If your business is in Warwickshire, then Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service want to hear from you!As part of the support package for businesses re-opening following the COVID-19 outbreak, Warwic...
If your business is in Warwickshire, then Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service want to hear from you!
As part of the support package for businesses re-opening following the COVID-19 outbreak, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are urging them to get online and fill in the COVID-19 Return to Work Survey. The survey helps guide businesses to remain compliant with fire safety as they adapt and make changes to help protect against COVID-19. It also guides them through a fire safety audit to ensure that as well as being COVID secure, they also continue to comply with fire safety legislation.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Services Group Manager for Fire Protection, Roland Bayley said:
“We know it’s really tough for businesses at the moment. They have had to adapt to new ways of working over the past few months and some have needed to close, which means that it may have been a while since they have had to even think about fire safety.
“However, I want to reassure businesses that we are here to help them every step of the way. Our Fire Protection team have been working hard over the last few weeks to provide advice and support to those businesses preparing to reopen. Worryingly we have been asked questions around whether fire doors can be propped open to stop people having to touch handles and one business even asked if they could remove their fire doors altogether.
“We know these are challenging times and what may seem like an easy solution, could clearly be the wrong one, which is why our team are here to answer any questions and to ensure that your businesses stays fire safe and compliant.”
Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Fire and Rescue and Community Safety, Councillor Andy Crump said:
“With businesses working hard to ensure they are COVID secure and with new ways of working, it may mean that business needs have changed. So it’s important fire risk assessments are reviewed to ensure they continue to reflect that change.
“It’s also important that shortcuts, however well intentioned, such as propping open fire doors or even locking doors to ensure staff can only enter and exit the building in a certain way are not taken. If you are unsure, there is a wealth of information on our website or you can speak with our Fire Protection Team, who are there to give you the right guidance and advice to get your business back up and running safely.”
If you are re-opening this week. Other areas for your consideration include:
- Fire Risk Assessments – the assessment will need to include changes to work processes, how the premises will be used and changes to the layout.
- Means of Escape – will include not propping open fire doors, maintaining social distancing at the fire assembly point and when exiting the building and not blocking fire exits with excess stock.
- Fire Safety Systems and Equipment – ensure they are checked when back on site and then maintain your regular assessments.
- Emergency Procedures & Staff Training – ensure that all staff including new employees have the right training to be able to safely evacuate the premises.
- Arson and Deliberate Fire setting – know what steps to take to stop your businesses becoming a target
For more information and advice and to fill in the COVID-19 Return to Work Survey, please visit - https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/coronavirusbusinesssupport or call our Fire Protection Team on 01926 466263.