| Fires are serious business and require serious | | | | all fire emergency equipment. Fire extinguisher |
| attention and planning. Fires cost hundreds of lives | | | | signs can aid in keeping your employees safe. |
| and hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. | | | | Evacuation: Develop a complete written plan for |
| Business owners can aid in the safety and | | | | evacuation in the case of fire and other |
| protection of their employees by developing an | | | | emergencies. This plan should include routes of |
| effective fire safety plan. Successful fire safety | | | | exit, external meeting points, and any |
| plans include everything from properly placed exit | | | | accommodations necessary for disabled |
| signs to effective evacuation routes. Fires often | | | | employees. Institute emergency training into your |
| spark without warning. Your properly designed fire | | | | new employee orientation program, post your |
| safety plan could save lives. | | | | workplace evacuation plan and train employees on |
| There are many important aspects of a | | | | what to do in any emergency. |
| life-saving fire safety plan: | | | | Alerts and Alarms: Alarms are a fire emergency |
| Prevention: The easiest way to keep your | | | | must-have, unless any small workplace fires could |
| employees safe from fire is to prevent fires | | | | be easily spotted by employees. A loud-speaker |
| from occurring. Design a plan for fire prevention | | | | alert system or distinct alarm bell is the best way |
| and educate all employees. Store any flammables | | | | to alert all building occupants to enact the fire |
| properly. Inspect and correctly maintain any | | | | safety plan. Conduct regular fire drills to familiarize |
| ignition points, such as appliances, wiring, outlets, | | | | employees with the alarm and what to do in case |
| and tools. Train employees how to recognize fire | | | | of fire. |
| danger in the workplace and how to manage small | | | | Fire Suppression: Aside from prevention, the best |
| fires to prevent an emergency evacuation. | | | | way to ensure fire safety is installation of a fire |
| Fire Exits: One exit door is not enough. Each | | | | suppression system. Effective means of |
| workplace is required to provide at least two | | | | suppression include sprinkler systems and carbon |
| emergency exit locations. Exits must be clearly | | | | dioxide or Halon 1211 dispersion systems. Signs |
| marked with illuminated exit signs or glow in the | | | | should be posted about the potential use of any |
| dark exit signs that are visible in the event of a | | | | suppression system. |
| power failure. All exit paths must be clear of any | | | | Employees appreciate being involved in the |
| debris or obstruction and any building emergency | | | | process of plan development and should be |
| lighting regulations should be met. OSHA | | | | involved in all training and preparation for |
| regulations require all fire exit signs to be installed | | | | emergencies. Sit down with staff and discuss the |
| prior to employees entering a workplace. | | | | key areas involved in safe, efficient management |
| Fire Extinguishers: Appropriate fire extinguishers | | | | of fires and other workplace dangers. Your |
| should be accessible in several locations. Equipment | | | | employees will feel secure in knowing their |
| must be inspected regularly and properly | | | | workday safety is in good hands. |
| maintained. Train employees in the proper use of | | | | |