The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is urging businesses that have reopened their doors, not to overlook fire safety and ensure it remains a top priority in the workplace.

The call comes as part of the National Fire Chiefs Council's (NFCC) Business Safety Week which runs from the 6th - 12th September. The  campaign aims to make businesses aware of their fire safety responsibilities, so they comply with legislation to keep both premises and occupants safe from fire.

Many businesses had to close their doors or change their ways of working due to the covid-19 pandemic. But as they have now reopened business owners and Responsible Persons (RPs) must review Fire Risk Assessments to reflect any changes they have made in response to the pandemic in the workplace. It's important that steps are taken to ensure staff are suitably trained, fire equipment is checked and maintained     and any covid secure measures do not compromise fire safety.

North Wales Fire and Resue Service can provide free help, advice and guidance to help and to minimise the risk of fire in the workplace.

For further advice contact your local Business Fire Safety team:

Conwy and Denbighshire – Conwy Area Office, Colwyn Bay Fire Station, Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay. LL29 8AB

Email: ConwyOffice@nwales-fireservice.org.uk

Telephone –  01745 355 450

Wrexham and Flintshire – AFSRC, Croesnewydd Road, Wrexham. LL13 7YU

Email:  Flintshire.Wrexham@nwales-fireservice.org.uk

Telephone – 01978 367870

Gwynedd and Môn – Caernarfon Fire Station, Llanberis Road, Caernarfon.

Email:  Gwyneddmonmailbox@nwales-fireservice.org.uk

Telephone – 01286 662999

The advice is available throughout the year, but the campaign week of action is encouraging  people not to delay reviewing fire safety.

Advice is also available to businesses on reducing the risk of arson by taking simple steps to protect premises. There were more than 4,700 deliberate fires in businesses in the UK in 2019-20 and most attacks are unplanned and opportunist crimes.

Fire services can also provide help in reducing false alarms in the workplace which often have an impact on business productivity. With around 44 per cent of fire service call outs in the UK being as a result of false alarms they increase pressure on fire service resources and time, both of which could be spent on dealing with genuine emergencies and community prevention and protection activities.

Mark Andrews. NFCC's Business Engagement Lead said:

"Fire services are committed to helping businesses get back to work so they can continue to make their valued contribution to the economy and local communities.

It has been such a challenging time, but fire can have a devastating impact on a business with many never recovering. But fire services are  able to provide help and guidance to reduce this fire risk and NFCC encourage them to get in touch with their local fire service for advice."