Fires can cause serious losses not only in property, but also in lives. A 1991 fire that raged through a poultry-processing plant in Hamlet, North Carolina, left 25 employees dead and 55 injured. Incidents like this shock the entire nation and serve as a reminder of the need for ongoing fire safety programs.
Fire Safety Preparation
- Top management should enforce all fire safety precautions.
- Inspect your facility for fire hazards. Contact the local fire department or your insurance company, and use your own employees to conduct walk-through inspections
- Correct any deficiencies.
- Identify processes and materials that could cause a fire, add fuel to a fire or contaminate the environment in a fire.
- Have proper controls in place, including:
- UL-listed or FM-approved flammable liquid containers. Provide a properly designed flammable liquid storage room or flammable liquid storage cabinets when large quantities of flammables are required.
- A building sprinkler system. Check it regularly, chain the valves and lock in the open position.
- Fire extinguishers. Service them on a regular basis. Train selected employees on proper use.
- Fire fighting equipment. Welding and cutting operations generate heat, sparks and slag. Keep safety equipment nearby
- Don’t allow extension cords to become permanent wiring.
- Maintain good housekeeping throughout the interior and exterior of the building.
- Establish and enforce a no smoking policy.
- Conduct evacuation drills. Post evacuation route maps in prominent places.
- Maintain clear access to all exits. Keep exits unlocked during work hours.
- Have emergency phone numbers readily available.
- Establish a system for warning employees of a fire. Install a fire alarm with automatic notification to the fire department.
- Establish a preventative maintenance schedule to keep equipment and operations running safely.
- Consider doing InfraRed (IR) testing of equipment and electrical apparatus to detect potential problems.
- Identify and mark all utility shutoffs so electrical power, gas or water can be shut off quickly by fire wardens or responding personnel.
- Assign a competent member of top management, and a back-up person, to be the authorized spokesperson to meet with news media and fire investigation personnel.
During A Fire
- Immediately contact the fire department.
- Follow your plan and evacuate the building.
- Account for all employees, visitors and customers.
- If the fire is small, some of your trained employees might be able to use fire extinguishers to control or extinguish the fire.
- Once the fire department arrives, they take control. Follow their instructions.
After A Fire
- Contact your insurance company.
- Take steps to prevent additional loss.
- Keep employees informed on repair and start-up plans.
Source -Sentry Insurance