Fire safety in offices standards, risks and prevention

Despite the fact that office premises seem less dangerous than industrial facilities, statistics show that fires in administrative buildings occur frequently and can lead to serious consequences, from loss of property to endangering the lives of employees.

📌 Legislative framework

The basic requirements for ensuring fire safety in offices are regulated:

• Federal Law No. 69-FZ “On Fire Safety”,
• Technical Regulations on Fire Safety Requirements (Federal Law No. 123-FZ),
• Fire safety regulations in the Russian Federation (Government Decree No. 1479 dated 09/16/2020).

The employer is obliged to ensure safe working conditions, including protection from fires, in accordance with Article 212 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation.

🔥 The main risks of fire in offices

The most common causes of fires in office buildings are:

• Short circuit due to overloading of the electrical network;
• Using faulty office equipment;
• Unattended electric heaters;
• Smoking in unidentified locations;
• Storage of combustible materials without compliance with regulations.

Despite the apparent safety, an office space is a space with a high concentration of electrical equipment and materials that are highly flammable: paper, furniture, plastic parts.

🧯 Fire safety measures

Each office is required to comply with minimum fire safety requirements:

1. Instructing and training employees on fire safety, including evacuation practices.
2. The presence of evacuation plans posted in prominent places.
3. Room equipment with fire extinguishing equipment: fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, and alerts.
4. Fire exits should always be free, not cluttered with furniture.
5. Regular check of the condition of electrical networks and equipment.
6. Appointment of a person responsible for fire safety in the organization.

It is also advisable to conclude a contract with a professional organization for the maintenance of fire protection systems.

🚨 Liability for violations

Administrative liability is provided for non—compliance with fire safety requirements, and in case of harm, criminal liability. In accordance with the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, fines for violating the rules can reach up to 500,000 rubles for legal entities.

 

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