Your staff may know where the exits are. Visitors, delivery drivers and contractors almost certainly do not. A short, consistent briefing on arrival helps people react correctly if the alarm sounds.
What to cover
- What the alarm sounds like and what to do when it goes off.
- The nearest exit and the way to the assembly point.
- Not to use lifts unless your plan says otherwise.
- Who the fire wardens are and who they should report to. See our guide on fire wardens.
- Rules for contractors: keep escape routes clear, tell you before covering detectors or cutting through walls, control hot work and take rubbish away daily. See our guide on hot work permits.
- Help for anyone who needs it, such as someone with a mobility, hearing or sight difficulty.
Make it easy to do
- Include a short fire notice on the sign-in sheet or visitor badge.
- Give the host or site contact responsibility for their visitor.
- Keep a signed list of who is on site so you can account for everyone.
- Record contractor briefings in your fire safety register.
Your duties
Under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, a person in control of premises must take reasonable measures to guard against fire and to protect people if one occurs. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 places wider duties on employers to manage workplace risks.
Talk to Safer Solutions
A fire risk assessment looks at your premises, your people and the way you work, and gives you a clear written action list. Call us on 086 275 9728 or email info@safersolutions.ie for a friendly, no-obligation chat. See our fire risk assessments in Ireland and our fire and legionella guides.