{"id":828,"date":"2018-09-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-25T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cos.p10.sol1.net\/uncategorized\/fire-safety-how-to-make-sure-your-business-is-protected\/"},"modified":"2024-04-12T04:04:08","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T04:04:08","slug":"fire-safety-make-sure-your-business-is-protected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/cospedia\/fire-safety-make-sure-your-business-is-protected","title":{"rendered":"Fire Safety: How to Make Sure Your Business is Protected"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"828\" class=\"elementor elementor-828\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-687426de elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"687426de\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7e640a9c\" data-id=\"7e640a9c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-484a4e33 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"484a4e33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><\/p>\n<p>There can be no shortcuts when it comes to protecting staff, visitors and physical assets from fire. Cutting corners could be catastrophic.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Having the correct equipment, training, fire safety measures and contingency plans in place can make a huge difference to the outcome of\u00a0an emergency situation. If a fire severely damaged your business premises and equipment, could you realistically continue to provide your products and\/or services? Would you lose customers? Could you end up losing your business?<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>The risk is real, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses.\u00a0 In the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that nearly 40% of small businesses close following a disaster. The Institute for Business and Home Safety estimates that once a business closes following a disaster, only 25% will ever reopen.\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Australian businesses are subject to similar risks and statistics, meaning we should pay close attention to fire prevention and planning.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>Steps for Fire Safety<\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fire.nsw.gov.au\/page.php?id=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NSW\u00a0Fire\u00a0Service<\/a>\u00a0recommends\u00a0the following:<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Avoid storing flammable materials (such as packaging materials or waste) where they can be accessed by\u00a0unauthorised\u00a0people, including areas outside your business premises.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Make sure machinery is kept clean and serviced regularly. If possible, switch machinery off when the business is unattended.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Secure all access points and make sure your business is well-lit when it is unattended.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Ensure your business has a functional fire alarm system\u00a0which is\u00a0regularly serviced.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">If your business handles dangerous goods, ensure they are stored and used in line with legal\u00a0safety\u00a0requirements.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Make sure your business has a fire escape plan that includes full staff lists and designated meeting points.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Ensure all staff undergo regular fire safety training. Training will reduce the level of panic during a real emergency and should include: when, how and where to exit calmly; designated roles during a fire emergency; specific training for those responsible for using the fire extinguishers, fire blankets and other specific equipment.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Protect vital business information.\u00a0 Perhaps consider storing this information at an off-site secure location to ensure it is easily accessible if a fire occurs.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>Fire Protection Essentials<\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s better to be prepared with fire\u00a0safety equipment\u00a0than be caught short of items which can affect the outcome of a fire and evacuation.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/workplace-health-and-safety\/safety-supplies\/Firebox-Fire-Blanket-18mx18m-SAFE2718\"><b>Fire blankets<\/b><\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Ideal for smothering fires including cooking oils or fat, which can often be made worse if sprayed with water. Most are made with a fire-resistant glass\u00a0fibre\u00a0material and should be manufactured to Australian Standards AS\/NZS 3504. Fire blankets can be used to extinguish small indoor fires like cooking fires or wrapping around someone whose clothes have caught alight.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b>Signage<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Available in a variety of sizes and orientations, fire safety signs promote safety and awareness in the workplace by being instantly\u00a0recognisable\u00a0and directing staff to life-saving emergency equipment and exits.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/workplace-health-and-safety\/head-protection\/Fire-Warden-Safety-Helmet-SAFE2810\">Hard hats<\/a> and fire warden emblems<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 making it easy for people to locate the person they need to report to and whose instructions they should follow during a fire emergency.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/search?searchTerm=&amp;productCodes=%7CSAFE2701%7CSAFE2700%7CSAFE2702%7CSAFE2735%7CSAFE2703%7CSAFE2704%7CSAFE2706\"><b>Fire extinguishers<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b>\u2013\u00a0Different extinguishers are suitable for different substances, and it&#8217;s\u00a0important to\u00a0get\u00a0professional advice as to which type\/s of extinguisher will be best suited to your business, as well as ensuring that placement of the extinguishers meets legal requirements.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Other considerations for your building are a smoke alarm, sprinkler and fireproof safe for safeguarding critical information.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" class=\"wp-image-15800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/fire-safety-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/fire-safety-2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-content\/smush-avif\/2022\/05\/fire-safety-2-300x200.jpg.avif 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" data-smush-avif-fallback=\"{&quot;srcset&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.cos.net.au\\\/c\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/05\\\/fire-safety-2.jpg 600w, https:\\\/\\\/www.cos.net.au\\\/c\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/05\\\/fire-safety-2-300x200.jpg 300w&quot;}\" \/><\/figure>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>Types of Fire Extinguisher<\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>WATER:<\/strong> identifiable by the solid red cylinder, are primarily used for Class A fires, e.g. wood, paper, cloth, rubber, plastics, grass, coal.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>FOAM:<\/strong> identifiable by a blue band around the cylinder, are suitable for Class A and B fires, e.g. wood, paper, cardboard, plastic, flammables and combustible liquids.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2):<\/strong> identifiable by a black band around the cylinder, are suitable for Class E fires, primarily electrical.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>DRY POWDER:<\/strong> identifiable by a white band around the cylinder, can be used for Class A, B, C and E fires \u2013 in other words, most fires except oils and fats.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>VAPORISING LIQUID:<\/strong> identifiable by a yellow band around the cylinder, and can be used for class A and E fires, e.g. paper, wood, cardboard and electrical.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>WET CHEMICAL:<\/strong> identifiable by an oatmeal band around the cylinder, and can be used for Class F fires, e.g. cooking oils and fats, paper and wood.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>Safety First<\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Every employee and visitor to your business wants to go home to their family fit and well, every single day. As such, taking the time to focus on fire protection and planning for your business is essential.\u00a0 <span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Consider your business fire protection plan as an insurance policy. Hopefully, you\u2019ll never need to use it &#8211; but if you do, it could be the one thing that prevents a catastrophe.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='watch-action'><div class='watch-position align-left'><div class='action-like'><a class='lbg-style3 like-828 jlk' href='javascript:void(0)' data-task='like' data-post_id='828' data-nonce='3c6d52cef8' rel='nofollow'><img class='wti-pixel' src='https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-content\/plugins\/wti-like-post\/images\/pixel.gif' title='Did you find this useful?' \/><span class='lc-828 lc'>0<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class='action-unlike'><a class='unlbg-style3 unlike-828 jlk' href='javascript:void(0)' data-task='unlike' data-post_id='828' data-nonce='3c6d52cef8' rel='nofollow'><img class='wti-pixel' src='https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-content\/plugins\/wti-like-post\/images\/pixel.gif' title='' \/><span class='unlc-828 unlc'>0<\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <div class='status-828 status align-left'><\/div><\/div><div class='wti-clear'><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There can be no shortcuts when it comes to protecting staff, visitors and physical assets from fire. Cutting corners could be catastrophic.\u00a0 Having the correct equipment, training, fire safety measures and contingency plans in place can make a huge difference to the outcome of\u00a0an emergency situation. If a fire severely damaged your business premises and &#8230; <a title=\"Fire Safety: How to Make Sure Your Business is Protected\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/cospedia\/fire-safety-make-sure-your-business-is-protected\" aria-label=\"Read more about Fire Safety: How to Make Sure Your Business is Protected\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":829,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,31],"tags":[503,504,505,506],"class_list":["post-828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cospedia","category-health-wellbeing","tag-fire","tag-fire-protection","tag-fire-safety","tag-ohs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=828"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/828\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39651,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/828\/revisions\/39651"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/829"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}