Fires can start anywhere, but workshops and toolstores, especially those in timber-framed buildings are a particular hazard. Note the following:

  1. Highly flammable liquids, including petrol, paints, solvents and pesticides, and liquified petroleum gas (Calor gas) must be safely stored. Buy only what you need to minimise the need for storage.
  2. Keep workshops and toolstores tidy and free of rubbish, especially oily rags and paper.
  3. Ensure all electrical and power equipment is in safe working order.
  4. Provide the correct type of fire extinguishers for the likely hazards, and train staff and volunteers in their use.
  5. Workshops should be non-smoking areas. Provide clear notices to this effect.

The local Fire Authority may provide a free fire check of your premises and give advice on matters such as fire extinguishers, exits, alarms, signs and so on. Some authorities also hold day or half-day training courses on fire prevention.

Fire safety checks

Fire extinguishers should be checked monthly to ensure they are in their correct positions, and that they are not damaged, empty or corroded. Weight is a clear indicator of content, except for carbon dioxide extinguishers, on which the wire and lead seal should be intact. Partly used extinguishers should always be refilled and checked by the supplier. All extinguishers should be checked annually by the suppliers and marked as having been done.

Beware of the following hazards, and take action to remedy them.

  1. Oil or grease that has dripped onto the floor, and then been covered with sawdust, making a combustible mixture.
    Clean up any accidental spillage of oil, grease or other flammable substances immediately, and dispose of the waste to an external rubbish collection point. Disposal of oil or chemicals should be checked with the local Environmental Health Department. Provide drip trays where necessary. Dirty oil and other liquids can be put into an old oil can for disposal.
  2. Electric cables trailing in oil or chemicals.
    Avoid any trailing cables, and clean up spillages of oil or chemicals.
  3. Water running down walls into electrical sockets.
    Turn off the electricity supply at the mains, and do not switch on until action has been taken to remedy water leaks. Check sockets for corrosion and condensation, if unsure seek the opinion of a qualified electrician.
  4. Motor housings and ventilation slots clogged with dust and fluff. Electrical equipment that smells.
    Keep all electrical and other power equipment clean and in proper working order.
  5. Piles of oily rags, paper and other rubbish.
    Remove rubbish regularly. Store only a few oily rags, and keep these in a metal container with lid. Dispose of oily rags when soiled.

Fire alarms

Battery operated smoke detectors are cheap and readily available, and are well worth installing in all premises, although regular function checks and battery replacement is essential and so main powered fire alarms should be installed where possible. Most fires produce appreciable smoke before they produce heat; thus smoke detectors are usually more effective than heat detectors, as well as being cheaper. Instructions on the best places to install alarms are included with the fitting instructions.

Fire extinguishers

It is very important that the correct type of extinguishers are installed for the type of fire likely to be encountered. Suppliers of fire extinguishing equipment will advise on what you need, and where they should be positioned in the building.

All new fire extinguishers are red. They have a coloured panel to indicate their contents, which could be:

Water (Red panel). Water extinguishers should be used on fires of wood, paper and textiles. They must not be used on electrical fires because of the danger of electrocution. Even if the electrical appliance is switched off, the use of water can make it dangerous when it is switched back on. Water should not be used on flammable liquid fires.

Foam (Cream panel). Foam is suitable for ‘contained’ flammable liquids in open vessels, for example in open drums, tanks and drip trays.

Foam is water based, and so should not be used on electrical fires.

Dry Powder (Blue panel). For use on flammable liquids that are either ‘contained’ or free flowing, and on electrical fires.

Carbon Dioxide (Black panel). Similar uses to dry powder, but with less messy results, so may be preferable for indoor use. Can be used to penetrate into motor casings via ventilation slots, and also switchboxes and vehicle engines. The extinguisher makes a loud noise when discharged.

All fire extinguishers should be easily accessible, in a designated space, and an appropriate safety sign displayed above which informs on the type of extinguisher available.

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