Thinking about decorating your business premises for Christmas?
Before you get carried away with the tinsel and the flashing
lights, it's worth spending some time reviewing your fire and
safety risk assessments, to ensure that they are not only
up-to-date, but also take into account any additional fire risks
which may be created by temporary changes you are thinking of
making.
Simple things like Christmas trees, Christmas decorations and
Christmas lights can all affect fire safety depending upon factors
such as their type, combustibility and how and where they are
installed.
In premises such as shops and garden centres, the risk of fire
can be further complicated by the temporary addition of elaborate
electro-mechanical displays or "Father Christmas Grotto" areas. It
is vital to ensure that only competent persons are used in the
planning, design, assessment and construction of such temporary
structures. They will need to ensure that where possible the
materials used are non-combustible or fire resisting. They should
also make sure that all other normal fire safety requirements, such
as a well lit and signposted means of escape with suitably located
emergency lighting, are satisfied. In addition any electrical
wiring installation and connection methods should be suitable. The
use of multi point electrical socket adapters may increase the risk
of a fire occurring, particularly if they are overloaded.
The construction of temporary structures can, unless they are
carefully designed, negate the protection that properly designed
and installed sprinkler systems and other types of fire protection
systems provide. This is especially the case where ceilings or
artificial roofs are to form part of the structure. It is therefore
important to obtain agreement to your proposals from your insurer
before proceeding.
Do not forget that the fire safety risk assessment is not the
only risk assessment which you will need to review. All aspects of
health and safety will need to be reviewed, covering the
construction/erection, use and dismantling/removal
stages.
You will also need to vet any contractors you hire to make sure
that they are competent and have the necessary experience,
expertise, qualifications and adequate insurances.
Trailing electrical cables, even from simple fairy lights, can
often create a tripping hazard along with items such as multi-point
electrical socket adapters. Therefore always ensure that cables are
positioned to avoid pedestrian routes and use cable covers to
securely fix cables in place.
If you have an intruder alarm which includes movement detectors,
depending upon their type, hanging Christmas decorations can lead
to false alarms, particularly if they are located close to the
openings of air conditioning or ventilation ducts or warm air
heating units. Checking with your intruder alarm company about what
to avoid for your particular alarm, may prevent an unwanted alarm
activation.
