Most Common Issues Found in a Fire Risk Assessment

Often, when we enter a building to assess a business’s fire risk measures, we see the same few issues. Thankfully, these can be easily fixed and will drastically help to improve your general fire safety.

Insufficient emergency lighting

Insufficient emergency lighting is an extremely common issue we see, yet it seems to be such an obvious one that many people miss. If a fire destroys the electricity cables, it is a legal requirement to have lighting that is powered by an alternative source. 

Poor signage and instructions

This is another common issue that we find during fire risk assessments. Your signage should be bright, clear and visible to everyone in the building. 

This also means clearly displaying General Emergency Evacuation Plans and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, also known as GEEPs and PEEPs.

Fire door problems

Fire doors are also another common issue we find during fire risk assessments, but they often come with a variety of different issues. 

From damaged hinges to incorrect spacing between the door and the wall, to leaving fire doors propped up, we see several different reasons for fire doors not meeting fire risk standards. We can easily come and inspect your fire doors to get them up to standard.

Poorly maintained emergency exit routes  

In the event of a fire, it is essential for all escape routes to be clear and safe to use. In many buildings, we see the emergency exit routes blocked by rubbish, cars, bins and even fallen trees and branches. 

It is essential that your emergency exit routes are clearly marked and tidy, so in the event of a fire occurring, everyone can safely and efficiently exit the building. 

Outdated fire safety equipment

If your business has outdated fire safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, there is no guarantee that you will be able to effectively put out a fire. 

Old smoke detectors, fire alarms and fire extinguishers may not activate properly or might malfunction due to worn-out components, potentially delaying the response time when a fire occurs. 

How to spot common fire hazards in a commercial building

To spot common fire hazards in your commercial building, there are a variety of different issues that you should be aware of. 

Some of the key areas to focus on include:

• Electrical faults:
  
  
  • Damaged and frayed electrical cords 
  • Overloaded power outlets 
  • Flickering lightbulbs 
  • Loose connections
• Storage practices:
  
  
  • Combustible materials stacked too close together or near a heat source 
  • Improper storage or labelling of flammable liquids 
  • Excess clutter and build-up of waste

• Exit and evacuation routes:
  
  
  • Blocked or obstructed fire exits
  • Missing or damaged exit signage 
  • Locked doors 
• Employee habits:
  
  
  • Smoking or vaping in unauthorised areas
  • Improper use of electrical equipment 
  • Lack of fire safety training or knowledge 
    
    

Preventing common fire hazards

One of the best ways to prevent common fire hazards is by conducting fire risk assessments every 12 months. 

Thankfully, you don’t have to do this by yourself. Our team at Lanahan Risk Management Services have years of experience conducting fire risk assessments, helping businesses across all sectors to identify any fire safety issues and give peace of mind knowing your property and everyone in it is safe. 

You should also arrange to regularly inspect the equipment yourself, including all electricals and hazardous or flammable materials. This also includes regularly maintaining emergency exits, keeping exit routes clear and ensuring all smoke detectors and fire alarms are in good working order.