Following are the different ways to assess fire safety.
- Ensure that enough escape routes are available.
The fundamental guideline of fire safety is that there must be enough escape routes out of the structure in proportion to its size and population. NBC – National Building Code 2005, a precise collection of principles for designing, managing, and operating buildings of all sorts, specifies the size, number and position of exits.
In order to be successful in a crisis, office occupiers must also ensure that stairwells, staircases, and hallways are well-maintained, vented, and clear of impediments.
In the event of a fire, open areas in buildings are extremely important.
- Draw a clear route to the escape doors.
It’s just as crucial to get to escapes as it is to have adequate exits.
The maximum distances a person must walk to reach a fire escape is specified by NBC requirements, as is the need for photo-luminescent signs for nighttime evacuation.
When individuals are instructed to exit the premises in phases, refuge places such as terrace are vital for elevated where people may safely assemble.
- Installing smoke detection systems is a good idea.
When it comes to putting out a fire, the initial few minutes are important.
Automatic fire detection systems, such as heat and smoke detectors, are required by international building rules and are especially beneficial in detecting fire when the building’s occupancy is low.
- Keep smoke suppression systems in good working order.
Fire extinguishers are only helpful if they operate, so make sure they’re in good working order.
Automatic fire extinguishers should be installed in high-rise buildings, which are more difficult to reach and evacuate.
Automatic suppression systems, according to the NFPA – National Fire Protection Association, a non-profit organisation based in the United States, decrease the cost of destruction by 60%.
- Regularly practise fire drills
It’s just as important to avoid fear and confusion in a case of emergencies as it is to stay away from smoke and fumes.
Regular fire drills are a low-cost way to familiarise people with evacuation procedures.
To make sure that this becomes standard procedure, designate a fire safety officer in each building.
- In the interiors, use flame-resistant materials.
Interior materials have the potential to save or put lives at risk. Workstations are extremely flammable due to the combination of timber, paper, and textile products. Fabrics, on the other hand, can be made fire-retardant so that they self-extinguish when ignited.
Fire-resistance rank is also allocated to doors, indicating how long they can withstand extreme temps and fires without collapsing.
- Firefighters should be able to access your office.
Residents of residential buildings with very few escape routes should be cautious about locking themselves into enclosed spaces in their offices.
- Keep the blueprints for the construction handy.
It’s critical to have multiple copies of your construction project on hand, especially in the event of an emergency.
- Request a safety inspection from the local fire department.
For a small fee, fire stations will assess the fire protection in your building. Hazardous or combustible materials in containers, old and unsteady structures, insufficient escape routes, or electric power overloads are all potential death traps that should be evaluated by professionals.
