Fire Fighting Equipment and Measures
For premises covered by the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, the workplace must be equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment where necessary.
A competent person (internal or external) must assist in determining the necessity for fire-fighting equipment and the extent to which such provision is appropriate for the workplace.
Any non-automatic fire-fighting equipment so provided must be easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs.
Necessity for Fire-Fighting Equipment
In judging the necessity for fire-fighting equipment, account must be taken of:
- the features of the workplace;
- the activities carried on there;
- any hazards present; and
- any other relevant circumstances.
Appropriateness & Extent of Fire-Fighting Equipment
In judging the appropriateness of the extent to which the workplace must be equipped with fire-fighting equipment, account must be taken of:
- the dimensions and use of the building housing the workplace;
- the equipment it contains;
- the physical and chemical properties of the substances likely to be present;
- the maximum number of people who may be present at any one time.
Fire-fighting equipment required may include fire extinguishing appliances, fire extinguishing systems or both. The siting and selection or combination of equipment requires specialist knowledge.