An innovative new online portal from Kent firefighters is set to help firms risk assess their premises.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has teamed up with the Fire Protection Association to create what it calls a "digital one stop shop" for companies in the county to help safeguard their offices against a host of hazards.

It is believed to be the first system of its kind among fire services in the UK.

From fire to flooding, ongoing building works to electrical equipment, or unoccupied buildings and listed building restrictions – the Business Protection Portal pulls all the relevant safety documentation together from a broad insurance database, and uses the postcode of the business to identify specific safety risks in an area.

The system analyses the type of business and geographical location, and pulls together a comprehensive downloadable document with recommendations and next steps.

Mark Woodward, head of technical fire safety, prevention and protection, at KFRS, said: “We know lots of companies are really busy running day-to-day business activity, so that’s why we’ve come up with this really quick and simple way for organisations to see what they need to do to protect their premises, procedures and staff, and create effective business continuity plans.

“It’s so important to understand the risks associated with a business and this new protection portal gives everyone the opportunity to access the right guidance and information at the click of a mouse. It’s vital to identify hazards before they become an issue, and with this tool it’s never been easier to keep your business safe.”