Effective fire protection in everyday life: safety for buildings and businesses

Fire safety officer: Essential for safe operation in companies

In many federal states, the appointment of a fire safety officer is required by law and is specified in the respective building regulations. The appointment of a fire safety officer is particularly important in hospitals, large retail outlets and industrial buildings, as these buildings pose an increased risk due to the high number of people present.

The competent building authority may also require that a fire safety officer be appointed for special buildings. In addition, fire insurance companies take into account whether a company has appointed a qualified fire safety officer when setting insurance premiums.

Duties and responsibilities of the fire safety officer

A fire safety officer is a specially trained person appointed in writing by the employer to monitor fire safety in the workplace. Their job is to advise and support the employer in all matters relating to fire safety, to monitor compliance with fire safety regulations and to assess potential fire hazards.

In order to perform this responsible task effectively, in-depth specialist knowledge is essential. A well-trained fire safety officer contributes significantly to safety in the company and minimises the risk of fires.

Advantages of an external fire safety officer

The appointment of an external fire safety officer brings numerous advantages that can significantly improve fire safety in companies:

• Employees can concentrate on their main tasks:
  Outsourcing fire safety responsibilities frees up internal capacities.
• No displacement of fire protection by other activities:
  Fire protection is monitored continuously and with focus, without being overshadowed by other operational tasks.
• Avoidance of operational blindness:
  An external expert brings an objective view of the fire protection situation in the company and identifies potential risks more quickly.
• High level of fire safety expertise:
  External fire safety officers usually have specialised and up-to-date expertise that is often not available to the same extent internally.
• Ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations:
  Having an external expert on board ensures that all legal requirements and regulations are always correctly implemented.

Conclusion:
Appointing a fire safety officer – whether internal or external – is an essential step in comprehensively protecting a company against fire hazards. An external fire safety officer can be particularly valuable in this regard thanks to their independence, expertise and efficiency, and can make a decisive contribution to fire safety.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Customised fire protection concepts for construction projects: combining safety and cost-effectiveness

Every construction project requires a tailor-made fire protection concept or comprehensive fire protection certification as part of the approval process. The main focus here is on successfully mediating between the interests of the building owner and the legal and official requirements. A well-thought-out fire protection concept is essential to ensure the safety of a building and its users.

When is a fire protection concept required?

The creation of a fire protection concept is particularly necessary in the following cases:

• Deviation from building regulations:
  This may be the case, for example, if a building is to be used for a purpose other than that originally intended.
• Special types of buildings and uses (special structures):
  These include industrial buildings, sports stadiums, assembly halls, hospitals and similar buildings which, due to their complexity, have special fire protection requirements.

Consideration of state-specific requirements

Due to Germany’s federal structure, state-specific building regulations must always be observed when developing a fire protection concept. In some federal states, such as North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the fire protection concept must be drawn up by a state-approved expert. In other cases, specialist fire protection planners, civil engineers or specially trained experts can also take on this task.

HSE-Ingenieure GmbH: Your partner for tailor-made fire protection concepts

HSE-Ingenieure GmbH, in cooperation with a comprehensive network of experts, offers you the creation of an economically viable and tailor-made fire protection concept. In doing so, we attach great importance to protecting the interests of the building owner while efficiently fulfilling official requirements.

Our services include:

• Development of a customised fire protection concept for your construction project
• Ensuring compliance with all legal and building regulations
• Consideration of economic conditions
• Coordination with the approval authorities to ensure smooth building approval

With our expertise, we strike the ideal balance between safety, cost-effectiveness and regulatory requirements. Trust HSE-Ingenieure GmbH to put your construction project on a secure footing in terms of fire safety.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Fire safety assessments: Decision-making aids for building owners and planners

The fire safety assessment of specific circumstances plays a key role, particularly when these circumstances fall outside the scope of a comprehensive fire safety concept or are required as necessary fire safety evidence within the framework of a simplified building permit procedure in accordance with Section 64 of the BauO NRW (Building Regulations of North Rhine-Westphalia). In such cases, fire safety statements provide valuable guidance for builders, planners and contractors.

Significance of fire safety statements

Fire safety statements serve as an important decision-making aid for addressing specific issues that may arise in the course of a construction project. They help to clarify individual fire safety aspects without the need for a complete fire safety concept. In addition, they are an indispensable basis for ensuring that fire safety regulations are complied with in the context of a simplified building permit procedure.

