Define fire planning and explain requirements for safe handling and storage of substances.

Employers (and / or building owners or occupiers) must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and keep it up to date. This shares the same approach as health and safety risk assessments and can be carried out either as part of an overall risk assessment or as a separate exercise. Based on the findings of the assessment, employers need to ensure that adequate and appropriate fire safety measures are in place to minimise the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire.

Carry out a fire safety risk assessment, keep sources of ignition and flammable substances apart, avoid accidental fires, e.g. make sure heaters cannot be knocked over, ensure good housekeeping at all times, e.g. avoid build-up of rubbish that could burn, consider how to detect fires and how to warn people quickly if they start, e.g. installing smoke alarms and fire alarms or bells, have the correct fire-fighting equipment for putting a fire out quickly, keep fire exits and escape routes clearly marked and unobstructed at all times, ensure your workers receive appropriate training on procedures they need to follow, including fire drills, review and update your risk assessment regularly.

Dangerous substances that cause fire and explosion – These range from the obvious, e.g. flammable chemicals, petrol, cellulose paint thinners and welding gases, to the less obvious – engine oil, grease, packaging materials, dusts from wood, flour and sugar – consider specific storage areas for flammable and other substances