According to research from Hochiki Europe, the leading fire safety solutions manufacturer, one quarter (25 per cent) of European businesses are risking employee safety due to poor maintenance of their building’s fire or emergency lighting systems.
In a survey of European fire equipment installers, one third (34 per cent) also state that emergency lighting performance is not accurately monitored using a logbook in accordance with the law.
Similar levels of apathy to accurate logbook recordings were found in relation to fire safety efficiency with one third (33 per cent) of installers’ customers not possessing up to date fire detection records on site.
Legislation such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 dictates that all businesses adhere to prescriptive standards which comprise the quality of products adopted, maintenance of all safety systems and shared responsibility to protect the workforce.
Low adoption of technology
Despite the environmental and total cost of ownership benefits, only 15 per cent of installers’ customers use LED technology and just nine per cent have self-testing emergency lighting systems which can reduce valuable resource spent by businesses on maintenance.
To support businesses in accurate self-assessment of existing security equipment, Hochiki Europe has developed an online tool which quizzes the user on the performance status of a building’s current solution as well as providing guidance on methods of improving it.
David Brown, Product Manager at Hochiki Europe, said: “It is crucial that businesses do not fall short when it comes to the assessment and maintenance of safety provision which is designed to protect employees and prevent accidents that may not be legislated for.
“We’ve partnered with skilled installers to determine where businesses and their building owners can be better supported and developed a simple online tool which directs them to solutions that promote efficiency and optimum safety in accordance with the very latest regulations.”
Data from a representative sample of European fire and lighting system installers during January 2015.
For more information on Hochiki Europe please visit www.hochikieurope.com.
