Fire Safety Questions

Test your knowledge with our fire safety questions. Did you know that there are around 25,000 fires in England and Wales each year, and many businesses may never completely recover from the damage caused by a fire. Buildings must be in compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which governs general fire safety in England and Wales and applies throughout the country.

 

The responsibility for taking the necessary precautions to avoid fires and to ensure that your workplace fulfils all applicable health and safety regulations falls on your shoulders as a company owner. Test your knowledge with our fire safety questions!

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FIRE STRATEGY – ARE YOU ACCOUNTABLE? SPEAK TO AN EXPERT

Working at Heights Questions

HSE defines working at heights as any task performed at any location where a person might fall from a dangerously high level and suffer serious harm if proper measures are not followed. 

 

As the height and number of tall buildings continue to rise, it is becoming more important to grasp the specifics of operating at height in order to stay safe. There are a slew of rules that apply to working at heights, many of which are often unclear to an employer although they are still required to comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Please get in touch with us if you are unclear or have any questions.

When am i considered to be working at heights?

You are considered to be working at heights if you are at risk of falling

To fall: Meaning a person to fall from one level to another level.

Risk of: Means when a worker is exposed to circumstances in the workplace that is reasonably likely to cause injury to themselves or colleagues. 

This includes you, if:

  • You work in a structure that has elevated working areas.
  • You work in a structure or premises that are used to gain access to the elevated levels mentioned above.
  • You work around surfaces from where you could fall.You work in the vicinity of an edge-over from where you could fall.
  • You work closeby to openings from where you could fall.
  • You work near slopes or other unstable areas in your workplace.

In all of the above situations, you should be properly trained to safely work at heights.

How long will my training last & should i refresh?

Working safely at heights has no expiration date although it is reccomended that you retrain every 12 months.

Is a rescue plan needed when working at heights?

Yes, health & safety regulations state that you must have procedures in place that have been tested and have been proven to be effective in the event of an emergency situation.

What can i expect to learn from your working at heights training?

Our training consists of 2 components, a practical component and a theoretical one. From the theoretical training, you will learn:

  • Potential hazards
  • Fall protection
  • Ladder safety
  • Rescue plan
  • Warning methods
  • Legislative requirements
  • Scaffolding safety
  • Duties of the responsible person(s) such as supervisors, fire marshals & alarm responders

From the practical training you will learn to demonstrate:

  • How to use a beam to grip an anchor
  • Harness fitting
  • Tie-off techniques
  • Rope grabs
  • Lifelines
What about refresher training, what does it consist of?

Refresher training works to ensure that you are up-to-date and fully aware of any changes in the regulatory requirements that may have taken place since your last training sessions.

Our proactive refresher training also works to reinforce key learning skills and goals. These include fall methods, practical demonstrations of competency & knowledge, and also a written test.

Who's responsibility is it to ensure staff receive proper working at heights training?

The employer is responsible to ensure workers complete an approved working at heights training program before they can begin their work duties.

What is the purpose of this training?

The purpose of our working at heights training course is to provide:

  • Purpose & use of fire equipment
  • Incident reduction
  • Safety & knowledge practice
  • Strengthen safety culture in the workplace
When should you use a ladder?

You should use a ladder when a fire risk assessment determines that there is no other lower risk or safer equipment is available, ladders should only be used in a safe manner.

Is there a maximum height for using a ladder?

No, there is no set-in-stone maximum height you can use a ladder.

You should only use a ladder as a last option when there is no alternative working platform available. If there is a working platform present, then it is expected that it will be used first so that the worker does not have to work from a ladder.

Working platforms - What are they?

Working platforms can be classified as the following:

  • Floors
  • Step ladders
  • Scaffold platforms
  • Roofs
  • Elevating platforms
How can you identify if somebody is confident to work at heights?

The right skills are a must for someone who is looking to work at heights, they must possess the experience & knowledge in order to perform and complete the task.

Workers that are in the training period must be supervised when carrying out duties that fall under working at heights.

Why is it important?

Our working at heights training is extremely important to ensure those who are working in these environments do all they can to minimise the risk of damage and injury. 

Is your working at heights training available online?

