Fire safety training is vital in any environment, but fire safety training in the workplace is essential for any business or organisation working in a commercial building.
Everyone working in the building needs to know how to recognise potential fire hazards, practise regular fire safety and prepare to deal with emergencies safely and sensibly.
Investing in fire safety training is a non-negotiable benefit to a business that will, in return, potentially save lives and protect the building from damage. According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) 2005, employers have a legal duty to equip employees with relevant fire safety training.
The benefits of fire safety training
Investing in fire safety training not only keeps you in line with the law but also allows staff to feel confident in tackling issues that may occur during a fire. The benefits of providing such training are too critical to disregard if you wish to run a business that takes care of its employees and property.
Safety of employees
Perhaps a direct reason for fire safety training is to keep employees safe while in the workplace. If you don’t look after employees, who are the main drive to success, you risk business growth plummeting.
Those without knowledge of fire safety will feel hesitant or uneasy in the workplace, causing productivity levels to decrease. Safety is paramount in a working environment, and employees will work better where they know they are comfortable and secure.
Fire safety doesn’t stop at knowing the evacuation points and extinguishing fires. Observing potential hazards and preventing fires from happening in the first place is the best practice when dealing with an emergency. Employees with fire safety training will feel confident enough to take charge and minimise the damage.
Working as a team
Working within a team grows trust, brings collaboration to the workplace and encourages more communication amongst team members. Fire safety training brings an element of communication between employees that can help to promote better working relationships and overall culture. Trust will grow as the team learns how to protect themselves and one another from the dangers of fire.
A lifetime of knowledge
Fire safety is a skill that benefits employees throughout their entire life and not just in the workplace. It teaches people to have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations that prevent an emergency from getting out of hand. With the right mindset, team members will handle emergencies with confidence.
The importance of fire safety training
Owning a commercial property requires building owners to protect everyone who works within or visits the property from fire by law. Fire risk assessments, noticing potential hazards and installing fire safety measures such as fire extinguishers, fire alarms and emergency lighting is only the beginning. Providing fire safety training for staff or designated senior employees is the next best step.
The different types of fire safety training
If a fire occurs, it is essential that getting everyone out of the building safely and efficiently becomes the main priority. Coping with an emergency can feel scary even after having the appropriate training – a fire alarm can set off nerves and anxiety when caught off guard.
Safety training courses will help employees learn a mix of training knowledge, practical skills and experience to prepare for all possible outcomes. Training offers both practical and theoretical levels, with topics such as the different types of fire, how to use fire protection equipment and how to put them out being covered.
Basic fire safety awareness training offers all of the basic skills and knowledge needed during a fire. If a business appoints a fire warden, they can have specific training that covers all aspects of standard fire safety awareness and the role of a fire warden – involving additional training around the responsibilities of taking charge in an emergency.
Fire safety training covers a wide range of knowledge needed to safely and effectively practice fire safety. At Coopers Fire, we develop fire protection products such as fire and smoke curtains to keep buildings safe from fire. We also provide training on installing our products so that your business can feel as comfortable as possible. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
