2023 Guide to Fire Safety Equipment in the Workplace

There are many different kinds of equipment for Fire Safety that are used in the workplace. Each kind of equipment is designed specifically for use in a specific class of fire and environment. If you’re wondering which equipment for Fire Safety you need take a look at the following equipment.

The first step in planning for Fire Safety would be to prepare an Emergency Response Plan. An Emergency Response Plan would help you to understand which emergencies and equipment are relevant to you. Our team is available to help with an Emergency Response Plan.

Equipment for Workplace Fire Safety can include:

Fire Warden identification is essential in the event of an emergency to help personnel in your workplace to be evacuated safely. Fire Wardens have authority in the event of an emergency which helps them to fulfil their duties, however without clear identification their authority may be questioned which can lead to slower evacuation. Clear identification helps to keep evacuees from panicking and shows them who to look to for guidance. Fire Warden identification gear includes:

• Fire Warden Caps
• Fire Warden Hats
• Fire Warden Vests
• Fire Warden Tabbards
• Fire Warden Kits

For a more in depth look at Fire Warden identification read our guide on Fire Warden roles or Fire Warden Identification

There are many classes of fire extinguisher designed to help control a small fire before it spreads. Each class has a different chemical agent designed to suit a specific kind of fire. The chemical agents can include:

• Water
• Foam
• Dry powder
• CO2
• and wet chemical

Though not often thought of as fire equipment, First Aid Kits are an essential piece of equipment for fire safety. It is essential to have First Aid Kits on hand for any injuries that may be sustained in the event of and aftermath of a fire. First Aid Kits are also required to be provided by law for the good of your employees. We have a large and easy to understand range of First Aid Kits.

They included:

• Compact First Aid Kit – suitable for 1 Person
• R1 Vehicle First Aid Kit – suitable for 1-10 people
• R2 Workplace First Aid Kit – suitable for 1-25 people
• R3 Workplace Pro First Aid Kit – suitable for 1-50 people
• R4 Workplace Medic First Aid Kit – suitable for 1-50 people

Fire blankets are designed to extinguish class F fires by smothering. Class F fires involve cooking oils and fats and are generally in kitchen environments.

Fire hose reels are for extinguishing class A fires which include fire fuelled by paper, wood, rubber and other non-conductive fuels. As Fire Hose Reels use water to extinguish the fire they are not suitable for electrical fires. Electrical fires are generally fought with CO2 extinguishers. AS 2441-2005 relates to the installation of Fire Hose Reels whilst AS 1851-2012 relates to the maintenance of Fire Hose Reels.

All fire equipment should have Fire Signage. This helps to identify what class of fire the equipment is for. and identifies the location of the fire fighting equipment in case of an emergency. There is a range of regulations involved when it comes to fire signage. The Australian Standard and any relevant laws would be the guide as to where signage should be located and what signage to use. AS 1851-2012 can be used to check the compliance of Fire Signage. Fire Signage is also mentioned in AS 2441-2005 and AS 2941-2013.

Fire signage can include:

• Fire Warden are signs
• First Aid Officers are signs
• Fire Extinguisher signs
• Fire Hose Reel Signs

Communication equipment is essential to clearly communicate emergency evacuation procedures and instructions before and during an emergency. There are many kinds of communication equipment and these can include:

• Megaphones and loud hailers for clear and concise communications to personnel being evacuated
• Air horns and Whistles used for getting the attention of personnel and for raising the alarm during an emergency by a prearranged signal
• Walkie talkies and two way radios for communication between members of the Emergency Control Organization to give progress updates and pass messages
• Evacuation Diagram Holders to hold Emergency Diagrams to aid in safe evacuation of the area by showing clearly the evacuation routes.
• Emergency Procedure Flip Charts to communicate to Fire Warden the procedures for each type of emergency. (eg. Bomb Threat, Fire, Medical Emergency, Armed Holdup).

Essential during an evacuation, Emergency Exit Signage helps keep people calm and moving in an orderly fashion towards the Emergency Assembly Point. They will help the Fire Wardens to evacuate the building when the flames are out of control by providing a preset path to follow. Emergency Exit lighting needs to be maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 2293.1-2018. Maintenance of Emergency Exit Lighting should be recorded in a logbook.

Fire sprinkler systems have a number of Australians Standards that relate to them. The following standards should be consulted for help with design, installation and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems.

• AS 2118.1-2017 Automatic fire sprinkler systems General systems
• AS 2118.6-2012 Automatic fire sprinkler systems Combined sprinkler and hydrant systems in multi-storey buildings
• AS 1670.1-2018 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation and commissioning Fire
• AS 1905.2-2005 Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls Fire-resistant door sets

Think of Smoke Alarms as the early detection system. Keeping watch when personnel may not be there to see the fire break out, Smoke Alarms will raise the alarm that something isn’t quite right. Smoke alarms should be installed in every building, look to your state authority and the Australian Standard for guidance as to where and how to install these. AS 7240 series of standards are the relevant Standards for Smoke Alarms.

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