Yes, just like with our other courses, this training is available via our interactive online fire safety Zoom courses.

D.S.E.A.R Questions

Explosives are dangerous and can cause bodily harm such as heat radiation, oxygen loss, and other effects that can result in death.

 

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) must be enforced in workplaces or work sites to avoid any undesirable fire-related events and to maintain safety.

 

Any location where explosives are manufactured, stored, used, or present falls under the definition of a risk area, requiring risk assessments and appropriate safety measures. If you own a business or are self-employed, you must take steps to ensure the safety of your employees in accordance with D.S.E.A.R laws. Read more on DSEAR

What does the term D.S.E.A.R stand for?

The term D.S.E.A.R stands for Dangerous Substance and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 – Learn more

What premises require D.S.E.A.R?

All premises that handle a large number of flammable materials that are capable of creating a potentially explosive atmosphere.

Is D.S.E.A.R required by law?

Yes, if you are a building owner that handles large quantities of flammable materials, then you are required by law to be in possession of D.S.E.A.R certification under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

What substances are considered to be dangerous?

Substances in the form of dust, fumes, vapours or powders could be classed as dangerous. These include solvents, paints, dust from sanding processes, petrol, corrosive substances and varnishes. 

Who is responsible for D.S.E.A.R compliance?

If you are an employer or a commercial building owner, then you have the responsibility to take the necessary measures of D.S.E.A.R for the safety of yourself, your staff and your premises.

Who can perform a D.S.E.A.R assessment?

The DSEAR & ATEX regulations state that it is the owner’s responsibility for the compliance of their site as implemented in the United  Kingdom within the DSEAR regulations. 

Evac Chair Questions

One of the roles of a fire marshal is to direct and help people in finding a safe path out of a burning building or structure. In the event of a fire, disabled people must rely completely on the assistance of another person. Book Fire Evacuation chair training

 

Our training provides knowledge and information that will help the staff in completing the evacuation procedure in a timely manner. Evacuation chairs are sometimes referred to as disability evacuation chairs, staircase evacuation chairs, fire evacuation chairs, or evac chairs. Read more about Evac Chairs

What is an evacuation chair?

An evacuation chair (Evac Chair) is an essential piece of safety equipment to enable the safe evacuation of a person who is mobility impaired.  

Do you have evacuation chair training?

Yes, our proactive fire safety training course covers the emergency evacuation chair. The course duration is 4 hours and can be taken at your place of work.

Could i operate an evac chair by myself?

Yes, our evac chair training teaches you how to operate the emergency evacuation chair by yourself. However, it is recommended to have two persons present for access purposes such as opening doors.

Can an evac chair be used on any staircase?

Most evac chairs can be used on many internal staircase type including those constructed from wood, metal, concrete, carpeted & laminated.

What will i learn from your evac chair training?
  • Become fully aware and competent in the safe use of the Evac Chair.
  • Learn from highly qualified instructors
  • Training across all types of Evac chairs.
  • Enables you to teach colleagues how to correctly use an Evac Chair
  • Hands-on training
  • Gives you full confidence in the use of an Evac chair in an emergency situation.
  • Individual certification
  • Gain the ability to understand how to properly open and adjust the chair.
     
     
Can a person fall from an evac chair?

No, they are sat in a pocket seat that cups them securely into the chair and they are also strapped in being transported safely only inches from the ground.

Fire Equipment Questions

Fire safety precautions must be put in place and maintained on an ongoing basis. This includes ensuring that your workplace is equipped with appropriate fire safety equipment to help keep people and property safe. Fire extinguishers types and uses.

 

There is a broad selection of equipment that you will require for your business, including devices that will detect and alert you of an imminent fire, as well as equipment that will properly extinguish the fire such as fire extinguishers. We provide proactive fire extinguisher training, learn more

How many extinguishers should a workplace have?

Irrelevant to the type of work that occurs inside a building, fire extinguishers remain essential. When asking how many do I need and where should I place them, regulations state extinguishers should be placed in areas that are easily accessible and visible. An example of this could be placing the extinguishers along pathways or corridors that are regularly transferred. Another could be placing them alongside marked warehouse pathways and routes.

