Fire losses amount to millions of rands per annum in damage to buildings, materials, and assets, as well as the tragic loss of life. Our firefighting courses are designed to help delegates understand fire safety, fire prevention, good housekeeping, and how to correctly manage a firefighting emergency.
On completion of the firefighting courses, delegates will have a better understanding of the theoretical aspects and elements of fire, as well as the practical opportunity to use a firefighting extinguisher and extinguish a real fire.
Having employees in a company that is trained in the skill of firefighting and understands the different types of fires, is not only a legal requirement but a good management decision that could potentially reduce losses and damages that a fire could cause. Fire damage to premises, materials and disruption at work results in business downtime, loss of revenue earnings, and possible loss of life of employees and visitors, with catastrophic consequences.
Sending employees to attend a firefighting course will assist with health and safety compliance, as empower your employees with the confidence and ability to extinguish fires before it rages out of control. The firefighting courses are fully accredited by the Health and Safety SETA and Absolute Health Services is an accredited and certified professional training provider.
Our Firefighting Training Courses
Firefighting Course
The Firefighting course is a short but comprehensive course aimed at upskilling delegates with good firefighting theoretical knowledge content such as fire prevention principles, the different classes of fire, as well as how to practically handle a firefighting extinguisher which builds confidence in order to attempt to extinguish a fire in the correct circumstances. Fire wardens form part of the health and safety team and are a valuable asset in times of a fire emergency.
Price:
R750.00 excluding VAT
Duration:
1 Day
Accreditation:
Accredited with the Health and Welfare SETA
Advanced Firefighting Course
This Advanced Firefighting course contains firefighting theoretical content, but also includes additional practical firefighting exposure during the second day where the delegates participate in additional practical exercises, demonstrations and build additional advanced firefighting confidence. This course is aimed at and recommended to high-risk environments or organisations that require their fire warden teams to be better prepared for the fire emergency.
Price:
R1,650.00 excluding VAT
Duration:
2 Days
Accreditation:
Accredited with the Health and Welfare SETA
Firefighting Equipment Servicing Technician Course – SAQCC 1475
This very popular Fire Equipment Servicing Technician – SAQCC 1475 course is a recognised, accredited, theoretical and practical course that upskills delegates on how to service firefighting equipment such as extinguishers, hose reels, hydrants, and booster connections. After gaining practical exposure, the delegates can then register with the professional body, namely the South African Qualifications Certification Committee.
Price:
R3,950.00 excluding VAT
Duration:
5 Days
Accreditation:
Accredited with the South African Qualifications Certification Committee (SAQCC)
Common Causes of Workplaces Fires
Fires in the workplace can start as a result of a number of different causes, so it’s important to have a thorough understanding of what the common root causes are and then to ensure that effective preventative measures are put in place and that the workplace staff are then trained in quality firefighting courses.
In most workplace settings, it’s possible for waste produced on-site to gather over time, and if left to accumulate becomes a fuel source of combustible material for a fire to start. Even simple office materials like paper and cardboard can easily catch alight if the situation presents itself. As a precautionary measure, always make sure that waste is cleared regularly from your workplace, and that large masses of paper such as archives are stored correctly and orderly and ideally rather backed up digitally where possible.
Depending on the industry you’re in, there may be flammable liquids being used that could potentially create a fire if an accidental spill occurs or if not stored correctly, were to happen. Fire hazards like these need to be prevented and accompanied by the proper storage facility and firefighting course training.
Accidents and incidents do happen in the workplace, but often the accidents are caused by employee negligence and employees not adhering to the company’s health and safety act and policy requirements. A common example is employees leaving heaters on in the workplace overnight and or smoking in the workplace. Always make sure that health and safety procedures are put in place and are enforced when employees are not adhering to the health and safety act and company policy. If you don’t a situation could lead to an outbreak of fire and serious damage to company property and loss of life!
Bad wiring and faulty electrical equipment are quite common causes of fires in the workplace. Any faulty electrical infrastructure in your workplace should be immediately reporting and fixed and an electrical compliance certificate obtained to avoid potential fire hazards. Professional electricians should always be consulted in these situations, and never allow unlicensed individuals to attend to or repair these hazards.
The smoking areas in your workplace should always be designed and allocated according to legislation and required safety measures in order to assist in preventing fires. The existence of a dedicated smoking area is also important to have for those at your workplace who smoke. Smoking signs and ashtrays need to be provided to ensure the proper extinguishing of cigarettes.
Fire Drills
- While fire and evacuation drills may seem like an inconvenience and a hassle when a fire is not actually present, it is a very important exercise and procedure that needs to be practised and in place, and all employees need to understand and practise this procedure in the event of a real fire and evacuation occurring. All companies must perform two fire and evacuation drills per year and have a record that of these fire drills were performed. It is also important for all employees to realise that firefighting equipment may not be used unnecessarily or tampered with, as these must be in good working order in case a fire starts.
- In the Occupational Health and Safety Act 38(1)(n) it states that any person who tampers with or misuses any safety equipment installed or provided to any person by an employer or user will be liable to a fine of up to R50 000.00 or to imprisonment for a period of up to 1 year or both! This includes stealing of basic fire fighting equipment, using the fire hose reels to wash vehicles or floors, or general horseplay in the workplace with fire equipment.