972 Hampshire businesses fail 2012 fire safety audit
A new report has revealed that two-thirds of businesses in the county of Hampshire failed a fire safety audit undertaken in 2012.
Safety Management (UK), an independent fire safety specialist based in Hampshire, compiled the shocking results after looking at which premises failed fire safety audits carried out by fire authorities in the last 12 months.
Of the 1,390 businesses inspected by fire chiefs, a total of 972 received an ‘unsatisfactory’ report. The exact details of why the businesses failed their inspections have not been revealed, but common problems in businesses include inadequate fire safety training, a lack of a working fire detection system and obstructed fire exits and escape routes.
Commenting on the results of the study was Brian Gregory, the managing director of Safety Management (UK). He said:
“Often business owners and managers feel that by having fire extinguishers in place and have a fire detection system in their building they are covered.
“But critically, unless the assessment is completed by a competent person, there is no guarantee that the fire detection is the right system for the building.
“Small businesses are feeling the pressure of the recession and they are looking to save money where they can, but putting fire safety to the bottom of their priorities is a false economy.”