Areas of application

• Specific circumstances:
  For construction projects where only certain areas or issues require fire safety inspection.
• Simplified building permit procedure in accordance with Section 64 of the North Rhine-Westphalia Building Regulations (BauO NRW):
  For projects in North Rhine-Westphalia that fall under this regulation, a fire safety assessment is often required instead of a comprehensive fire safety concept.
• Assessment of individual fire protection issues:
  They provide a detailed analysis and decision-making aid for specific fire protection issues that arise during planning or construction.

Advantages of fire protection statements

• Cost efficiency:
  Instead of creating a complete fire protection concept, a targeted fire protection statement can save costs while still covering the necessary requirements.
• Faster decision-making:
  The precise assessment of individual issues speeds up the planning process and provides clear guidelines for implementation.
• Legal certainty:
  They provide a reliable basis for ensuring that all fire protection regulations are met, which gives both builders and planners a high degree of legal certainty.

HSE-Ingenieure GmbH: Your experts for fire safety assessments

HSE-Ingenieure GmbH supports you in preparing fire safety assessments that are specifically tailored to your individual needs and the requirements of your construction project. Thanks to our many years of experience and our network of experts, we guarantee you sound and reliable advice so that you can build safely and efficiently.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Fire safety regulations: Rules of conduct in case of emergency and for fire prevention

Fire safety regulations are an essential summary of specific rules of conduct for fire safety that are binding for all persons in a building or business. They regulate behaviour in the event of a fire as well as measures for fire prevention and have the same status as house rules or general terms and conditions.

Tasks and purpose of fire safety regulations

Fire safety regulations serve to establish clear and structured rules that must be followed in everyday life and in emergencies. They ensure that everyone inside a building or business knows how to act correctly in the event of a fire and how to prevent fires through preventive measures.

Legal requirements for fire safety regulations

In Germany, different building regulations may apply depending on the federal state, which specify requirements for fire safety regulations. One example of this is the Special Building Regulations (SbauVO), which set out specific fire safety requirements for special buildings such as hospitals, places of assembly or industrial buildings. In addition to fire safety regulations, fire brigade plans and regular training for employees may also be required.

Furthermore, fire safety requirements may arise from the respective building permit or business licence for the property. Compliance with these requirements is crucial to ensure the safe operation of the building.

DIN 14096: Standardised structure and design of fire safety regulations

A structure and design of fire safety regulations that is recognised as suitable is specified in DIN 14096. This standard defines the minimum requirements for content and structure to ensure that the fire safety regulations are comprehensible and comprehensive. It is divided into three parts:

• Part A:
  Rules of conduct for all persons in the building (e.g. visitors, customers)
• Part B:
  Rules of conduct for persons with special tasks (e.g. employees)
• Part C:
  Rules of conduct for fire safety officers and specialists

Compliance with DIN 14096 ensures that fire safety regulations are clear, comprehensive and tailored to the specific needs of the building or business.

HSE-Ingenieure GmbH: Your partner for the creation of fire safety regulations

HSE-Ingenieure GmbH supports you in the creation and implementation of tailor-made fire safety regulations that meet the legal requirements and the individual circumstances of your property. Our experienced team ensures that all necessary measures for fire prevention and compliance with the rules of conduct in the event of a fire are communicated in a clear and practical manner.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Training of fire safety assistants: Effective protection for companies

Every employer is obliged to train a sufficient number of employees in the use of fire extinguishing equipment through expert instruction and practical exercises and to appoint them as fire safety assistants. This ensures that incipient fires can be fought quickly and without risk to themselves, and enables employees to leave the building independently in an emergency.

On construction sites, this obligation applies exclusively to stationary construction site facilities such as construction offices, accommodation and workshops (see ASR A2.2 Section 7(1)).

Number of fire safety assistants: Depends on the risk assessment

The necessary number of fire safety assistants is determined by the company’s risk assessment. In the case of normal fire risk, such as in office use, a proportion of 5% of employees is usually sufficient (according to ASR A2.2). However, depending on the type of company, the fire risk, the concentration of valuables and the number of people present (employees, visitors, people with reduced mobility), higher training quotas may be required.

Particularly in companies with shift work or frequent absences of individual employees (due to holidays, illness, staff changes), the number of trained fire safety assistants must be adjusted to ensure safety at all times.

Tailor-made fire safety assistant training by HSE-Ingenieure GmbH

HSE-Ingenieure GmbH offers comprehensive in-house training for fire safety assistants. This training includes a theoretical and practical part that is specifically tailored to the individual needs of your company. This ensures that your employees are optimally prepared for an emergency.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Escape and rescue plans in accordance with Section 4 of the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV)

In accordance with Section 4 of the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV), every employer is obliged to draw up an escape and rescue plan for the workplace if the location, size or type of use of the workplace so requires. These requirements serve to ensure the safety of all employees and help them to leave the premises safely and quickly in an emergency.

