Facilities Check List
Practical, step-by-step guides for the busy FM
March 2001
Fire Prevention and Emergency Action Plans
Every year fires cause thousands of deaths and injuries and billions of dollars in property damage. Owners and managers therefore need to establish a well-designed fire prevention and emergency action program. Such a program can reduce or eliminate fires in a building by heightening the fire safety awareness of all people in the building.
The emergency action plan must include the following:
- Emergency escape procedures and escape route assignments
- Procedures for employees who remain to implement critical plant operations before they evacuate the building
- Procedures to account for all employees after emergency evacuation has been completed
- Assignments of rescue and medical duties for designated employees Preferred methods of reporting fires and other emergencies
- Lists of people or departments responsible for implementing the plan
OSHA regulations also require the employer to review the plan with each employee initially, when the employee’s responsibilities or designated actions under the plan change, and when the plan is changed.
Specifications for employee emergency plans and fire prevention plans are set forth in OSHA regulations 29 CFR 1910.38(a) and referred to in 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(1). The emergency action plan must be in writing (except when there are fewer than ten employees) and must cover actions that employers and employees have to take to ensure safety from fire and other emergencies.
Fire Prevention Plan
The fire prevention plan should be an integral part of the emergency action plan. Because each building is unique, owners or managers should contact their local fire departments or a fire consultant to develop a fire prevention plan for their buildings. The elements that constitute the basis for a fire prevention plan are:
- Identification and control of major workplace fire hazards
- Identification of persons responsible for preventing or controlling fire hazards
Inspections
Once a fire prevention plan has been adopted, regular inspections should be conducted. Some of the features to be inspected are:
- Smoking habits of employees, people who may be working for the owner, people
- living in the building, and people working in businesses located in the building
- Electrical equipment, wiring, controls, et cetera
- Fire alarm systems
- Fire-extinguishing equipment
- Integrity of building construction
- Use of fireproofing materials
- Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
- Materials storage
- Housekeeping practices
- Use of flammable materials
- Security
- Construction activities in the building (painting, cutting, welding, for instance)
- Waste removal
Training
Another part of a fire prevention plan is the training of building maintenance personnel and people who work or live in the building. The topics covered should include:
- Use and disposal of tobacco smoking materials
- Checking for frayed electrical cords and faulty appliances
- Proper use of electrical equipment
- Unplugging coffee pots and other heating equipment when not in use
- Correct storage of materials
- Proper use of fire extinguishers
- Procedures used to activate the building fire alarm system
- Familiarity with the evacuation plan
Many building fires can be prevented through good housekeeping practices. Although a well-trained custodial staff is the key to safe housekeeping methods, all building employees can make significant contributions to fire prevention.
General precautions include:
- Storing trash and other waste in covered metal containers
- Keeping all areas clean
- Storing hazardous substances only in designated locations
- Keeping flammables in proper containers and storing them in the proper location
- Preventing trash from collecting
- Keeping exits lighted and clear of obstructions
- Keeping stairs clear
- Keeping doors to stairwells closed to prevent a “chimney” effect
Again, planning and preparing before emergencies occur should be the rule. For instance, exits should be well marked and kept clear. Exit drills should be conducted wherever or whenever possible to avoid confusion and to ensure the safe evacuation of all occupants during a fire.
In summary, good, sound planning is the key to success in being prepared for fire emergencies.
