• Blog
  • Fire / Chemical / ATEX

Fire inspection ahead? It pays to get fire safety right before the inspection

Fire safety is part of responsible business. Its minimum requirements come from legislation, so it's a good idea to put fire safety in place sooner rather than later. A building's fire safety is based on carefully implemented structural fire safety, fire-fighting equipment and fire-fighting and rescue arrangements. In this article, we will take a closer look at the different aspects of fire safety and what is involved in a fire inspection.

What is a fire inspection and when is it carried out?

When it is time for the fire inspection, the official of the rescue department will contact the representative of the site. At this point, many people are in a hurry, as it is often the fire inspection or other official controls that prompt companies to review the safety of their operations, self-preparedness and compliance.

A fire inspection is a visit by the authorities to ensure that a building and its surroundings are safe. The inspection also checks that the owner or occupier of the property has made adequate provision for accident prevention, damage control and civil protection. If necessary, the fire inspection can issue repair orders under the Rescue Act.

Of course, fire safety is a safety issue in itself, but it is also a good idea to prepare for fire inspections in advance to avoid unnecessary surprises. 

Read also: Occupational risk assessment is the foundation of occupational safety

The best fire safety is good building design - how to succeed

The best way to anticipate fire safety is through quality building design and attention to structural fire safety

Make sure that fire classes, protection levels, fire compartmentation and evacuation safety are well taken into account during the construction phase. If, for example, fire compartmentation is not in place, the situation can escalate greatly in the event of a fire, and the fire can no longer be controlled by a single fire brigade. 

Involve the supervising rescue authority in the building design

It is a good idea to involve the supervising rescue authority as early as possible in the construction planning process. This facilitates the building permit process, as the authority has been able to steer the process in the right direction from the start.

Self-preparedness plays a key role in fire safety planning

When it comes to fire safety, the company's own preparedness and its ability to prevent and limit accidents are important, so it is worth making them a central part of fire safety planning. Self-preparedness means being prepared for incidents, first and foremost by preventing and preparing for emergency measures in the event of an accident such as a fire. 

Read also: Baltic Yachts gets cost-efficiency in construction by considering fire and chemical safety in new production facilities right from the design stage

Want to dive deeper?

To get the most out of good fire safety planning and consideration in your everyday life, our safety experts will give you the best tips in our free webinar.

Download the webinar recording here!   Expert webinar: take control of your organisation's fire safety - download the free webinar recording >>.