The Fire Safety Order of 2005 ensured that fire safety training was a legal requirement in the United Kingdom. It shouldn’t be something that has to be forced upon businesses by law however, it is a matter of common sense and is in the best interests of a company. An organisation that is incapable of teaching something as important as fire safety training to its employees is probably incapable of succeeding in the international marketplace. This article looks at some fire safety aspects covered by accredited courses such as basic things that should be done in the event of a fire, fire assessment and use of fire extinguishers.

Every worker needs to know how to react at the sight of a fire or the sound of an alarm. Lack of knowledge in this department could lead to tragic occurrences which could easily be avoided. They need to know how to escape the building during a blaze and every business should have regular fire drills to practice their exit strategy. Staff also need to be educated on the causes of fire. This is particularly pertinent in offices that use large amounts of machinery in their day to day processes. They need to be aware that actions such as leaving machines on overnight are not just inadvisable due to the electricity it uses up! Each staff member needs to know their specific role during an evacuation, as such teamwork will reduce panic and reduce escape time.

Besides effective evacuation techniques, another vital part of fire safety training is teaching your staff how to correctly use fire-fighting apparatus such as fire extinguishers. While it must be made abundantly clear that no one is to tackle anything resembling a large fire, proper use of an extinguisher is still a vital method of training. For example, someone who cannot effectively use one when a fire is just starting will miss out on a golden opportunity to halt the blaze before it got the chance to spread. This could leave to a serious fire and devastating loss of property which would have been avoided had the employee received proper fire safety training.

Another point regarding fire safety training is the importance of regular fire assessment checks. A certain 'responsible individual' must take charge of this operation and report any potential fire hazards. This assessment must also identify those most at risk in the event of a fire and come up with ideas to minimise the chances of a fire starting on the premises. The final result of the assessment should lead to wholesale changes if necessary and a management plan must also be made.

Employees may find fire safety training to be a chore but it is legally necessary. No company should ever cut corners when it comes to teaching its staff about fire safety and all staff should know instinctively how to react in the event of a fire. Proper use must be made of potentially life saving equipment such as fire extinguishers and regular checks of the premises should be made to ensure that no fire hazards are present.