire and rescue service carries out audits at business premises to ensure fire regulations are complied with.
Appropriate fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, evacuation plans mixed with regular fire drills and employee training were essential in all business premises.
