Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Equipment/environment 
User checks 
Formal visual inspection 
Combined inspection and testing
Battery operated (less than 20 volts) 
No 
No 
No
Extra low voltage (less than 50 volts 
AC): e.g. telephone equipment, low 
voltage desk lights 
No 
No 
No
Information technology: e.g. desktop
No 
Yes, 2–4 years 
No if double insulated – otherwise
computers, VDU screens 
up to 5 years
Photocopiers, fax machines: NOT
No 
Yes, 2–4 years 
No if double insulated – otherwise
handheld. Rarely moved 
up to 5 years
Double insulated equipment: NOT
No 
Yes, 2–4 years 
No
handheld. Moved occasionally, 
e.g. fans, table lamps, slide projectors
Double insulated equipment: handheld,
Yes 
Yes, 6 months–1 year 
No
e.g. some fl oor cleaners
Earthed equipment (Class 1):
Yes 
Yes, 6 months–1 year 
Yes, 1–2 years
e.g. electric kettles, some fl oor cleaners
Cables (leads) and plugs connected to 
Yes 
Yes, 6 months–4 years 
Yes, 1–5 years depending on the
the above. 
depending on the type of 
type of equipment it is connected to
Extension leads (mains voltage) 
equipment it is connected to
Table 8.2
Summary the HSE’s guidance on the type and frequency of inspections and tests for portable electrical appli-
ances in offi ces and hotels, etc.
Figure 8.14
Gas cooking installation showing fi xed fi re 
fi ghting equipment

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Introduction to Fire Safety Management
150
by a qualifi ed competent engineer in line with the 
manufacturer’s or installer’s maintenance scheme.
8.4.3 Naked lights and fl ames
Avoiding the use of naked fl ame within the workplace 
is the most effective way of managing fi re risks from 
this source. Replacing hot work and fl ame generating 
devices such as oxy-fuel equipment must be seen as 
the fi rst step in signifi cantly reducing the risks from this 
area. In relation to practical operations the use of com-
pression plumbers’ fi ttings as opposed to the soldered 
fi ttings is a good example of where such replacement 
negates the risk entirely.
Where the use of naked fl ames cannot be avoided, 
formal operating procedures, safe systems of work, 
additional levels of supervision and adequate levels of 
regular formal monitoring may serve to reduce the risk.
The burning of rubbish in the workplace or on a 
construction site should be avoided at all costs both 
in so far as the fi re risks inherent with the operation 
but also to ensure compliance with the Environmental 
Protection Act which requires management of omissions 
into the atmosphere.
A risk assessment as to the requirements for higher 
heat emitting lighting units such as halogen lamps 
should be undertaken prior to their procurement. If such 
units are required, control measures including limiting 
their use to the confi nes of areas that do not have 
combustible materials or fl ammable vapours present, 
should be considered.
Ensuring that higher risk lighting is subject to 
planned preventive maintenance, particularly items such 
as their retaining hinges and brackets, will ensure that 
the units remain upright and away from surfaces which 
could catch fi re.