Fire Alarm Systems – What Price Safety?
Fire alarm systems play a critical role in health and safety in the workplace, but with more and more companies looking at ways to save money, planned installations, upgrades and maintenance are being postponed.
A recent poll by leading panel manufacturer Morley IAS found that just over 90% of the industry has experienced greater customer influence and pressure to help reduce costs.
The consequences of this are two fold; firstly for the industry itself and all those who play their part in the manufacture, distribution, installation and maintenance of fire alarm systems.
Secondly, the vast majority of employees within buildings which may be affected will have no idea that these cutbacks on fire safety have been made by their employers or landlords.
It was also found that cost is the most important factor for almost a third of those involved in fire alarm system decisions, whether it’s installation of a new system or routine maintenance checks.
Fire & Safety at Work
When making key decisions that affect workplace safety, employers and landlords have to be very careful that the fire safety provision they have in place still meets the required minimum legal standards.
Fire safety at work is one of those things that can be neglected or cut back on but this can have devastating consequences if a fire was to occur.
The Morley IAS survey also discovered that only 19% of decision makers regarded having the safest option as the most important factor in fire alarm systems provision.
