Discussing Emrill’s advanced safety measures, Philip Rawlinson, Head of HSSEQ, shares insights on achieving excellence in safety compliance and standards

UAE facilities management company Emrill Services LLC embodies a comprehensive approach to fire safety across its diverse portfolio of managed properties.

In this interview, IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey spoke to Philip Rawlinson, Head of HSSEQ at Emrill, to discuss Emrill’s robust fire safety strategies, highlighting significant challenges faced, and exploring innovative solutions implemented to enhance safety standards and compliance. 

Could you introduce yourself and explain your role at Emrill? How does your work impact fire safety and facilities management?

In my role, I am responsible for establishing and maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, sustainability, environment, and quality across our operations.

This involves developing comprehensive safety protocols, conducting regular training sessions, and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory requirements.

My work significantly impacts fire safety and facilities management by implementing robust safety measures designed to prevent fire hazards and ensure swift, effective responses in case of emergencies.

By fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement, Emrill minimises risks and maintains a safe environment for all our stakeholders.

What are the foundational fire safety strategies Emrill employs across its managed facilities?

Emrill employs several foundational fire safety strategies to ensure comprehensive safety across our managed properties.

Key among these is our Behaviour-Based Safety programme, which focuses on encouraging safe behaviours and practices among all personnel.

Additionally, we conduct regular fire and life safety reviews to identify potential risks and ensure all safety measures are up to date.

We also carry out emergency fire mock drills regularly to prepare our teams for real-life scenarios, ensuring a swift and effective response in the event of an actual fire.

These strategies collectively enhance the safety and security of the facilities we manage.

How does Emrill integrate the latest fire safety regulations and standards into its operations?

Emrill integrates the latest fire safety regulations and standards into its operations by adhering to the ISO 41001:2018 Facility Management System.

This comprehensive framework ensures that we stay updated with current regulations and best practices in fire safety.

By following this internationally recognised standard, we can systematically incorporate the latest requirements into our procedures, providing a safe environment across all our managed facilities.

This approach not only ensures compliance but also enhances the overall effectiveness of our fire safety strategies.

Can you detail a specific challenge Emrill encountered regarding fire safety and the solution that was implemented?

Providing comprehensive facilities management services across more than 235 contracts, Emrill has faced several significant challenges in ensuring fire safety across its diverse portfolio of managed properties.

One of the primary challenges has been developing effective evacuation procedures for high-rise buildings.

To address this, Emrill implements regular fire drills and, when requested by the client, installs advanced alarm systems to ensure swift and orderly evacuations.

Additionally, the diversity of work environments requires tailored fire safety protocols.

Emrill creates customised safety plans for each facility type, ensuring specific needs and risks are adequately addressed.

Managing a large workforce also poses a challenge, particularly in providing comprehensive training.

To overcome this, Emrill conducts frequent and engaging training sessions incorporating real-life scenarios, enhancing employees’ preparedness and responsiveness.

Lastly, the regular inspection and maintenance of fire safety equipment is critical.

Emrill establishes robust maintenance schedules and utilises technology for monitoring to ensure all equipment remains in optimal condition.

These solutions have collectively strengthened Emrill’s fire safety measures, ensuring the safety of all occupants across our managed facilities.

What role does technology play in Emrill’s fire safety management? Are there specific tools or software you rely on?

Technology plays a crucial role in Emrill’s fire safety management.

One of the key tools we use is Techsphere, our advanced digital facilities management solution, which is essential for effective asset management and conducting comprehensive safety audits.

Each work order in Techsphere first asks if the area is safe to work in.

Only after confirming safety can our team access job details and proceed with the required tasks.

Techsphere allows us to streamline our processes, ensuring that all fire safety equipment is regularly inspected, maintained, and documented efficiently, and also facilitates real-time monitoring and reporting, enabling us to quickly identify and address any potential issues.

By leveraging this advanced technology, we have enhanced Emrill’s ability to maintain high safety standards and ensure the protection of our facilities and occupants.

How does Emrill’s approach to fire safety differ in residential versus commercial properties?

Emrill tailors its fire safety approach to address the unique challenges presented by residential and commercial properties.

In residential properties, our focus is on ensuring residents follow fire safety practices, managing risks from cooking and personal electrical appliances, and safely evacuating families, including children and the elderly.

This involves educating residents about fire prevention and conducting regular drills to prepare them for emergencies.

