Fire drills are disruptive to building activities, they’re also a necessary life safety practice for your premises. Building fires can spread rapidly, and being well-versed in evacuating a building stands a much better chance of safely escaping a fire.
Fire drills should not only involve evacuating personnel from the building; instead, they should be part of an overall fire safety plan that includes documenting fire protection equipment and procedures as well as controlling fire hazards throughout the building. All Protect Systems, Inc. can help your residential or commercial building develop a customized fire safety plan. Call them today and find out what they can do for you.
Perform Fire Drills a Minimum of Once Each Year
It might seem like a lot if you’re not in the habit of holding fire drills, but without regular practice, a fire evacuation can be a chaotic event. Besides enhancing occupant safety, the exercises also encourage management to think of themselves as part of a team and to be conscious of fire as a real and present danger. There’s no better detection for potential fire hazards than the alert eyes of the people who occupy the building every day.
Have a Plan for the Drill
Fire drills need to be planned and organized. Ensure that occupants are aware of the various fire exits throughout the facility. Most people use the same entry doors every day, so they tend to rely on habit in an emergency. A plan allows them to access the best egress in their location.
Ontario 213/07 is the fire code created under the Fire and Prevention Act of 1997. It details the legal requirements to which all types of premises must adhere.
Subsection 2.8.2 stipulates the requirements for a Fire Safety Plan. Part of this plan demands that the occupant appoint and train a supervisory staff responsible for performing safety duties and instructing other occupants about their responsibilities during a fire emergency. Other requirements during a fire include:
Audible fire alarm activation
Fire department notification
Occupant instruction during the fire alarm
Evacuation of occupants including those with special needs
Usage of elevators
Fire control
Depending on the building structure and type of activity, your company may need to develop a fire safety plan and have it approved by the authority having jurisdiction. Keep this plan stored in an approved location and review it whenever necessary. You still must review it at least once per year to consider any building changes that have taken place.
Make Emergency Procedures Visible
All buildings are required to post emergency fire procedures on each floor, and hotels have additional requirements. If your building’s fire alarm is not monitored, you must post a legible sign next to each manual fire alarm pull station with instructions to contact the fire department. The sign must include the local emergency telephone number or the number of the local fire department.
Fire drills should be part of a larger fire safety plan required by Ontario law. Capable administrators must either develop these plans themselves or delegate this responsibility to trained professionals. The team at All Protect Systems, Inc. are experts at developing fire safety plans. By staying abreast of any changes in technology or code requirements, they can help keep your building and personnel safe. They’re a full-service fire protection provider in the Ontario area, serving Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Elmira, New Hamburg, Wellesley, Listowel, Stratford, Woodstock, and surrounding areas. Call them today for an evaluation of your current fire safety plan.
According to the second law of thermodynamics, it’s natural for everything to break down and deteriorate all by itself. Fire extinguishers are no exception to this rule. It might still look the same as the day you bought it, looks can be deceiving, and degradation is happening continuously. While the lifespan of your fire extinguisher depends on various factors, you can generally expect them to last between 5-15 years.
5-15 years may seem like a wide discrepancy, but several factors contribute to the expected lifespan of your fire extinguisher. Regular inspections and maintenance by a qualified fire extinguisher technician can take the guesswork out of your vital life safety devices. Conveniently located in Waterloo, Ontario, All Protect Systems Inc serves much of the surrounding area. Call them today to find out how they can help keep your home or business safe.
Expiration Date
A time-honored tradition for any product with a life expectancy is always to check the expiration date. Look for a paper tag attached to the handle of the extinguisher. Even if the tag doesn’t explicitly state a date of expiration, it should have some date on it. If that day was more than ten years ago, it’s probably time to replace your unit. If no tag is apparent, there might be a date code imprinted on the equipment. If the numbers don’t make sense, don’t be afraid to look up the model number on the internet and see what information is available.
Pressure Gauge
While not all fire extinguishers have gauges, most do. Look for the indicator on top of the handle. It will show you the amount of pressure left in the tank. They usually have a red (empty) and green (full) section, so as long as the pointer is in the green area, your equipment should have enough material to function correctly.
