Employers and employees want to prevent fires and want to know how to do it. We are certain you do too.Every hazard listed has caused many severe fires. Tests and fire records of nationally recognized laboratories show that the safeguards/recommendations below will give you better fire hazard control at a minimum cost. Periodic inspections of your premises by your own people, using this form as a guide, will give you a constant check on fire hazards on your property.

Electricity
Faulty electrical wiring and equipment cause millions of dollars of loss every year. Electrical wiring and equipment are subject to normal wear and tear and should be continuously maintained. The following suggestions will help you find and control possible trouble spots in your electrical system:

Fuses provide over-current protection only when properly
matched to the size wire being used. The following is a guide
to proper fuse selection.
#10 wire – 30 amp fuse
#12 wire – 20 amp fuse
#14 wire – 15 amp fuse
Replace all temporary wiring with approved permanent wiring properly installed to code.
Lightweight lamp and extension cords are easily overloaded or damaged and are not designed for use as permanent wiring.
Extension cords should:

Not be used for permanent wiring
Be in good condition and protected against any and all damage
Have adequate wire size for the tools and equipment being used
Not be spliced
Not be placed on floors subject to heavy foot or vehicle traffic
Not be supported by nails, hooks or any other object that might abrade or damage the cord
Be inspected frequently and replaced with UL listed cords when defective or worn

Motors should be kept clean of dust, dirt and oil accumulation at all times. Such accumulations will insulate the motor causing it to become overheated and burn out.
Fluorescent lamp fixtures contain ballast. Unless specifically listed by UL for mounting on combustible materials, a minimum clearance of 11/2 inches is recommended.
Hot circuit breaker panels or circuit breakers that trip frequently may indicate a wiring problem requiring further investigation and maintenance by a qualified electrician.

Heating
Heating equipment properly installed and maintained presents little fire hazard. However, annual checks by a qualified heating mechanic before each heating season will help assure continual safe operation. The heating unit should be cleaned, checked for leaks, properly adjusted, combustion tested and have all controls checked. Experience from many fires proves that combustible material too close to the heating device, and heating devices on combustible floors, are serious fire hazards. There may seem to be no danger, but long exposure to heat lowers the ignition temperature of combustible material until it ignites easily at relatively low temperatures.

Protection if inadequate Clearance
Combustible material needs at least the amounts of clearance specified above to be safe from the hazard of fire. If less than these amounts but at least ½ of the specified clearance, the combustible material can be protected by installing the following between the heat source and the combustible material:

24-gage sheet metal with or without insulated backing and with 1 inch ventilated air space behind.
31/2 inch thick masonry (brick) wall with1 inch ventilated air space behind.
½ inch noncombustible insulation board with 1 inch ventilated air space behind.

If the clearance is less than half of that prescribed, the heating equipment should be rearranged to provide at least the above amount of space or the combustible material removed.

Floor Protection

Mechanical and gravity warm air furnaces and hot water and steam boilers

If on a combustible floor, and flames or hot gases do not come in contact with the base, protect the floor under the appliance with hollow masonry not less than 4 inches in thickness covered with sheet metal of not less than 24 U.S. gage. Such masonry course shall be laid with ends unsealed and joints matched in such a way as to provide a free circulation of air from side to side through the masonry. If flames or hot gases come in contact with the base, protect the floor under the appliance by two courses of 4 inch hollow clay tile or equivalent, with courses laid at right angles and with ends unsealed and joints matched in such a way as to provide a free circulation of air through such masonry course and covered with steel plate not less than 3/16 inch thickness.

Radiating and circulating space heaters and domestic type ranges

If the heating appliance has legs 18 inches or more the floor should be protected by at least one sheet metal baffle between the burners and the floor.

If the heating appliance has at least 4 inch legs, the floor should be protected by sheet metal of 24 U.S. gages. If the heating appliance has legs less than 4 inches or no legs, the floor should be protected by hollow masonry as specified in the first paragraph of this floor protection section.

Where solid fuel is used, the protection should extend for 18 inches beyond the stove in all directions.

Table Protection (For small gas fired and electrical heating devices)
If the device is equipped with legs at least 4 inches high, it may rest upon a combustible base covered with sheet metal. A baffle plate should be suspended at least 2 inches above such combustible base. If the device is NOT equipped with legs at least 4 inches high, the device should rest upon a non-combustible base, pr upon a combustible base protected by a course of 4 inch hollow tile with ends unsealed so as to allow free circulation from side to side through the masonry.

Stovepipes and Smoke pipes

Stovepipes or smoke pipes passing through combustible walls and partitions should be removed. If impossible to remove, provide at least 6 inches clearance for a listed gas fired heater and 18 inches for an oil or solid fuel fired device, or install a ventilated metal thimble.
Stovepipes should be short and straight and should not pass through a floor, closet, concealed space or enter the chimney in the attic. Avoid more than one 90 degree angle or two 45 degree angles between the stove and chimney.
Keep total length of connector (stovepipe) between the stove’s firebox and chimney to less than 10 feet long and sloe upward at least ¼ inch per food toward the chimney.
Replace defective or rusty stovepipe with new pipe substantially supported.
Install a metal collar where pipe enters the chimney.
Metal prefabricated chimneys for wood or coal burning devices must be UL listed as ALL FUEL chimneys, not just a UL listed VENT.