In contrast, in commercial properties, Emrill coordinates fire safety protocols among diverse businesses, addressing hazards from industrial equipment and large-scale electrical systems.

This requires a more complex strategy to efficiently evacuate large numbers of employees and visitors during working hours.

By adapting our fire safety measures to the specific needs of residential and commercial environments, we can effectively mitigate risks and ensure the safety of all occupants.

Can you share an example of a successful intervention or modification that significantly enhanced fire safety in a property managed by Emrill?

One notable example of a successful intervention that significantly enhances fire safety in properties managed by Emrill involves our comprehensive safety audits.

We conduct thorough safety audits using the latest technology and methodologies to identify potential fire hazards and vulnerabilities.

These audits provide detailed insights, allowing us to make targeted improvements and ensure our fire safety measures are always up-to-date.

In addition to audits, we implement regular fire drills that are meticulously planned and executed to simulate real-life fire scenarios.

These drills test our evacuation procedures and familiarise our staff and occupants with emergency protocols, ensuring a swift and coordinated response during an actual incident.

A key part of our process is the continuous improvement cycle.

We conduct post-audit and post-drill reviews to analyse outcomes, gather feedback, and implement necessary adjustments to our fire safety protocols.

This ensures our procedures remain robust and effective.

Furthermore, we actively involve both staff and building occupants in our safety audits and drills.

Their participation and feedback are crucial in refining our fire safety measures and fostering a collective commitment to a safe environment.

Emrill’s proactive approach and dedication to excellence ensure that our fire safety protocols not only comply with but also surpass the highest industry standards.

This commitment guarantees the utmost safety and protection for all our managed properties, significantly enhancing overall fire safety.

 

How does Emrill measure and evaluate the effectiveness of its fire safety protocols?

Emrill measures and evaluates the effectiveness of its fire safety protocols through a combination of safety audits, emergency drills, and adherence to health and safety performance standards.

Safety audits are conducted regularly to identify potential hazards and ensure all safety measures are in place and functioning correctly.

Emergency drills are planned and executed to test our evacuation procedures and ensure that both staff and occupants are familiar with emergency protocols.

Additionally, we closely monitor our adherence to health and safety performance standards, ensuring that our protocols not only meet but exceed industry requirements.

This comprehensive approach allows us to continuously improve our fire safety measures, ensuring the highest level of protection for all our managed properties.

What are some of the latest trends or innovations Emrill is looking to adopt in the near future regarding fire safety?

As fire safety continues to evolve, Emrill will continue to adopt future innovations to ensure compliance while enhancing safety measures across our managed facilities.

A key focus will be adhering to any updates in UAE building codes and compliance requirements to meet the latest safety standards for all new and existing buildings.

By increasing the frequency of inspections and maintenance of fire safety equipment and conducting regular comprehensive fire safety audits, we will continue to optimise functionality and prevent potential equipment failures that compromise fire safety.

We will also continue to develop our fire safety programmes for our team, ensuring they are equipped with the latest knowledge and necessary skills to ensure the highest standards of fire safety.

By actively engaging residents and tenants in fire safety practices and procedures, we will also ensure everyone is well-informed and prepared to respond effectively in the event of a fire, enhancing the overall safety of facilities while minimising risk.

The need for customised emergency preparedness and response plans for each facility will remain integral to our fire safety efforts, as we develop and implement tailored strategies to protect lives and property.

In terms of fire safety, what are Emrill’s long-term goals and how do they plan to achieve them?

Emrill’s long-term goals in fire safety focus on maintaining and enhancing the safety of all managed properties by regularly updating and refining fire safety procedures to stay ahead of evolving risks and industry standards.

We aim to develop and maintain state-of-the-art fire safety training programmes to ensure all Emrill’s staff are highly skilled and prepared.

Working closely with our clients to integrate the latest fire safety technologies, such as AI-driven detection systems and automated suppression methods, is also a priority to enhance our fire prevention and response capabilities.

Additionally, Emrill will further strengthen our partnerships with local authorities, communities, and industry experts to continuously improve fire safety outcomes.

Utilising predictive analytics and data-driven approaches will help us identify and mitigate potential fire hazards before they occur, ensuring proactive risk management.

Conducting ongoing fire safety awareness programmes for building occupants and the wider community will further reinforce our commitment to safety and preparedness.

By pursuing these goals, Emrill aims to provide the highest level of fire safety and protection across all its managed properties.

This article was originally published in the July 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.