A Little Fire Prevention Planning Can Save You From A Big Problem

When EMC risk improvement manager Mike Duffield inspects a commercial facility, fire prevention is always on his mind. “Workplace fires kill more than 300 and injure more than 5,000 workers every year,” comments Duffield. “Fires destroy businesses and put people out of work,” he adds. Trained to identify fire risks and armed with information on ways to prevent fires, Duffield and other risk improvement specialists can advise you if your workplace is in compliance with standards for fire safety.

Although National Fire Prevention Week is October 8-14, EMC Insurance Companies practices fire safety every day of the year by helping companies comply with fire safety standards and reduce the likelihood of workplace fires.

Building Fire Exits

Each workplace building should have at least two means of escape, remote from each other, to be used in a fire emergency.
Fire doors should not be blocked or locked to prevent emergency use when buildings are occupied. Delayed opening of fire doors may be permitted when an approved alarm system is integrated into the fire door design.
Emergency egress routes from buildings should be clear, free of obstructions, and properly marked with signs designating exits from the building.

Emergency Evacuation Planning

Each employer with 10 or more employees needs to have a written emergency action plan that describes the routes to use and procedures to be followed by employees. This plan should be available for employee review.
Special procedures for helping physically impaired employees should be addressed in the plan. The plan should also include procedures for those employees who must remain behind temporarily to shut down crucial plant equipment before they evacuate.
An employee alarm system should be available throughout the workplace. The alarm system may be voice communication or other audible and visual signals. All employees should know the evacuation signal.
Employers should review the plan with new employees and with all employees when the plan is changed so they know correct actions in an emergency.

Fire Prevention Plan

Employers need to implement a written fire prevention plan. Stopping unwanted fires from occurring is the most efficient method of fire prevention.
Housekeeping procedures for the storage and cleanup of combustible and flammable materials and waste should be included in the plan.
Procedures for controlling workplace ignition sources such as smoking, welding and cutting should be addressed in the plan. Heat producing equipment should be properly maintained and kept clean of accumulations of combustible residues. Flammables should never be stored close to these pieces of equipment.
All employees should be informed of potential fire hazards of their job and the procedures called for in the employer’s fire prevention plan.

Fire Suppression Equipment

Properly designed and installed automatic fire suppression systems enhance fire safety in the workplace. Automatic fire sprinkler systems are among the most reliable fire protection devices.
Automatic fire suppression systems require routine maintenance. When it is necessary to take a fire suppression system out of service while business continues, the employer should temporarily substitute a fire watch of trained employees standing by to respond quickly to any fire emergency in the normally protected area.
Signs should be posted in areas protected by total flooding suppression systems that use agents that are a serious health hazard. Such systems should be equipped with pre-discharge alarm systems. There should be an emergency action plan to provide for the safe evacuation of employees within the protected area.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

Each workplace building should have the proper type and number of fire extinguishers for the fire hazards present.
Employees expected or anticipated to use fire extinguishers should be instructed on the hazards of fighting fire, how to properly operate the extinguishers, and what procedures to follow in alerting others to the fire emergency.
Only approved fire extinguishers are permitted to be used in workplaces, and they should be kept in good operating condition.
When the employer wishes to evacuate employees instead of having them fight small fires, there should be written emergency plans and employee training for proper evacuation.