Fire Safety in the Workplace
Commercial fire safety is essential. Preventing accidents in closed workplaces such as offices, buildings or mechanical workshops is the best option to take care of the staff working in these spaces.
This includes, of course, teaching people what to do in case of a fire and installing correct fire alarm systems such as signals, emergency LED lights, routes to manual exits, automated fire extinguishers, and any other special requirements based on the commercial fire risk assessment.
If you’re interested in learning how to prepare yourself for a fire in your workplace, you’ve come to the right blog! Here are a few helpful tips for dealing with a fire emergency.
How does a fire start?
Combustion is a chemical reaction that occurs when the vapors emitted by a combustible substance combine very rapidly with oxygen in the air. This reaction happens when light and heat releases.
A fire emergency can occur in any high-risk workplaces such as machine shops, plants, warehouses, offices, hospitals, and schools. In any case, the instructions of an established emergency plan must be followed to boost the safety of all persons inside the building.
General recommendations
● Eliminate possible ignition sources by regular maintenance of electrical installations (thermography or similar)
● Keep areas free of unnecessary objects – order and cleanliness are the first steps in proper prevention
● Carry out correct periodic maintenance of fire protection equipment
● Do not place objects on or near heat sources
● Have a written Fire Emergency and Evacuation Plan, known, implemented, updated and subject to regular practices by all personnel
● Train employees in the prevention and extinguishing of fires inherent to their activity
● Correctly mark the areas with the highest fire risk
What to do in the case of a fire
● Remain calm
● Alarm the fire department quickly when you receive the command or the fire signal sounds
● Do not take personal risks – do not extinguish the fire without being accompanied or without adequate equipment
● If the emergency is not in your sector, remain at your post
● If you have to evacuate the building, do so in an orderly manner and route anyone you meet on your way to the nearest exit
● Follow the instructions of the evacuation guide and the distress signal
● Do not use elevators or freight elevators
● Walk crouching – smoke tends to rise!
● Exit the building through the emergency stairs closest to your floor
● Do not return to the building, for any reason, until the person(s) responsible for the evacuation informs so
● Once you’re out, proceed to the emergency assembly point
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