Fire Safety Regulations and Tips

The best way to "fight" a fire is to prevent it in the first place. However, fires occur every day in business facilities across the country. Each year they kill over 5,000 people, injure more than 80,000 and cost industry over $11 billion dollars. This fire safety education and training course reminds employees that they can make a difference! It shows employees how fire works and reviews the major causes of fire with them. It also examines fire prevention techniques and the use of fire extinguishers.

Do Your Know the Answers? IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

• Where the fire alarm boxes are in your job area? They should be well marked and easy to access.

• Where the exit routes are in your building or immediate work area? The lighted exits signs will help guide you in heavy smoke or if the lights are out, but you should know the layout of the area.

• Where the fire extinguishers are located and what type are they? The extinguishers must be mounted in a designated location, well marked and easy to access.

• The procedures to follow in the event of a fire? What steps to follow, where to go and how to use a fire extinguisher if needed. Your company should have a fire emergency plan, if not, START ONE!

Do I Need an Emergency Action Plan?

Almost every business is required to have an emergency action plan (EAP).

If fire extinguishers are required or provided in your workplace, and if anyone will be evacuating during a fire or other emergency, then OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.157 requires you to have an EAP.

The only exemption to this is if you have an in-house fire brigade in which every employee is trained and equipped to fight fires, and consequently, no one evacuates.

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Do you know the difference between Fire Extinguishers?

There are four different types of fires:

• Type A - ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and many plastics

• Type B - flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, grease, tar, oil-based paint, lacquer, and flammable gas

• Type C - energized electrical equipment, including wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery and appliances

• Type D - combustible metals such as magnesium and potassium

The University of Virginia suggest your remember the acronym “RACE”:

R Remain calm, do not panic. Rescue persons in immediate danger.

A Alarm… Activate the nearest MANUAL PULL STATION and notify the fire department by dialing 9-911 (“I want to report a fire at…”); Inform other occupants.

C Contain fire at point of origin by closing all doors and windows.

E Evacuate the facility using established procedures. Extinguish fire by using a portable fire extinguisher. (Unless you have been properly trained, never attempt to use a fire extinguisher) Report fire/pull alarm first; extinguish after. Never attempt to extinguish a fire unless you can do so safely. Read more...

Fire Safety and Evacuation Planning

The University of Vermont has a nice Powerpoint Presentation on Fire Safety too.