Büro-Arbeitsplatz Vorschriften: Brandschutz nicht vergessen!

There are several office workplace regulations concerning the important topic of fire protection that are all too often not followed in many corporate or public authority offices. This is all the more surprising, given the significant liability risk associated with fire protection.
Managers should take fire protection seriously, as this is the only way to avoid personal liability. This particularly includes observing the duty to use fire-resistant mats for electrical appliances.

Office Workplace Regulations: What requirements does the legislator place on devices with built-in heating elements?

In principle, every electrical operating device is theoretically a fire hazard. This applies especially to devices designed to generate heat, such as coffee machines, kettles, or radiators. These are very common and can therefore be found in almost every household as well as in offices. They are often connected to multiple sockets, which further increases the risk of fire. The following regulations should be observed when using these devices:

• VdS 2000
• VdS 2015
• VdS 2046
• VDE 0105-100:2015-10 and the
• Industrial Safety Ordinance 201

In VdS 2015, the “Electrical Devices and Systems” information sheet, paragraph 2.4 states that stoves, cookers, power supplies for smartphones or laptops must always be used and positioned in such a way that they do not pose a fire hazard to the surroundings.

Office Workplace Regulations: Operate Electrical Devices Only with Fire-Resistant Mats!

For this reason, our fire protection mat should always be used with every electrical device in an office environment. Furthermore, they must only be placed and used at an appropriate distance from flammable objects.

VdS 2046 states in paragraph 2.11 that electric heating devices must always be installed in such a way that they do not create a fire hazard. In addition, the operating instructions should always be observed.