A Quick Fire Safety Checklist
Most businesses don’t think about fire safety until something prompts them to: a near miss, a BWOF renewal reminder, or a new staff member asking where the fire exits are.
The problem is that gaps in fire preparedness usually go unnoticed until they matter most.
The good news is that a fire safety self-check doesn’t need to be complicated. Below is a simple run-through you can do today, covering the basics every Northland or Auckland business should have sorted.
Are your Emergency Exits Clear?
Escape routes need to be obvious, unobstructed, and easy to reach at all times - not just when you’re expecting an inspection.
Stacked stock, parked pallets, or a chair left in a corridor can all turn a quick exit into a dangerous delay. Under the NZ Building Code’s escape route and signage requirements, exits also need to be clearly signed so people can find their way out, even in smoke or low visibility.
If you’ve ever thought twice about which door leads where or if your hallways are stacked with supplies, it’s worth reviewing your emergency signage and clearing blocked routes.
Are your Fire Extinguishers Accessible and In Date?
A fire extinguisher tucked behind boxes, mounted too high, or missing its signage isn’t much use in an emergency.
Under NZS 4503:2005, all portable fire extinguishers need an inspection every 12 months, plus a quick monthly check by you to make sure the gauge is in the green, the extinguisher is in its correct spot with appropriate signage, and there’s nothing blocking access to it.
Extinguishers are also considered expired five years from manufacture and will need a full service or replacement at that point. If it’s been a while since anyone’s checked your fire extinguishers, Fireco’s equipment servicing can get you back on track.
Are your Fire Alarms Serviced?
Your fire alarm’s job is to give people early warning during an emergency, but it can only do that if the system is in good condition.
Detectors can become dirty or faulty over time, and if your fire alarm is a specified system under your compliance schedule, it needs regular inspection and testing by a qualified provider like Fireco to keep it compliant and performing as it should. Skipping fire alarm servicing doesn’t just risk your safety - it also puts your BWOF renewal at risk.
Trust Fireco’s fire alarm services for expert installation, testing and ongoing maintenance in Northland and Auckland.
Does your Staff Know What to do in an Emergency?
Equipment only helps if people know how to use it and where to go.
This means staff should know their nearest exit and assembly point, understand the basics of raising the alarm, and know whether extinguishers or fire blankets are something they’re expected to use. Check that everyone knows this information too, not just your fire wardens.
For many workplaces, appointing and training fire wardens is also part of a formal evacuation scheme, so it’s worth checking your wardens are still up to date and that everyone knows who they are.
Is your Workplace Free from Everyday Fire Hazards?
Many workplace fires start with ordinary things left in the wrong place: cardboard piled near a heater, oily rags in a corner, or flammable liquids stored without a second thought.
Under NZ fire safety regulations, flammable materials need to be kept in non-combustible containers with close-fitting lids, and kept well clear of escape routes.
It’s worth a quick walk-through every so often to check nothing’s crept into a corridor, stairwell, or electrical cupboard that shouldn’t be there.
Bonus Check: Are your Compliance Records in Order?
If your building has specified systems such as alarms, sprinklers or emergency lighting, your BWOF depends on all of them being inspected and reported on for the previous 12 months.
Missing paperwork here can hold up your renewal even if the equipment itself is fine - but Fireco’s IQP network and BWOF support services can help keep your compliance schedule on track.
Your Quick Fire Safety Check:
- Exits are clear and clearly signed
- Extinguishers are accessible, in date, and inspected in the last 12 months
- Fire alarms are tested and serviced on schedule
- Emergency lighting has passed its monthly and six-monthly checks
- Staff know their evacuation route, assembly point and basic emergency actions
- Flammable materials are stored safely
- BWOF and compliance schedule documentation is up to date
If you ticked every box, that’s a great sign your business is genuinely fire-ready, not just compliant on paper. If a few of these gave you pause, that’s a normal starting point, and it’s a straightforward one to fix.
Fireco supports businesses across Northland and Auckland with fire alarm servicing, extinguisher supply and maintenance, emergency lighting checks, and full BWOF and IQP support.
If you’d like a professional set of eyes on any of the above, get in touch with our team.
