Open plan offices replaced the old fashioned cubicle system in a lot of businesses because it was believed that they encouraged collaboration and boosted morale, leading to increased productivity in the business.

However, in recent years, people have started to change their opinion of open plan offices and it is now being suggested that both the open plan model and the cubicle model have their issues and open plan may not be the way forward. 

Fire safety is one of the big problems with open plan offices because fire can spread very easily.

In an old-style office where there are a lot of partitions everywhere, it’s easier to stop the spread of a fire. However, a fire can quickly spread throughout an open plan office without anything to slow it down.

There is also a higher risk of electrical fires because you have large desk banks with lots of computers and other devices all plugged into a few outlets that are very close together.

You don’t get this in cubicles where everything is separated, so there is a lower risk of electrical fires. 

If you have an open plan office, it’s vital that you consider this health and safety risk.

Many people understand the basics of preventing a fire in an office, but they don’t understand the specific challenges that relate to open plan offices and they don’t put the right measures in place to protect themselves. 

These are some of the best ways to prevent fires in open plan offices and limit the damage if a fire does occur. 

Install Windows

The lack of divisions is the biggest problem when it comes to fire in open plan offices.

They are designed to break down barriers and bring the whole team together, which is great, but it also means that a lot of the normal defences, like thick walls and heavy duty fire doors, simply are not there in an open plan office.

But you can still get the same open plan effect while also compartmentalizing the office at the same time if you use windows. 

The aim of an open plan office is to create a sense of one large team working together and to bring a lot of light and space into the office.

You still achieve that with windows, and it’s much safer. It’s a good idea to create partitions using fire rated windows, so if a fire does break out, you are able to control it.

Using large glass doors still allows you to open up the office if you need to, but it makes it a lot safer. You will find that partitions actually make the office a lot more productive because, if people need a quiet area with a bit more privacy, they have that option there.  

Use Fire Curtains 

In some areas, you may decide that you still want to keep the open plan feel and you don’t want any windows or partitions of any kind. That’s fine, but it’s important that you use fire curtains in those areas.

A fire curtain is a large piece of fire resistant material that is stored away in a box on the wall when not in use.

They are very discreet so they won’t disrupt the design of the office, but if a fire does break out, these curtains can be pulled across to stop it from spreading.

The correct use of a fire curtain can make a huge difference in the event of a fire because it protects escape routes and allows everybody to evacuate the office safely.

It can also stop certain areas of the office, where the most expensive equipment is, from catching fire. Damage limitation is so important for businesses because it prevents financial ruin in the event of a fire, and fire curtains are a brilliant way to do that. 

Manage The Risk Of Electrical Fire

Managing the risk of electrical fires is vital in any office, but particularly in an open plan office. When multiple desks are together in a large bank and all of the computers are plugged in next to each other, the risk of fire is much greater.

The most important thing that you need to do is ensure that all devices and plugs have been safety tested by a qualified electrician before being used in the office. This is difficult in some cases because many businesses allow people to use their own devices.

If you have a bring your own device policy, it’s important that you check that all devices have been tested correctly. You also need to make sure that your employees understand the dangers of overloading power strips and plugging too many devices in at once.

An open plan office might work for your business and that’s great. However, if you do run an open plan office, it’s important that you are aware of the dangers and you take the necessary steps to prevent and manage fires. 

With all of these tips, it is essential to note that UK fire safety legislation must be followed at all times and that all premises that are used for non-domestic purposes, including open-plan offices, fall under these regulations.

If the legislation is not adhered to, then the office manager could find themselves legally liable and open to prosecution, which could result in huge fines or even prison time.

Therefore it is incredibly important to take these tips seriously, and also brush up on official fire safety rules when in doubt, just in case.

• DISCLOSURE – This post has been written by an outside source