What really counts in fire protection!
Fire protection is an enormously important topic for entrepreneurs, and not only because of the obligation to comply with clear legal requirements. Above all, personal injuries that can occur in a fire must be prevented at all costs.
Immense property damage and interruptions in the production process can also mean great losses for entrepreneurs after a fire, even threatening their existence. To avoid these serious consequences of a fire, it is important for business owners to pay attention to two important areas of fire safety: planning and defensive measures. Preventive work and careful planning in the construction or equipping of production facilities minimize a large proportion of the risk. The contractor should keep in mind the respective state building codes and special building codes. The essential aspects:
- The sufficient and according to the regulations planning and installation of escape routes and emergency exits
- The appropriate marking of the above escape routes and emergency exits
- The division of operating areas into suitable sections (areas with a high fire risk, such as laboratories, paint shops, etc., require special rooms).
- Offices with large electronic devices (copy stations, computer servers, etc.) also require structural measures.
- The design and installation of doors, escape routes must be free of obstacles.
To avoid serious consequences of a fire, it is important for business owners to consider important areas of fire safety.
Technical measures
The technical measures to prevent a fire in the company will be gladly explained to you on request by the responsible employers’ liability insurance association. Required here are, for example, certain fire extinguishers (depending on the fire class of the substances to be extinguished) and the prescribed number of them. Useful additions can be fire alarm systems, fire doors or entire extinguishing systems. Incidentally, these also play a role in assessing your company’s residual risk in terms of insurance coverage with fire and property insurers.
Once you have considered the technical and structural aspects of fire protection for your company, the implementation of the best possible precautions also depends on organizational fire protection. This includes not only regular inspection and ensuring the effectiveness of the above-mentioned construction measures (maintenance of fire extinguishers, keeping emergency exits clear, etc.). Your employees also need clear, understandable instructions and assistance in the event of a fire.
The posting of alarm, escape and rescue plans, taking into account the conditions for people with disabilities, is just as important here as the training of employees on fire prevention, fire fighting and rescue, including evacuation drills to be carried out. Such training should also and especially warn against causes of fires that are due to human error or careless handling of everyday items such as cigarettes, candles, coffee machines or kettles that are not switched off or unattended radiant heaters, as well as overloaded power grids.