If you are operating a business within the state of Victoria, it is mandatory that your premises meet the fire safety regulations which the state has in place. If you do not meet these requirements you will not be given your fire safety certificate, and this will mean that the business will not be able to trade, or house employees. Across the country we have fire safety laws in place, and whilst these are generally the same from state to state, there are often minor differences which must be adhered to.
Before you open your doors, it will be important to look at the fire safety installation in the business. The simplest way of doing this is to use a company such as Fire and Wire, which can support you through the guidelines and ensure that you do meet all of the legal obligations for business operations.
Building’s Essential Safety Measures
The core of the fire safety certificate requirements is ensuring that the business has what is called essential safety measures in place. These include the presence of fire blankets, fire extinguishers (all varieties which will be needed in the premises) and sprinkler systems. The presence of these items is essential, but so too is the upkeep of this equipment and they should be regularly maintained and certified as being functional.
Fire Doors
An evacuation plan should be formulated and it is critical within this that fire doors are allocated. Beyond this, an essential aspect of fire safety is that these doors are kept clear and unobstructed at all times, with no exceptions. If the business fails on this front when they are inspected, they do run the risk of having their certificate taken away from them.
Involving All
Every single person working inside the building must be completely aware of where the ESM equipment is placed, how to use it and what to do in the event of a fire. This requires an in-depth training plan for them, as well as annual refreshers. Business owners must be able to prove at all times that their staff are fully trained and that they understand perfectly what to do should a fire break out.
Fire Safety Signage
And finally it is essential that each company has fire safety signage which will educate customers on what they should do in the event of a fire. Beyond this there should be clear signage as to where the ESM equipment is, as well as clear instructions on how they should be used. If you are in any doubt as to what that signage should look like, contact the local government’s fire safety department in order to get yourself a guide for what is expected of you with regards to this.
To put this simply, if the company does not have a functioning fire safety plan which meets the state’s legal standards, they will not be able to operate as a business until they do. A fire safety certificate is required and spot checks do happen thereafter, which is why you must be on the ball.
