Fire safety officers help keep businesses safe from fire as customers welcomed back

To help hospitality businesses prepare to welcome customers back indoors from 17th May, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s (GMFRS) fire safety officers have been engaging with businesses across the city-region to keep them safe from fire.

Dedicated teams visited bars and pubs across the 10 boroughs in Greater Manchester during the week 10th to 14th May, offering fire safety advice as venues prepared to welcome back customers from Monday. The local fire service is reminding businesses to ensure their fire risk assessments are up-to-date with any changes brought about by implementing Covid-safe practices.

In particular GMFRS’ officers have highlighted that businesses ensure fire safety equipment remains properly maintained and regularly tested, especially after an extended closure. There may also be changes in risk levels due to the pandemic, such as increased waste, storage or stock levels that need to be considered in an updated risk assessment.

GMFRS also raised concerns that many businesses are leaving emergency fire doors wedged open as a way of making premises more Covid-safe, for example, to reduce contact with surfaces, facilitate a one-way system or to increase ventilation.

Further information and resources to ensure a business’ fire safety is available from the GMFRS website with advice now including a new guide for the hospitality sector.