5 Fire Safety Compliance Tips for Your Business
Over 3,000 fires are reported in office properties every year, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). After investigation, it was found that most of these fires were because of poor safety considerations and non-compliance with fire codes and guidelines.
Businesses must comply with all workplace safety regulations, including NFPA codes, OSHA, NEC, and numerous other governing bodies, implementing fire prevention protocols into your business or office space. Another key aspect of fire safety is regular training with employees so they can remain vigilant.
Here are some fire safety compliance tips based on global and US-based regulations that you can follow to make your workplace safer for yourself and others.
Fire Safety Compliance Tips
- Employing a Safety Officer
A single safety officer can do wonders for a growing company. The officer will be in charge of reviewing and adjusting the escape routes, spotting potential fire hazards, and determining the places with a lot of traffic. Fire safety officers are also responsible for ensuring that all hazards are being monitored and potential threats are being minimized.
- Check Stairwells & Escape Routes
Stashing inventory, machinery, equipment, or trash on the stairwell is against OSHA and NFPA code requirements. These present a literal hurdle for your employees in case of an emergency as stairwells are the primary escape route during a fire.
Things stored in stairways can block paths, cause people to fall over, or even become additional fire hazards. So it’s important that concerted efforts be made to make sure everyone is following these protocols.
- Check Wiring
Electrical fires are particularly common in places where the wiring is old, has been chewed on by animals, or is overloaded. Furthermore, damaged connectors and joints or cracked insulation can be an electrical risk, while the connections themselves may heat up if covered, leading to a fire.
Overloading a circuit (octopus wiring) is also a major fire risk – and is the source of many workplace fires. NEC recommends that you call an inspector every time you change your electrical system and get your whole electrical system inspected every 3-5 years.
Cable management is crucial to avoid short circuits and fire.
- Smoking – Another Primary Source of Fires
According to the NFPA, one of every 31 fires is caused by a cigarette butt. Code suggests that you assign a well-ventilated smoking area – preferably outside the building – for employees. Large ashtrays should be used to avoid butts or ash flying everywhere. When buying an ashtray, make sure it doesn’t have a narrow base, or else it could easily tip over.
- Give Every Appliances Some Room
From the coffee-maker to individual PCs, everything needs some breathing room. Allow air to circulate to keep them cool, and make sure there are no combustible materials near outlets. When not in use, either unplug the appliances or flip the breakers off to prevent fires from sparks.
These are just a few fire compliance tips that you need to keep in mind to ensure fire code compliance and make your workplace safer for employees. If you would like to learn more about how Americom can help you mitigate fire risks or want to comply with relevant standards, get in contact with us today. We’d love to help you out!