You might not realise, but hybrid working affects fire safety within your organisation.
The Summer also increases risk factors. In our latest news article, we take a look at how hybrid working affects fire safety in the commercial sector so you don’t fall foul of the dangers.
As summer rolls in, there can be a tendency for more of us to enjoy more flexible working arrangements, combining remote and in-office work and while this new way of working has its perks, there is no doubt that hybrid working affects fire safety.
Here at Saracen Fire Protection, we want to help you stay safe whether you’re team are working from home or at the office (especially as during these warmer months fire risks can increase anyway).
So, let’s take a look at the ways hybrid working affects fire safety:
1. Extra Electrical Load at Home
With hybrid working, there’s often more strain on home electrical systems. Come summer, you might be running fans or AC units along with your regular office gear. This extra load can overload circuits, which can be a fire hazard. What You Can Do: Make sure your home office setup is safe. Use surge protectors and avoid overloading extension cords. We can help with a fire risk assessment for employees working from home to ensure everything’s in check.
2. Unattended Office Equipment
In hybrid setups, office spaces might be empty for longer periods. This can lead to equipment being left on, increasing the risk of overheating, especially during summer when offices might be emptier due to summer holidays. What You Can Do: Have clear protocols for shutting down and unplugging equipment when it’s not in use. Regular maintenance checks by professionals can keep your fire safety systems ready to go.
3. Slower Response Times
Fewer people in the office mean it might take longer to notice and respond to fires. This issue gets worse in summer when many employees are on holiday. What You Can Do: Enhance your fire detection systems with reliable fire alarms and
emergency lighting (We can help by installing and maintaining these systems to ensure your office is always protected).
4. Embrace Flexibility with Fire Safety in Mind
Hybrid working offers great flexibility and a better work-life balance but it’s important to stay aware of how hybrid working affects fire safety and the risks that come with it, especially in summer. What can you do: Partnering with a professional fire consultation like Saracen Fire Protection ensures that your office and home environments are safe and compliant with fire safety regulations.
Our fire risk assessments are perfect for ensuring that hybrid working affects fire safety as minimally as possible and you are taking all the actions possible to reduce the risks.
Get in touch with us today to learn how to minimise the impact of hybrid working on your fire safety this summer.
Saracen Fire Protection – your local fire protection experts.
With over 30 years of experience and a growing number of highly satisfied customers, in terms of service and savings, Saracen Fire Protection is one of the leading fire protection and security supply, and maintenance businesses; locally and nationally. We provide a comprehensive online service portal to ensure our clients have 24/7 access to all of their fire and security information. We are fully accredited and our engineers are highly skilled and qualified.