Le 12 April 2019

Fire safety officer: what is their role?

The position of fire safety officer is very important because even if their time is mainly devoted to prevention, they must also ensure that the fire safety regulations are well respected within the building they are responsible for. A fire safety team is mandatory in establishments that can accommodate more than 1500 people.

Summary:

Missions
Equipment

Visibility
Comfort
Security

Responsible missions!

These high-traffic locations present a continuous fire risk. Regulations are very strict and the security officer's mission is to monitor installations such as fire extinguishers, alarms and fire doors for example.

They must anticipate any problem, to ensure that an evacuation can proceed as planned in any situation, for example. For this they check that the emergency exits are clear and that all signage is perfectly visible.

They can also have a trainer role in certain establishments. Staff do not always have knowledge in fire safety matters. Thanks to this training, risks related to fires decrease even further...

Finally, since zero risk does not exist, they are the first responder during an intervention. They will have the responsibility to evacuate the public from the establishment, to go to the fire site if conditions allow, to alert and guide emergency services but also to assist people.

Equipment adapted to the situation!

The uniform of a fire safety officer is easily recognizable. You have surely already seen these officers wearing navy blue pants with a reflective strip on the shins as well as a red top with a navy strip. This uniform was chosen for different reasons:

Visibility

Indeed, it is difficult to miss a fire safety officer with their red color and reflective strips! In case of emergency, any individual must be able to recognize a fire safety officer, so that the general public can follow the directives of the right people.

Comfort

The job of fire safety officer is not easy. They are very often on the move, which requires optimal comfort in terms of uniform. In addition, they may have to do rounds and travel outside. Since temperatures can be very low in certain seasons, they must have the ability to adapt their uniform. They can wear a simple t-shirt, a sweatshirt, a fleece and even a parka.

Security

The fire safety officer is exposed to risks during interventions. They must therefore also provide equipment that will protect them. The safety shoes are obviously essential. Exposure to fires can happen, which is why clothing made of Kermel and Viscose is important. These fabrics do not burn and maintain their mechanical properties. You can find this type of product on the online store www.vetsecurite.com.

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