Pipe less Hot Air Furnace
Provide a 4 inch air space on all sides of the hot air outlets except where the warm air passage is surrounded by a cold air passage.

Oil Burners

Provide outside vent and fill pipers for the oil storage tanks,
Fuel oil storage tanks should be securely supported by substantial noncombustible supports to prevent settling, sliding or lifting.
Inside storage tanks should not be located within 5 feet horizontally of any fire or flame.
Oil line should be protected against mechanical injury.
Do not use crankcase oil for fuel.

Gas Connections

Rubber tubing for gas connections deteriorates rapidly. Therefore, rubber tubing should be replaced with rigid pipe or an approved flexible connector.
For movable gas burning equipment using flexible tubing, a cutoff valve should be provided on the rigid pipe connection, upstream of the flexible connector.

Portable Heaters

Only heaters approved or listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory should be used.
Unvented portable kerosene heaters may be placed on combustible floors and with clearance to combustible materials not less than 36 inches. Other types of heaters should have clearances to combustible material not less than indicated on the heater.
Unvented gas or kerosene type heaters should only be used in well ventilated commercial and industrial occupancies.
Locate all portable heaters with care to prevent overturning or blocking egress routes.

Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Aerosols
and Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gas
Flammable and combustible liquids, because of their inherent hazardous characteristics and widespread use, are frequent contributors to major fire losses. Most accidents are caused by failure to recognize simple safeguards in their use, handling and storage.
Substitute safer, less flammable products for more flammable products whenever possible.

Flammable liquids, e.g., gasoline, paint thinners, etc. and combustible liquids, e.g., lubricating oils, kerosene, etc.:
Isolate larger quantities, i.e., quantities in excess of a one-day supply, from production areas and possible sources of ignition. Storage rooms, or. approved storage cabinets.
Do not use for cleaning parts and tools. A non-flammable or less flammable or combustible solvent or cleaner should be used for cleaning purposes.
Where flammable liquids are dispensed, transferred or used:Limit quantities in work area to a one-day supply. Use UL listed or FM approved safety cans at point of use.
Provide good ventilation.
Eliminate all sources of ignition, (i.e., smoking, welding, heaters, electrical, etc.)
Use bonding and ground wires when dispensing from drums or tanks to protect against static sparks.
Only dispense or transfer using approved/listed equipment, such as a hand drum
Pump or a safety faucet on a gravity dispensing drum. Use proper grounding and Bonding wires.
Flammable Aerosols

Flammable aerosols are more hazardous than most flammable liquids because aerosol containers rupture explosively when exposed to sufficient heat. Exploding containers become projectiles spraying burning liquids over a wide area causing multiple fires. Control the hazards of aerosols by:

Keeping inventory as low as practical.
Isolate storage, e.g., store larger quantities small, detached building, or in separated dedicated area with barriers to contain exploding cans. Smaller quantities can be stored in enclosed, noncombustible bins or flammable liquid storage cabinets.
Protect storage areas with a wet pipe automatic sprinkler system.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (propane and butane)
Liquefied petroleum gas should be stored outside of buildings and enclosed by a fence to prevent tampering by unauthorized individuals.
Liquefied petroleum gas bulk retail storage should not be stored within 10 feet of a building opening or combustible materials.

Fire Protection
The first five minutes of any fire may be more important than the next five hours. In case of any fire, the fire department should be called immediately. Then, use fire extinguishers to control or extinguish the fire. Many businesses have been destroyed by small fires that got out of control by the time the fire department arrived. All premises should have approved fire extinguishers.

1. Fire extinguishing Agents By Class of Fire

Class A- Water,
Multipurpose Dry Chemical (ABC)

Class B- Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical (BC)
Multipurpose Dry Chemical (ABC)

Class C- Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical (BC)
Multipurpose Dry Chemical (ABC)

Class D- Special Dry Powder Compound

Class A- Class A fires are fires in ordinary combustible materials, including wood,
Cloth, paper and rubber.

Class B- Class B fires are fires in flammable liquids, gases and greases.

      Class C- Class C fires are fires which involve energized electrical equipment where
      The electrical nonconductivity of the extinguishing media is of importance.

Class D- Class D fires are fires in combustible metals, including magnesium, titanium, sodium and potassium. Conventional type extinguishers are not effective.

Place extinguishers of appropriate types at required locations. Multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers (class ABC) may normally be used in all locations, except for class D fires.

For ordinary hazard occupancies, one extinguisher with a 2A rating is required for each 3,000sq ft. The maximum travel distance to an extinguisher should be 75 ft.