Extinguisher Damage
Hopefully, you keep your fire extinguisher in a safe environment. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible. Fires can happen anywhere, and you need to keep extinguishers near the most likely places. Such locations are often subject to physical damage or environmental corrosion of your unit.
Harmful chemicals, extreme temperatures, or other factors can cause the rubber hose or nozzle on your equipment to deteriorate and crack over time. This process occurs slowly, and you probably won’t notice it. Periodic inspections by a trained professional are invaluable in these circumstances.
Your fire extinguisher can also get knocked off its bracket by an inadvertent collision with an enthusiastic employee. Even if you try to mount your extinguishers away from high traffic areas, such accidents are common. Damage to a fire extinguisher may not be evident to the untrained eye. Locking pins go missing. Handles become wobbly or loose, and debris can clog the nozzle. It’s a good idea to assign a specific employee the responsibility of monthly or quarterly inspections of all your life safety equipment.
Different Types of Fire Extinguishers
Some types of fire extinguishers last longer than others. You shouldn’t expect pressurized water, carbon dioxide, and wet chemical extinguishers to last longer than three years. Dry chemical extinguishers, on the other hand, should last at least 12 years. The type of extinguishing agent in your equipment should be visible on your tank.
Fire Extinguishers are the type of thing we tend to ignore until our lives depend on them. Unfortunately, we need to pay attention to them before they become critical for survival. Keep complete records of your maintenance and expiration dates of all your fire extinguishing equipment, and service them when necessary. If you would prefer to delegate this responsibility to a trained professional, call the experts at All Protect Systems Inc. They offer complete solutions to all your property and life safety protection systems.
The first gas detection systems were very primitive. One man on a mining crew would walk down a mine shaft with a lit torch and cover himself with a wet blanket. If he encountered dangerous gas, the flame would ignite it, and the damp blanket would protect him. Of course, the protection frequently failed, and many men were lost.
Gas detection systems eventually improved to where canaries replaced men. The canaries reacted loudly to the presence of gas before it became harmful to humans. Though undoubtedly cruel to the birds, it saved many men’s lives. Fortunately, modern technologies have come a long way since those early days. However, unlike their predecessors, contemporary gas detection systems require regular calibrations. The expert team of technicians at All Protect Systems are registered with the Canadian Fire Alarm Association and are up to date with the latest standards and codes.
Canadian Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHS)
The Canadian OHS has strict rules governing the use of gas detection systems, and enterprises must conform to these safety regulations. Besides using the appropriate gas detection equipment for your location, you must have them calibrated regularly, not just at the time of installation. Some manufacturers only require semi-annual or quarterly calibration, while others recommend monthly service. The OHS may conduct random visits to your place of business, or they may respond to an employee complaint.
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
The IEC is the international standards organization responsible for all fields of electrotechnology. Their bulletin titled IEC 60079-29-2:2015 gives strict instructions for selecting, installing, using, and maintaining gas detection equipment in both groups one and two. Group one includes equipment measuring flammable gases in underground coal mines, and group two covers electrical devices used in industrial and commercial applications.
Gas Detectors Require Proper Maintenance
Don’t be lulled into complacency by the old adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Both managers and workers can take the proper functioning of a piece of equipment for granted. Since the squeaky wheel always gets the grease, regular calibration for an otherwise reliable gas detector may get overlooked during routine preventative maintenance schedules. Though natural, this is absolutely the wrong thing to do.
Some workers in plant environments even consider their sense of smell to be superior to the gas detection equipment. Just because someone noticed a gas smell before a detector once upon a time, that doesn’t make it a safe method for something as life-threatening as dangerous gas. Some harmful gases (like carbon monoxide) are odorless, and by the time you smell something, it may be too late.
Why Gas Detectors Need Regular Calibration
A catalytic sensor’s performance usually degrades and fails from exposure to industrial toxins. Your gas detection equipment is in that environment for a reason, and over time, even safe amounts of these chemicals will ruin your sensors. Calibrate them on schedule or even sooner if they show abnormal signs of wear, or anytime they have been bumped, dropped, or knocked over.
Trained technicians must perform these checks using a precise standard gas mixture. The controller’s zero and span levels must be tuned accurately. While the older and less-expensive systems required two people to perform the calibration, one technician can service modern, high-quality models.
