Fire training in companies: what regulations ?
Within a company, the employer is required to ensure the safety of employees and visitors at all times. This obligation implies the implementation of fire prevention measures and a training dedicated to the staff. In this way, employees will master the equipment to be used and the correct actions to take in the event of a fire.
In addition, these instructions must be regularly reminded.
Which category of employees must be trained in fire safety in their company ?
The fire training in the company is mandatory for any structure with more than 50 employees. On the other hand, it is systematically required in all activities involving the handling of flammable or explosive elements. The underlined points vary slightly for these particular cases.
Nevertheless, the objective of the course remains the same, to how to control the start of a fire and evacuate personnel.
The employer must train all employees to fire safety in the workplace. This obligation is listed in the Labour Code. Thus, all team members will be able to react efficiently in case of smoke or fire.
Once trained, employees will be able to slow down the spread of fire, facilitate evacuation and facilitate the action of outside help.
However, the content of the course is not necessarily the same for all categories of employees. All employees will be trained in basic maneuvers and fire extinguisher handling. Additional instructions will then be given to the evacuation team chosen during the training.
The safety officers will also have their own program.
How does a fire training course take place in a company? ?
The corporate fire training usually takes place in two parts. Initially, the trainers will cover the basics of the security system how fires work. They present here the ways in which fire spreads, the existing extinguishing means, the smoke extraction hatches, the safety instructions to be followed, etc.
The participants will meanwhile be informed of the major roles in the risk prevention. At this stage, the evacuation team will be selected from the trainees. The training will then go on with the explanation of the function of the guide, of the fire warden, of the first and second intervention team member..
The second part of the course will be dedicated to the practical. Evacuation exercises will be carried out taking into account the roles of the different participants chosen previously. Employees will also learn to how to use a fire extinguisher.
If the conditions are favourable, they can carry out simulations with a controlled fire. This is an interesting way to prepare for the start of work.
Who can do fire training ?
There is currently a myriad of actors offering fire training services fire training in the company. The mandatory training of personnel can be provided by a PPE trainer (first intervention team member) or SST (health and safety at work).
On the other hand, only specialized establishments can offer fire training courses SSIAP training (fire safety and personal assistance service). The SSIAP 1 to 3 are, moreover, the same as the SSIAP 2 to 3 diplomas issued by the fire department. In case of doubt, the employer can contact theINRS (National Research and Safety Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases).
Professional associations can also recommend companies that are more adapted to the specificities of their activities. To identify these particularities, the company manager should consult the regulations and reference texts to ensure the protection of people. He will thus know the standards to be respected for each type of installation and infrastructure (ERP, ICPE, IGH…).
