Dental Practice Fire Risk Assessments
Dental Practices must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and keep it up to date. This shares the same approach as health and safety risk assessments and can be carried out either as part of an overall risk assessment or as a separate exercise.
Based on the findings of the assessment, you then need to ensure that adequate and appropriate fire safety measures are in place to minimise the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire.
To help prevent fire in the workplace, your risk assessment should identify what could cause a fire to start, i.e. sources of ignition (heat or sparks) and substances that burn, and the people who may be at risk.
Once you have identified the risks, you can take appropriate action to control them. Consider whether you can avoid them altogether or, if this is not possible, how you can reduce the risks and manage them. Also consider how you will protect people if there is a fire.
As a dental practice owner, you need to:
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Carry out a fire safety risk assessment
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Keep sources of ignition and flammable substances apart
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Ensure good housekeeping at all times
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Consider how to detect fires and how to warn people quickly if they start
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Have the correct fire-fighting equipment for putting a fire out quickly
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Keep fire exits and escape routes clearly marked and unobstructed at all times
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Ensure your staff receive appropriate training on procedures they need to follow, including fire drill
