The owners and management of buildings that are open to the public owe visitors a duty of care — and that means guarding against common safety risks, such as fires. Fires in public buildings have long been a major concern, which is why managers need to be proactive about preventing them.
Not all fires are preventable, but most are with effective safety measures. What kind of safety measures should public buildings implement?
1. Clear exits
When a fire starts, the most important thing is for visitors to get out of the building quickly and safely. Quickly doesn’t mean in a panic. Buildings should have clearly marked fire exits and signposts on how to get to those exits. A fire exit is no use if nobody knows it is there.
2. Alarm systems
A fire can spread quickly but silently. Smoke is often one of the first clues that a fire is ongoing, and by the time many visitors have seen smoke, it could be too late. This is why it’s so important for alarm systems to be fitted. Ideally, these should go off with any unusual changes in temperature or gas detection. There should also be manual fire alarms that visitors or staff can set off if they see flames or smoke. Alarm systems give people a head start, and every second counts during a fire.
3. Good housekeeping
While it’s important to be able to act efficiently during a fire, proactive measures are more important. Public buildings should ensure that all of their electrical equipment is well-maintained and up to safety codes. Staff should be trained in fire prevention.
If you have been injured in a fire, holding the building owner to account may be possible. Seek legal guidance to discover more about personal injury compensation.
