Could Your Office Be a Fire Hazard? Here’s how to protect yourself and your team.

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If you’re like most South African professionals, you probably spend between 40 and 45 hours a week at your desk. This is a long time to spend in a potentially unsafe environment. We therefore thought it imperative that we share our knowledge on the practical steps you can take to maintain an office environment that will keep you and your colleagues safe.

In this article we will be focusing on fire safety.

 

Figure 1,  video showing a fire at an office building in Johannesburg

 

There Are More Fire Incidents in Offices Than in The Petroleum Sector

When you think about fire safety, you probably consider garages, workshops, and the petroleum industry, right? After all, those are the places we typically associate with fire hazards. However, here’s a surprising fact: referring to data published by the Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa (FPASA) for 2022, there were far more office fires (123 incidents) than fires in garages and workshops (63 incidents). This number is even greater than the one for fire incidents recorded in the petroleum sector (just 18 incidents).

Figure 2, number of fire incidents in 2022 (based on 2022 statistics published by the FPASA)

 

You will notice that office fire safety is often neglected, leaving a dangerous gap in preparedness. The 123 fire incidents in 2022 resulted in losses of over R10.95 million (see graph below), this is proof that neglecting fire safety in offices can have serious consequences.

 

Figure 3, Cost of damage due to fire (based on 2022 statistics published by the FPASA)

 

This isn’t just about numbers, it’s about recognizing risks where we least expect them. Offices may not have fuel tanks or (regular) welding sparks, but electrical faults and arson can make them just as vulnerable to devastating fires.

 By prioritizing fire safety in your workplace (through staff training, regular fire risk assessments, and having clear evacuation plans) you’re not only protecting property but lives too.  Do not wait for a wake-up call; let’s start treating office fire safety with the urgency it deserves.

 

 

Figure 4, firefighters putting out a fire at your office park is the last thing you want to see.

 

At Maksure Risk Solutions, we have a dedicated team of experts that can assist you in identifying the hazards (e.g. fire) lurking in your office. We don’t stop there, we will go the extra mile to help you craft cost effective ways of eliminating or mitigating their impacts.

 

How to Proactively Protect Yourself and Your Workmates from Fire – Fire Risk Assessments

Establishing a proactive approach to fire safety isn’t just about compliance—it’s about ensuring a secure environment for everyone.

One of the first steps is conducting a thorough fire risk assessment. Our risk engineers at Maksure conduct this evaluation to identify hazards such as faulty electrical equipment or improperly stored flammable materials. We also provide a customised (DIY) checklist that will guide you in keeping your office safe. However, if you want to leave it to the experts, give Maksure a call.

Figure 5,  discussions on basic workplace safety and fire protection are of key importance.

Under normal circumstances, your designated fire safety officer or head fire marshal should oversee fire risk assessments. If you do not have such a team member then you may consider having conversations around appointing a fire marshal and some assistants.

Fire engineers, the guys who normally service your fire equipment, are usually happy to conduct fire training for their clients as an extension to their normal services. Their expertise ensures that your workplace meets legal requirements and adheres to best practices. Next time they visit your office, have a chat with them and ask for some demonstrations on how to operate basic fire equipment.

 

Figure 6, local fire teams can also be booked to carry out a familiarisation of your premises.

 

Equipping your office with proper fire safety tools is equally crucial. Fire extinguishers suited to specific spaces (whether a small office or a large building) should be easily accessible.

A fireproof safe can protect your critical documents, while a well-maintained alarm system can provide early warnings. Training your staff members is another vital element. The designated fire marshals must understand evacuation protocols and be adept at using fire safety equipment.

 

Figure 7, All employees should be aware of the evacuation procedures and appropriate fire assembly points.

 

In conclusion, Risk Management is mostly about mindset and a willingness to work in a safe and secure environment. With this in mind, it’s important to ensure that your team is conscientized on the importance of fire safety. Contact our risk assessment champions who are more than able to assist you in identifying, assessing and mitigating risks, some of which you may not even be aware of.

While every workplace is unique, our goals remain the same: to minimize risk and foster a culture of safety. We should therefore strive to keep a safe working environment for ourselves; and even for our families who always want to see us return home from work happy and healthy.

 

Contact Us Today!

Our expert insurance brokers are ready to guide you in selecting the best cover for your office.

 

 

About Maksure Risk Solutions

Maksure Risk Solutions is an Afro-Global independent specialist insurance and reinsurance broker with business footprint in Africa, Asia, East & Western Europe, South America and the Caribbean. We provide innovative and tailor-made risk solutions in Insurance and Reinsurance as well as Risk Financing and Actuarial Consulting geared towards capital management and strengthening our client’s balance sheet. Maksure is also one of the major players in Captive Management (Establishment & Management) in South Africa, Mauritius, Bermuda and various other jurisdictions. We have access into the Lloyds of London with a deep understanding of African markets. Our global nature ensures that our clients access quality capacity as well as some of the world’s latest thinking and solutions.