Are fire sprinklers a requirement?

Regulations focus on the occupancy and how that directly correlates to fire sprinkler requirements. Also, there are the following building types that are always required to have a sprinkler system installed.

  • High-risk buildings
  • Institution buildings
  • Retail outfits
  • Residential buildings.

Larger buildings are required to have sprnler systems fitted. New developments that are 5000 square foot must have a sprinkler system aswell as existing buildings that expand to over 12,000 feet.

Do jockey pumps require emergency power?

No, a jockey pump is fed in the same way as all other pumps in the building and do not require emergency electric.

What are the 5 types of fire extinguishers?

There are 5 main types of extinguishers, water, foam, CO2, powder and wet chemical. Fire extinguisher types & uses

What colour is fire equipment signage in the workplace?

Fire equipment signage is red.

What kind of water do the fire brigade use?

The fire brigade use mains supply water to a fire.

What type of water piping does a fire sprinkler system use?

Commonly steel piping is used for fire sprinkler systems.

How long does a fire extiguisher last?

Most standard extinguishers will contain enough agent to last around 10-13 seconds.

What are the different types of sprinkler pumps?

There are 5 types of sprinkler pumps, vertical split-case, horizontal split-case, vertical turbine, end suction and inline. 

General Fire Safety Questions

There are around 25,000 fires in England and Wales each year, and many businesses may never completely recover from the damage caused by a fire.

 

Buildings must be in compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which governs general fire safety in England and Wales and applies throughout the country.

 

The responsibility for taking the necessary precautions to avoid fires and to ensure that your workplace fulfils all applicable health and safety regulations falls on your shoulders as a company owner.

How Do I Book Safety Training?

A: Select the safety training course here & the date you wish to complete the training.  fill out all details and we send you an email confirming your booking.  

 
Can you deliver your training at our premisis?

A: Sure, you can complete all of our courses at your premises. We will need adequate space for the practical training and a room for the theory component.

 
What is fire safety training?

Our proactive safety training can cover a range of areas that include the use of fire equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets & hoses. We provide a wide range of training services which can be conducted at your place of work.

What is a fire safety system?

Fire safety measures are a set of proceedures & practices intended to reduce the damage caused by a fire breaking out. These measures include those that are intended to prevent ignition of a fire and also limit the spreading of a fire after it ignites.

 
What clothes should i wear for training?

A: Comfortable shoes and clothes. If you wish to use gloves on your training please bring these with you. Please ensure that shoes cover all of your feet and are a safe fit for proactive training.

 
What customers do you give training to?

A: We currently deliver training to some of the biggest PLCs in the UK including Google, Princes Trust Fund, London Borough of Hounslow, Nationwide Accident Repair are just to name a few.

Can your training be customised to fit individual needs?

A: Yes we can customise any of our training services to fit your needs including timing to fit in with staff shifts and shift changeover.

 
Do you require me to bring any special equipment to training?

A: No, we provide all of the equipment that is needed for our training. Please note that this doesn’t apply to gloves or shoes/boots.

When do i need to refresh my training?

A: We recommend that you refresh your training every 12-24 months to ensure make sure that you remain familiar with the fire safety procedures at your workplace.

When is a fire safety certificate necessary?

A fire safety certificate is required by law to prove your building meets fire safety standards. The certificate needs to be applied for and obtained when you construct a new building or change an existing one. 

 
Does a carbon minoxide detector detect gas?

No, they will not detect gas leaks. Carbon monoxide detectors only detect carbon monoxide. Gas companies often add an agent such as mercaptan, or methanethiol in the gas to give it a distinctive smell. This makes it easy to detect a gas leak should there be one.

Can you offer training at weekends?

Yes we can customise our training courses to fit your requirements. Please get in touch for a chat.

Know your stuff? Why not try our fire safety quiz

Still Can’t find what you are looking for? Contact us

Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) click here.
If you would like to arrange a free fire risk consultation, Get in touch

My Fire Safety Ltd – Proactive Fire Training – 0800 999 11 25
The Hive, Bell Lane, Stevenage Herts SG1 3HW.

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