Statistics gathered by the UK government suggest that within three years of a fire 75-80% of businesses will no longer operate. The immediate impact of a fire can be devastating. Even a small fire can result in smoke and water damage, leaving business owners to count the cost. Temporary accommodation and replacing equipment have a negative impact on your ability to continue to run your business and the increasing lose of custom while waiting for repairs to the damage. Even a business that does not experience a fire can be seriously damaged by failing to have the correct procedures and documents in place. Pound Stretcher has been fined over £80,000 by courts in West Yorkshire, since the introduction of the Fire Safety Order in 2005. Simple failings in the company’s fire risk assessments and safety measures resulted in the fines relating to three different stores. The most basic element of any safety regime is the fire risk assessment and for small businesses the lack of assessment can mean your business goes up in smoke – even without a fire.

The role of the fire safety consultancy

They form a key part of a robust fire safety policy. Regular assessments are required to ensure that your business remains complaint. Fire prevention is by far the best outcome for any business and the assessment should play a major role in this. Much of a fire risk assessment is common sense and the majority of remedial action required after an assessment is simple and may not involve any cost. However, fire safety regulations are complex and understanding some aspects of the requirements can call for expert advice.

While ensuring that corridors and exits are free from obstruction and that fire exits are not locked at any time should be straightforward, a fire safety consultancy helps to identify problem areas and can minimise risks by addressing these. In many cases there are specific legal requirements relating to fire doors; for sensitive areas of a building such as server rooms or chemical stores and so it may be necessary to use lockable fire doors. As part of a fire consultancy an assessor should identify these and also identify cost effective solutions. A fire risk consultant or assessor will be able to offer expert advice to resolve issues like this and to keep you within the law.

Simple steps to save your business

While the statistics relating to businesses that cease to trade after a fire send a clear message to business owners, many business people are not fully aware of the implications of breaching the regulations. In addition to considerable fines, breaches can ultimately lead to prosecution or even imprisonment. Compliant fire safety policies incorporating regular fire risk assessments can help to keep you in business and, perhaps most importantly, reduce the risk of fire ruining your business.