Regardless of whatever type of gas you’re monitoring, or which kind of sensor you’re using, do yourself a favor and have them calibrated regularly. While it may seem redundant and unnecessary, calibrated equipment can reduce your workplace risks and save the lives of your most valuable assets, your employees. Please consider the professionals at All Protect Systems. Located in Waterloo, Ontario, they service the surrounding area. Call them today to schedule your gas detection system calibration!
Fire extinguishers are a vital part of any safe workplace, but not everyone knows how to use them. Proper knowledge and training of how to operate a fire extinguisher could save critical minutes in an emergency, and make the difference in getting employees to safety. Ensure that everyone in your workplace is properly trained on how to use a fire extinguisher, by following a few simple guidelines.
There are two key components to training employees
on how to use fire extinguishers – making sure that training is done correctly
and consistently. Correct training means having a skilled instructor who
understands the technical equipment and fire code regulations and can answer
any questions your staff may have. Consistent training involves having regular
meetings and updates to refresh workers’ knowledge of the equipment.
We recommend bringing in a fire safety
professional to provide fire extinguisher training. The correct use of a fire
extinguisher should include knowledge of the P.A.S.S. system, which is an
acronym for “Pass, Aim, Squeeze, Swap.” Make sure that you and your staff are
comfortable with these four steps:
Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher.
Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the trigger in a controlled manner.
Sweep the nozzle of the fire extinguisher from side to side to
cover the entire area.
We strongly suggest employees commit the P.A.S.S.
system to memory, and that you or a department supervisor test your employees
on a regular basis. However, operating instructions for fire extinguishers
should also be clearly visible for anyone who may be a position to use the fire
extinguishers in your workplace. Section 6.1.2.3 (1) of the Ontario Fire Code requires
that portable fire extinguishers be mounted so they are visible and accessible
at all times, while Section 6.2.4.4 states that operating instructions for extinguishers
should face outward for visibility when extinguishers are located in cabinets, shelves
or wall recesses.
But there is more to fire extinguisher safety than just knowing how to operate the extinguisher. Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
(WSPS) recommends that proper fire
extinguisher training should include learning the locations of extinguishers, the
types of fire most likely to occur in the workplace and the proper
extinguishers to use in each instance, markings on fire extinguishers, the
importance of sounding fire alarms, health and safety hazards, protective
equipment and more.
WSPS provides resources on fire extinguisher safety, including consulting
services and online courses. The team at All Protect Systems
Inc. can also
provide information about resources and training for employee fire safety.
Consistency is important when it comes to training both new and old employees. Training
should be scheduled regularly in the workplace, at a minimum of once a year. Retraining
can be scheduled as often as needed. Look at each training session as an
opportunity to build confidence in your staff’s emergency skills. Fire safety
training should also be included in the training and orientation of all new
employees.
Remember that different people learn in different ways, so be prepared to
provide more than one method of training. Hands-on training is always
effective, allowing employees to handle and operate the fire extinguishers
themselves. However, it’s also helpful to provide written instructions, links
to videos, and the opportunity to talk one-one-one with a fire safety expert,
so staff can absorb knowledge in the way that works for them.
A workplace emergency, like a fire, can be a
stressful and chaotic time for both employees and supervisors. Proper training
about fire procedures and equipment can help everyone to handle the crisis
safely and smoothly. Contact the team at All Protect Systems Inc. if you
have any questions about fire extinguisher training, equipment or workplace
safety. We’ll be happy to work with you to make your workplace a safer place
for your employees.
A building emergency such as a fire can be a chaotic experience for people – emotions run high and everyone is sent into panic mode. That’s why emergency and exit lights need to be kept in top shape, in order to guide people to safety quickly and effectively. Regular testing of your emergency and exit lights will help to ensure they’re working correctly, which will in turn prevent problems and even save lives. Here is what to keep in mind when checking your emergency and exit lights.
Do a Battery Test
Emergency and exit lights are powered by the building’s regular electrical supply, but they’re also outfitted with batteries in case the power supply fails. Most emergency and exit lights have a small button that makes battery testing easy. Look for a button that says “push to test” on the casing. Press this button down to test both the battery and the lights on the unit. There may also be remote lights connected to this unit. If the lights dim or flicker during this test, they should be serviced promptly by your fire and life safety service provider.
