Call 133 166

Assess fire protection needs accurately - Wormald

If a fire occurs, being adequately prepared will help to minimise fire damage to people and property.
However, according to fire protection specialist Wormald, many companies continue to make simple
mistakes which can affect their level of fire protection.

Fire protection equipment & systems
"Having basic fire protection equipment is essential for a business or facility of any size, but it is
important that the correct fire protection equipment is in place", says Garry Kwok, National Technical
Services Manager at Wormald. "For example a water fire extinguisher should never be used on an
electrical switchboard; electrical fires are best treated with powder or carbon dioxide extinguishers."
"Carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the premises will help identify potential fire hazards
and help determine the fire protection solution required - whether it is a basic fire extinguisher or fire
hose reel, a fire sprinkler system, a passive fire solution or a more advanced fire detection and
suppression system."

Wormald's range of fire suppression systems includes the VanQuish™ system, a 'dry' system
specifically designed for cold storage facilities and the environmentally-friendly Inergen® gaseous fire
suppression system, which is suitable for data centres and facilities housing mission critical
equipment.

Staff training
In addition to having the correct fire protection equipment in place staff members, particularly those
assigned to a company's fire safety team, should be fully briefed and trained on what to do in the
event of a fire. According to Kwok, fire wardens have a considerable amount of responsibility for the
wellbeing of a building's occupants but they are often unaware of the full extent of their duties.
"Basic fire safety training should be provided to all staff and it is important that each staff member is
aware of the various classes of fire and the appropriate fire equipment to be used for each. Fire
wardens should be fully trained on their responsibilities, fire equipment and the emergency warning
and communication systems in their premises."

Signage
Providing appropriate signage is also essential to denote the proper use of fire equipment. Kwok
continues, "It is very important that wherever a fire extinguisher or other fire safety equipment is
located, the correct signage is provided so a user knows exactly what it should be used for. It is
equally important that fire exit signs are in place so that, in the event of an evacuation, people can be
directed to escape potential danger quickly."

Servicing and maintenance
Kwok also advises that regular servicing and maintenance of fire equipment and fire protection systems are essential to help ensure that they will work appropriately if and when required. "Well maintained fire systems can help to save lives and property", he says. In addition to providing a broad range of fire protection equipment and solutions, Wormald also offers a number of fire safety training courses. For further information on Wormald's services, call 133 166 or visit www.wormald.com.au.

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