2. Maintenance

Inspect extinguishers monthly to insure they are in their designated places, have not been actuated or tampered with, and detect any obvious physical damage, corrosion or other impairments.
A more thorough annual maintenance inspection should be done and recorded on tag attached to the extinguishers. This should be completed by a qualified service contractor.
Replace damaged and worn extinguisher hoses with new hoses.
Inspect and weigh carbon dioxide and dry chemical extinguishers annually to determine if they are full.
Extinguishers should be kept full at all times and should be recharged immediately.
Hang extinguishers in conspicuous and easily accessible locations, preferably near exits.

Note: Since 1971, fire extinguishers of the inverting type (soda-acid, foam, loaded stream cartridge) have not been manufactured. Because of their poor performance record, replace existing units with approved extinguishers- indicated above.

Structural
There may be structural hazards in your building which make it more subject to fire loss
than other buildings. This is particularly so when there are open stairways where fire can
spread rapidly through the building, or where damaged chimneys may permit overheating
of nearby combustibles.
1.   Vertical Openings
      Open stairs, elevators, utility and ventilation shafts, etc. all cause natural drafts that
      Tend to accelerate the spread of fire from floor to floor. To reduce the hazard of a
      Rapidly spreading fire, protect openings as follows:

Make doors on stairways and elevators close automatically by the use of springs, chains or pulleys and weights.
Keep openings to attics tightly closed.
All holes in plaster or gypsum wallboard should be repaired. Such openings allow fire to gain ready access to concealed wall spaces.
Seal openings around pipes and ducts with noncombustible packing and grout and/or fire retardant mastic.
Fit ventilation shafts with automatic closing fire dampers.

2.   Horizontal Openings
      Fire walls and fire partitions can effectively limit the spread of fire provided all
      Openings are protected or sealed. To protect against the horizontal spread of fire:

Periodically inspect fire doors to assure proper operation and to eliminate any any obstructions.
Seal openings around pipes and ducts with noncombustible packing and grout and/or fire retardant mastic.
Inspect recent building renovations or modifications for combustible construction that might bridge or extended through fire walls and/or for unprotected openings through fire walls.
Check that fire partition walls extend from floor to underside of roof, rather than to stop just above a suspended ceiling.

3. Chimneys

Unused thimbles are a problem with old masonry chimneys. Locate and fill them with mortar and masonry built up to the same thickness as the chimney wall.
All mortar joints should be solid. Fallen mortar should be replaced to prevent open joints and loose bricks.
Repair cracks in chimney
Sweep and clean chimneys annually.
Do not connect a solid fuel stove to the same fuel serving appliances burning other fuels.

Miscellaneous Hazards
There are a number of hazardous conditions that can be eliminated by good housekeeping and by cultivating good fire safety habits.

1. Housekeeping

Accumulation of combustible materials and disorderly arrangement contribute to the rapid spread of fire. All areas should be kept clean and orderly.
Keep aisles clear at all times as an escape route and to provide firefighters ready access in case of fire.
Cobwebs contribute to the rapid spread of fire. Remove them.
Rubbish may be conducive to spontaneous combustion as well as greatly increasing the intensity of a fire. Remove any accumulation.
Covered metal waste cans should be provided to take care of rubbish and should emptied daily.
Remove old equipment, furniture, fixtures, etc. that are obsolete. Material worth worth saving should be neatly arranged with proper aisle space.
Remove waste paper from the premises daily.
Mops, rags and waste with oil or paint on them should be kept in standard metal cans with a ventilated air space underneath and self closing lids. Because these materials are subject to spontaneous heating they should be disposed of regularly, daily if necessary.
Keep combustible or used sweeping compound in a closed metal can.
Keep large quantities of new packing materials in covered metal cans or in metal-lined bins with automatic closing covers. Used or waste packing materials should be disposed of as promptly as possible.
Remove boxes and packing cases from the premises daily. Packing and unpacking should be controlled and orderly to prevent accumulation of debris. When boxes are used for delivery or other purposes, store them neatly in a wire enclosure away from all potential sources of ignition.
Light bulbs should be at least 2 inches from combustible material. Do not use paper shades. Light bulbs are hot enough to ignite nearby combustibles over a period of time.

2.   Ashes
      Store ashes in a noncombustible container. Many fires have been started by hot
      Embers in the ashes igniting their container.

3. Light wells and openings to Basement Windows light wells are convenient places for leaves, paper and trash to accumulate. Because of this a carelessly discarded cigarette or match, or mischievous children can start a fire that may destroy your building. Remove trash and combustible materials from light wells. Install a ¼ inch
wire mesh screen under grating over light wells to prevent further rubbish accumulation.

4.   Smoking
      Smoking and careless disposal of cigarettes and matches are leading causes of fires in
      All classes of business. Smoking should not be permitted in hazardous areas. Post
      “No smoking” signs in hazardous areas. Establish designated smoking areas and
      Provide ample ash trays or ash cans.

5.   Grass and Weed Control
      Tall grass, dry weeds and bushes present a definite fire hazard. Control or remove
      Such vegetation.

6. Life Safety

Early warning fire/smoke/products of combustion detectors are recommended for habitational occupancies.
Exits and egress routes should be clearly marked and kept free and clear.
Install emergency lighting where warranted.

Source:Sentry Insurance