It’s important to hold the test button for long enough in order to perform the test correctly. Defective batteries can still hold enough charge to work for a period, which gives the illusion that they’re working. This could prove to be dangerous in an emergency if they fail after only a short time frame, so the longer the test the better, ideally a full thirty minutes. This test should be completed monthly in accordance with Subsection 2.7.3 of the Ontario Fire Code.
Check Your Equipment
There’s more to the emergency and exit
lights than meets the eye, and it’s important to inspect all aspects of the equipment.
Check that all parts around the light and light casing are clear of dust,
debris and corrosion. Check that equipment is securely connected and that there
is no loose wiring anywhere.
Once you’ve fully inspected all
emergency and exit lights in your building, locate the circuit breaker and
check it as well. Ensure that the circuit breakers or fuses that supply power
to your emergency lights are working properly. Perform a 30-minute equipment test
annually with the help of a certified professional. The 30-minute test
is conductedby turning off the circuit breakers and checking that the
emergency and exit lights remain lit on battery power for the full duration. Also
ensure that emergency exit breakers are properly labelled in your circuit panel
– this is a simple step that could be extremely important if someone needs to
locate them in an emergency.
Be Consistent and Diligent
The Ontario Fire Code states that emergency and exit lighting must be conducted monthly, and a minimum 30-minute equipment load test be conducted annually, to ensure they can perform properly if the building’s electrical supply fails. Consistent attention to this schedule will ensure that you don’t miss an inspection. Schedule the dates in your appointment calendar for the entire year and make note of when an inspection is coming up. Testing and maintenance needs to be documented in your Fire Log Book, to be maintained on the premises.
Perform your
emergency and exit light inspections along with other safety devices, like
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as it’s often easier to do things all at
once. We also suggest assigning a second person/employee to do this job with
you – having another person involved not only makes the job easier but holds
you accountable to make sure the task is completed regularly.
We’ve provided you with all the tips you need to perform a monthly test, as well as surrounding equipment checks. Ontario Fire Code Regulation 213/07 requires annual inspections be performed and documented by a certified fire protection service professional, like those at All Protect Systems Inc. To schedule your annual inspections or discuss any questions you may have about your emergency/exit lighting and safety equipment, contact the staff at All Protect Systems Inc. today.
The last thing most people expect to happen at work is a fire or any
other kind of disaster, but the truth is they happen on a regular basis in
offices all over the world.
A workplace can actually be a life-threatening environment if a fire
does break out. This is why company leaders and workers need to know how to
conduct fire drills the right way in the workplace.
One of the best methods to prepare everyone for a real emergency is to
schedule fire drills on a regular basis so that knowing how to safely leave the
premises is second nature to all involved.
Fire drills help workers to be aware of how to get out of the office in
the event of any emergency, such as a natural disaster or an armed intruder on
the premises.
The art of repetition
The great majority of schools hold regular fire drills every few months.
These drills are repeated so frequently so that the routine actually becomes a
habit and in the event of a real emergency taking place children will know
precisely what they need to do without thinking.
Complacency can even lead to ignorance of basic safety knowledge such as
the location of fire exits. In some cases fire exit doors may be jammed or
partly blocked. Issues such as these will be exposed by regular fire drills.
Create a detailed plan
It is crucial to come up with a detailed fire evacuation plan before you
start holding regular fire drills. You will have to imagine the possibilities
of where a fire may start in your building, such as in the kitchen or
warehouse, or if your business could be at risk from natural events such as
wildfires during the summer months.
How to do it
Once the plan has been drawn up the next step is to make sure that you
have an established fire team who know what to do in order to ensure the
success of your fire drill.
It is also crucial that every employee is aware of why the fire drill is
important or you risk them failing to take it seriously.
The drill should be announced in places where it will be seen by all
employees and scheduled on your firm’s Google or Outlook calendar.
What are you hoping to achieve?
It is important to have clear goals that you want to achieve for a fire
drill. These goals and standards can then be improved upon in subsequent
drills. If it takes fifteen minutes for all employees to exit the building on the
first fire drill, try and find it why it took so long and take steps to reduce
that time on the next drill.