The general requirements of the Workplace Ordinance are defined in more detail in the Technical Rule for Workplaces – ASR A2.3 ‘Escape routes, emergency exits, escape and rescue plan’. This rule specifies how escape and rescue routes and emergency exits must be designed and signposted to ensure smooth evacuation in an emergency.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Fire brigade plans: Important information in the event of a fire

In the event of a fire, fire brigade plans provide the fire brigade with crucial information about the fire protection infrastructure and possible sources of danger within the building while they are still on their way to the scene. These plans are essential for enabling emergency services to gain quick and effective access.

Depending on country-specific building regulations, fire brigade plans may be required for buildings. This depends on the type, use and size of the building. Due to their growing importance, fire brigade plans are often required for special buildings that are not covered by special building regulations as part of the building permit process.

DIN 14095 defines the requirements for the content, colour and graphic design, and scope of fire brigade plans in the property description. However, some fire brigades deviate from the specifications of DIN 14095 in terms of colour design, symbols and completeness of content.

HSE-Ingenieure GmbH creates customised fire brigade plans for your company in close consultation with the responsible fire brigade and in accordance with DIN 14095. This ensures that all relevant requirements are met and that emergency services are optimally informed in the event of an emergency.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

First aid instructions in accordance with Section 24 (5) DGUV Regulation 1 ‘Principles of Prevention’

According to Section 24 (5) DGUV Regulation 1 ‘Principles of Prevention’, the entrepreneur or employer is obliged to ensure that insured persons are provided with first aid instructions. These instructions must be available in the form of notices from the accident insurance provider or in another suitable written form. They must contain the following information, among other things:

• Emergency numbers
• First aid facilities and rescue facilities on site
• Details of first aid personnel
• Information about doctors and hospitals to be consulted

The above information and details must be kept up to date at all times so that action can be taken quickly in an emergency and the safety of employees can be ensured.

Building safety and fire protection: A must for companies, owners and investors

Companies, owners and investors are obliged to ensure that their buildings comply with current legal requirements in terms of design, operation and structural condition. Regular inspections and compliance with fire protection and safety regulations are of crucial importance in this regard.

HSE-Ingenieure GmbH supports you in identifying deficiencies in structural, technical and organisational fire protection. Through regular follow-up inspections, the documentation is continuously updated and the identified deficiencies are effectively remedied. An essential part of our work is to compare the target and actual status in order to clearly and transparently show the progress made in rectifying deficiencies.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Thorough inventory for occupational safety, fire protection and environmental protection

The inventory is the most important method for obtaining a comprehensive overview of the company or building on site. It should always be carried out thoroughly and in a structured manner. In addition to technical support, it is advisable to consult an internal contact person who is familiar with daily routines and technical equipment in order to provide detailed information if necessary.

HSE-Ingenieure GmbH offers a detailed inventory of the company, building and equipment in the areas of occupational safety, fire protection and environmental protection.

The results of the inventory, such as technical data, number and condition of the systems, are recorded in writing and supplemented with images. The focus is on identifying deficiencies and providing solution-oriented advice in order to identify and implement optimisation potential.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Efficient support for cost savings through targeted needs analyses

In order to achieve cost savings in your company, well-organised support tailored to your individual needs is essential. Our needs analyses help you to evaluate your company’s situation in terms of occupational health and safety, fire protection and environmental protection (HSE: Health, Safety, Environment).

Based on the results of the analysis, we develop a tailor-made concept that is precisely tailored to your requirements and addresses the areas where your previous measures have reached their limits. In this way, we identify the causes of planning errors and deviations in operational processes and help you to make targeted optimisations.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Effective fire safety management: Greater safety for your company

According to legal provisions, employers or company management are responsible for fire safety in the workplace. It is therefore advisable to integrate fire safety as an integral part of corporate objectives and philosophy.

Major fire damage is often caused by a combination of organisational or technical deficiencies that appear harmless on their own but can trigger a chain reaction under certain circumstances. Against this backdrop, fire safety in the workplace is becoming increasingly important beyond the measures required by law. Many companies are therefore increasingly seeking support in setting up a functioning fire safety management system.

For successful fire protection management, it is essential to link it to other management systems, such as occupational health and safety or quality management in accordance with ISO 9000ff. Changes and expansions in company processes should always include fire protection management in order to continuously ensure safety standards.

In addition to public law regulations, operational standards and cross-industry specifics are also taken into account. Risk management and hazard analysis in particular play a central role in the planning, organisation and implementation of technical, organisational and defensive fire protection measures.

