As we move from long summer nights into the shorter winter nights, the festive season will soon be upon us.
Business owners are reminded that reviewing your current fire risk assessment helps you to make sure that you have considered what, if any, additional measures you need to keep people safe during the festive season. For example, changes include greater numbers of people, the internal layout, and draping decorations. Flammable foliage and any pyrotechnics inside the premises should be avoided and may impact on the fire safety precautions that you provide during the festive season.
Artificial foliage is now a popular and fashionable method for decorating the interiors of many premises. When ignited, this material will rapidly cause the development and spread of fire. This may stop people from making a safe escape.
This picture shows how the material burns when exposed to flame, it was treated with fire – retardant spray before the test was carried out. As the material melts, droplets can fall from above (potentially on to people trying to escape).
There are too many tragic fire incidents where a great many lives have been lost because of flammable wall and ceiling linings, drapes and decorations. These incidents regrettably still occur today.
During the festive season you may employ more staff or have larger numbers of people in your premises, for example for Christmas parties or events. You should make sure that there are enough exits available for the number of people that need to use them to make a safe escape in the event of fire. Staff should also be trained in what to do in the event of a fire.
Guidance on occupancy numbers and capacity is available on this website or you can contact us to ask for advice.
Fire safety law requires the Responsible Person, or any person in control of a premises to undertake, or review, their fire risk assessment to determine in advance whether what they propose to apply to walls and ceilings, will be safe and acceptable.
We strongly advise all business owners who use, or are considering using, this type of decoration to review their fire risk assessment. Where it is identified that it will aid the spread and development of fire, remove it.
Other changes to the business, such as employing more staff or increasing stock will require the responsible person to review and or update their fire risk assessment.
Further fire risk assessment advice and guidance is available here.