A single fire can destroy your business overnight. If you run any kind of shop, fire safety should be one of your top priorities.
In this post we will outline some fire safety essentials for retail businesses of all kinds.
Common Causes of Fire in Shops
According to London Fire Brigade, the key causes of fire for shops are as follows:
- Wiring (responsible for 28% of all retail fires)
- Smoking related (17%)
- Lighting (9%)
Electrical equipment, such as lighting, can cause fires when it is placed too close to flammable materials. If this equipment is not properly tested or maintained, it can lead to electrical faults, which can contribute to fire outbreaks.
Smoking related fires are also common. Usually, the fire either starts due to the incorrect disposal of smoking materials, or because smoking has been permitted in an inappropriate area – such as a stockroom, where there might be a high concentration of flammable materials.
Arson is also a leading cause of fire for shops, and the risk of arson can be greater if you store your stock or rubbish in a publicly accessible location.
You Have a Legal Duty To Address The Fire Risks in Your Shop
If you run a retail business, then you have a legal duty to ensure the safety of your employees, along with any other members of the public or contractors who might visit your premises.
Your legal duties include:
- Performing a fire risk assessment to identify all of the fire risks throughout your shop.
- Taking action to protect your employees and other members of the public from fire.
- Introducing measures to reduce the risks of fires breaking out.
- Providing adequate fire safety systems, including alarms and essential firefighting equipment.
- Ensuring there is a safe evacuation plan in the event of a fire.
Penalties for Failing to Meet Fire Regulations
You will face severe penalties if you do not take your fire safety duties seriously. Minor offences can lead to fines of up to £5,000. Major offences can lead to unlimited fines, and up to two years in prison.
Read a full guide to fire safety legislation for retail businesses.
Key Shop Fire Safety Tips
As we mentioned above, you have a legal duty to carry out a comprehensive fire risk assessment for your shop, which will involve identifying all of the possible sources of fire in your store, while outlining the steps you will take to manage, mitigate, or eliminate these risks.
Below we will list some of the fire safety essentials you might introduce following your fire risk assessment.
How to Review Your Fire Safety Systems
Shop fire safety systems can include:
- Sprinkler systems.
- Fire extinguishers – These should be suitable for extinguishing the sorts of fires that could break out in your store. For example, water or foam for wood, paper, or textile fires, or CO2 for electrical fires.
- Emergency lighting.
- Emergency signage, to highlight your emergency exits, and your evacuation routes.
You should periodically review your fire safety equipment to ensure that everything is still functional and in-code, and you should periodically test your alarms and other systems.
You should also regularly test all electrical items in your store, to help prevent any fires breaking out due to electrical failure. Stop using any faulty or damaged equipment immediately, and aim to replace it as soon as possible.
The Importance of Staff Fire Training
Above we outlined the most common causes of fires in shops. Many fires start as a result of staff negligence, such as leaving electrical items too close to flammable materials, or incorrectly discarding of smoking materials.
With this in mind, your staff can be your frontline of defence against fires in your shop:
- Implement a strict smoking policy. Staff should not smoke anywhere in your shop, and they should refrain from smoking in outdoor storage areas, or any other locations where a stray spark could ignite some flammable materials.
- Carry out regular fire safety training sessions, along with fire drills, so that people know what to do in the event of an outbreak. Every member of staff should know which evacuation route to use, where to assemble having left the premises, and who they should report to. They should also know how and when to use your fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.
- People with disabilities, whether they are staff or customers, may struggle to evacuate in the event of a fire. Your staff should also know how to assist anyone who needs help evacuating.
- Finally, make sure your staff understand the risks of electrical fires. Make sure nobody is using counterfeit phone chargers, that nobody is overloading sockets, and that everybody knows how to inspect electrical equipment for damage or faults.
Review Your Insurance
Finally, you should ensure your insurance will give you the cover you need to bounce back following a fire.
As well as cover for your building and your contents, you should also get business interruption insurance. This can help you to meet all of your business overheads if you are forced to temporarily close following a fire.
James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a team of experienced insurance professionals who are dedicated to protecting your shop from the risks you face.
Talk to us and we will give you access to a range of hand-picked, A-rated insurance providers. We can also show you how to evidence your fire risk assessment o your insurers, which can help you make savings on the cost of cover.
Learn more about our tailored insurance solutions for shops like yours, and get a free quote today.