Our services in the field of fire protection management:

• Creation of a legal basis for fire protection
• Complete documentation and access to relevant documents
• Involvement of authorities and property insurers
• Positioning of fire protection management within the company
• Creation and maintenance of fire protection log and fire protection file
• Information on criminal law and liability consequences
• Fundamentals of an integrated management system
• Optimisation of processes in fire protection management
• Fire and occupational safety organisation
• Planning and tendering for fire protection equipment
• Inventory and risk assessment
• Review of building permit procedures
• Planning technical, organisational and defensive fire protection measures
• Communication techniques in fire protection

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Preventive fire protection: Safety through trained fire safety officers

Damage-free and smooth operations are crucial to the economic success of a company. Preventive fire protection is a key component of this. The work of a fire safety officer (FSO) plays an important role here.

After a week of training, the fire safety officer acquires basic knowledge of structural, technical and organisational fire protection. However, fire safety officers are often left to their own devices with this basic knowledge and are faced with a multitude of complex tasks.

In order to identify industry-specific hazards and fire risks at an early stage and to take effective protective measures, continuous further training of fire safety officers is essential.

We, HSE-Ingenieure GmbH, offer practice-oriented further training for fire safety officers directly at your company. Our training plan is individually tailored to your industry and specific needs in order to make preventive fire protection effective.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Technical due diligence: comprehensive assessment of real estate and facilities

Whether office buildings, residential buildings, industrial or commercial facilities – all must be in proper condition at all times. Technical due diligence offers a comprehensive assessment through inspection services, expert analyses and neutral evaluations of real estate and technical facilities.

This comprehensive assessment provides owners, users, operators and investors with a clear overview of the current condition of their portfolio. This includes recording maintenance requirements, evaluating operating costs and making suggestions for optimising operating costs.

A key component of this analysis is the inspection of safety equipment, in particular fire protection. Fire protection measures are checked for compliance with current laws and requirements. This identifies potential risks, such as contaminated sites, calculates the associated costs and suggests improvements.

In addition, the building and approval status of the structures is assessed and documented, with any costs for necessary measures being disclosed.

The properties concerned are comprehensively checked for compliance with all relevant country-specific health, safety and environmental guidelines.

Our customers receive detailed instructions on which areas need to be revised immediately in accordance with legal requirements and which areas require more in-depth examination.

Our team of experts also analyses the occupational health and safety and fire protection requirements for a wide range of facilities.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Fire safety training: Health and safety at work

Employers are legally obliged to provide their employees with regular and appropriate training on health and safety at work (Section 12 (1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act). This training must take place during working hours and without any reduction in pay.

The initial training forms the basis for all further training and teaches the basic rules of occupational safety. It must be carried out when new employees are hired, when there are changes in the scope of duties, and when new work equipment or technologies are introduced. Regular repetition of the training is required, but the Occupational Safety and Health Act does not specify fixed intervals for repetition. The intervals are based on operational requirements and the risk assessment.

However, some special occupational safety regulations and accident prevention regulations (UVV) require specific time periods: for example, half-yearly or annual training is required in certain areas (see § 20 DruckluftV, § 38 StrahlSchV, § 28 JArbSchG).

According to Section 4 of DGUV Regulation 1 (Principles of Prevention, formerly BGV A1) and Section 14 (2) of the Hazardous Substances Ordinance, initial training must be provided before the start of work, followed by annual training.

Our fire safety training services

We offer needs-based support in the areas of occupational safety, fire safety, environmental protection and energy:

• Creation of training materials
• Review and planning of all necessary training courses
• Creation of a training matrix for structuring purposes
• Conducting employee training on site or digitally

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Explosion protection: Risk assessment and preparation of explosion protection documents

As part of the risk assessment, the employer is obliged to determine whether an area is at risk of explosion. This requirement arises from the Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV) (§ 9) in conjunction with the Hazardous Substances Regulation (GefStoffV) (§ 6).

Factors such as the probability of occurrence, the frequency and duration of an explosive atmosphere, and the possibility of ignition sources and their effects must be taken into account.

An explosive atmosphere is an area in which a dangerous explosive atmosphere may occur or cannot be safely prevented. However, if the amount of explosive atmosphere is so small that no special protective measures are required, this area is not considered to be an explosive atmosphere.

According to Section 6 of the Hazardous Substances Ordinance, an explosion protection document must be created for potentially explosive areas, documenting all explosion protection measures taken. This document must be available before any work begins, and its creation is required regardless of the number of employees – even for small craft businesses.

