Three Important Precautions for Preparing Your Annual Fire Safety Statement

If you are the new owner of a commercial building, you should plan for the lodging of a fire safety statement. As implied, this document is intended to prove that the fire safety measures on your premises meet the appropriate standards. The process involves the assessment of all the essential elements in the fire protection plan, including fire doors, fire suppression systems and detection measures. The objective is to ensure that the elements will perform as expected in an emergency. If you are unfamiliar with fire safety statements, consider these guidelines to avoid common mistakes.

Inspect Your Building

When preparing for the lodging of the fire safety statement, consider evaluating the existing measures on your property. This consideration is crucial for budgeting if there are required repairs and upgrades. If you are diligent in the upkeep of safety features, you will not need a lot of work to get your building to the appropriate standards. However, you should still examine each element. For example, fire doors are highly vulnerable points in a fire safety plan. These units are designed to isolate fire, so problems like incomplete closure, cracks and jamming will affect performance. Also, ensure that suppression systems are in good condition through testing.

Check the Timeline

Annual fire statements are essential for building owners. The requirement for this document is crucial for ensuring the safety of tenants, employees and the public. Ignoring the need for lodging the statement will attract legal complications in case of a fire incident. Moreover, there are penalties related to non-compliance when filing the statement. Therefore, you should check on the recommended timeline for lodging in your local area. Also, check on your need for a supplementary fire statement if required for your building. These additional documents are needed for any critical fire safety measures.

Know the Template

Fire statements need to be logged in the appropriate format recommended by the government. In simple terms, there is a standard template form prepared to ensure the uniformity of the reports issued by building owners. Therefore, check on the applicable template for your case to ensure that the document conforms to the requirements. Keep in mind that the standard template is subject to change due to general revisions or special circumstances. Always check the official platforms for fire safety for the latest document before proceeding. Finally, keep in mind that the annual fire safety statement requires the services of an accredited practitioner in fire safety. Choose a qualified expert to inspect and confirm the safety of your building