Our services in the field of explosion protection

Thanks to our global network of experts and laboratories in various industries, we can offer you comprehensive support in explosion protection:

• Conducting risk analyses and hazard assessments in explosion protection
• Training courses on the basics of explosion protection
• Specialised training courses on topics relevant to explosion protection
• Identification of potentially explosive areas
• Recommendations for zoning and documentation in an explosion zone plan
• Preparation of explosion protection documents in accordance with legal requirements

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Evacuation and clearance plans: Safety in places of assembly

According to Section 42 (1) of the Model Ordinance on Places of Assembly (Muster-VStättV), the operator is obliged to draw up fire safety regulations and, if necessary, an evacuation plan in consultation with the fire protection authority.

This plan specifies whether and which tasks are assigned to a fire safety officer and the emergency services, and which measures are necessary for a quick and orderly evacuation of the place of assembly. Particular consideration is given to how people with disabilities can be safely evacuated. For assembly venues with more than 1,000 visitors, such an evacuation plan must be drawn up separately, unless the measures are already part of a safety plan in accordance with Section 43 of the Muster-VStättV.

It is particularly emphasised that assembly venues should be designed and operated in such a way that, in an emergency, the fire brigade does not need to be called in to rescue people.

Since physically disabled people and children in particular tend to act unsafely in dangerous situations, more and more fire protection agencies are requiring evacuation plans to be drawn up. These are particularly important in nursing homes, daycare centres, schools, buildings with high public traffic and hospitals.

A customised evacuation plan helps to identify potential hazard scenarios at an early stage and to plan appropriate measures so that action can be taken safely and quickly in an emergency.

Our offer for your customised evacuation plan

In close consultation with the relevant authorities, we create a tailor-made evacuation plan that is precisely tailored to your requirements and the conditions of your meeting place or facility.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Evacuation drills: Safety for your business

Conducting evacuation drills is not only recommended, but in many cases required by law. The necessity arises from, among other things:

• Section 10 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
• Section 4 (4) of the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV)
• § 13 (1) of the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV)
• Other regulations, such as the Hazardous Incident Ordinance or the Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR)

According to § 4 (4) of the Workplace Ordinance, the employer is obliged to draw up an escape and rescue plan if the location, size or type of the workplace requires it. This plan must be displayed in suitable locations and practised at regular intervals.

The Technical Rules for Workplaces – ASR A2.3 ‘Escape routes, emergency exits, escape and rescue plan’ specifies this requirement: According to point 9 (7) of the ASR, evacuation drills based on the escape and rescue plans must be carried out regularly.

Our service: Professional evacuation drills for your business

After careful planning, we are happy to carry out an evacuation drill for your business. The drill includes:

• Planning and coordination of the evacuation drill
• Documentation of the drill
• Development of improvement measures to optimise processes

Our evacuation drills offer you the opportunity to test your evacuation processes realistically and identify potential weaknesses at an early stage.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

First aid, firefighting and evacuation obligations in accordance with workplace regulations

Workplace regulations require every company to take measures that contribute to first aid, firefighting and evacuation of employees. In addition, sales outlet regulations stipulate that the operator is obliged to train fire safety assistants.

In special facilities such as care facilities, where people unfamiliar with the premises and residents who are unable to walk are regularly present, it is particularly important to assign specific evacuation tasks to employees. These include tasks such as guiding visitors out of the building or assisting residents who are dependent on help.

These tasks can be performed by evacuation officers and evacuation assistants.

Tasks of evacuation officers and evacuation assistants

• Evacuation officers are responsible for coordinating evacuations in emergencies. They are in direct contact with a central contact person and report whether their area has been completely evacuated or whether people are still present.
• Evacuation assistants are reliable employees who are responsible for a specific building or operational area (e.g. a floor). The area assigned to them must not be too large in order to ensure quick and effective control.

Our offer: Training and education for evacuation officers and evacuation assistants

We support you in appointing the necessary number of people for evacuation tasks in your company and offer company-specific training.

Our training courses are practice-oriented and tailored to the individual needs of your company.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Event safety: protection for visitors, employees and service providers

Special requirements apply to event safety. Both operators and organisers bear a great deal of responsibility for the protection of visitors, employees and service providers.

Whether large-scale events, Christmas markets, celebrations in school halls, community centres, town halls, arenas, hotels, concerts, weddings, art exhibitions, open-air events or city festivals – all events are subject to special legal regulations, even if they take place in locations that are not approved or planned as places of assembly.

Our service: Consulting and safety concepts for your event

We are happy to advise you on event safety and work closely with the licensing authorities and local emergency services, such as the fire brigade, to develop a safety concept tailored to your event.

Our goal is to develop a comprehensive safety concept for every event that takes all necessary protective measures into account and meets safety requirements.

If we have piqued your interest, please feel free to contact us at any time.