Measurable metrics include how long the evacuation took, how long it
took to report that the drill had been completed and if all equipment was successfully
shut down.
Where to go
Every employee needs to be accounted for away from the building for a
fire drill to be considered a success. There needs to be pre-chosen rally point
at a strategic outside location. Several rally points may need to be selected
for big companies, with every point having its own individual fire team leader.
In the event an employee is not present, predetermined reporting protocols
should be followed and the whole fire team and authorities alerted.
Observers
Several employees should be selected to observe your fire drills. These
observers need to look out for issues such as large groups dawdling, people
using mobile devices, people choosing to leave via a less convenient exit and
if disabled employees find it more difficult to open doors or use stairs.
Get in touch with All Protect Systems today to discuss how they can
assist with the preparation of fire drills in your company that could save
lives.
There are several different fire extinguishers, as there are different
types of fire. The extinguisher must use a product that is suited to the
material that is being burned, such as metal, paper, plastic or wood.
It is important to establish the classification of the fire very quickly
so as to be able to work out what needs to be done to fight it.
Types of fire
Fires fall into five different types named A, B, C, D and K, depending
on the substance or material that is the site of the fire.
Class A fires involve standard combustible material such as cloth,
paper, plastics, rubber or wood. This creates embers that result in the
production of either a quick combustion including flames or a slow combustion
that is actually flameless.
Class B fires involve gases, lacquers, liquids, oil or paints that are
combustible or flammable and burn without producing any smouldering or flames.
Class C fires involve live electrical devices such as appliances, power
tools or motors.
Class D fires involve metals that are combustible such as the likes of
magnesium, potassium, sodium and titanium. These fires can be especially
hazardous as they may explode upon exposure to water.
Class K fires involve fats within cooking appliances or cooking oils
that are combustible, and are actually the most common form of fire.
The difference between the fires makes it all the more important to
ensure you choose the correct fire extinguisher if you intend to try to fight
it.
The importance of choosing the
correct fire extinguisher
Businesses can choose a variety of different fire extinguishers,
including ones that are low hazard, high hazard or medium hazard. Low hazard
fire extinguishers are usually suitable for areas such as the guest areas in
hotels and traditional offices.
High hazard fire extinguishers can be helpful in manufacturing
environments or other any form of business that may make use of flammable
liquids. Medium hazard fire extinguishers are best suited for the likes of
storage areas, car showrooms and light manufacturing environments.
Portable fire extinguisher types
Portable fire extinguishers have different capabilities, limitations and
individual characteristics. The three main varieties of portable fire
extinguisher are water extinguishers, CO2 extinguishers and dry chemical
extinguishers.
Fire extinguishers that use water are composed of two-thirds water which
is then pressurized with the use of air. These extinguishers are ideal for use
with Class A fires as they able to remove the heat from the materials that are
on fire. Water should never be used in electrical fires as water conducts
electricity and will increase the danger of electrocution.
C02 (carbon dioxide) fire extinguishers uses, as the name suggests,
pressurised CO2 to put out fires. CO2 fire extinguishers can be used on Class B
and Class C fires. The CO2 actually blankets the fire, displacing the oxygen
and thus stopping the reaction on the surface. CO2 fire extinguishers only have
an average range and last between ten to thirty seconds at the most, making it
important to be thorough.
C02 fire extinguishers are not advised for use in confined areas as it
can displace the oxygen within the air as well as the fire, making it hard to
breathe.
Dry chemical extinguishers are commonly available and are marked for the
fire class they are intended to put out (which can include Class A, B and C).
Fine powder is discharged in a blanket to break up the oxygen and the fuel and
stop the chemical reaction. These extinguishers also have an average range and
accurate use is essential.
Fire extinguishers should only be used after everyone on the premises
has been alerted of the emergency and are leaving the building, the fire
department has been called and safe exit from the building has been assured.
Fires happen at an alarming rate, with the official figures only further
emphasizing just how important it actually is for businesses to have strict
fire prevention and safety measures in place. Such measures have been embraced
by Canada, the United States and many other countries all over the world,
because there is no safer way to deal with fire than to prevent one from
happening in the first place.
To this end, fire departments conduct annual inspections of buildings in
order to ensure they are in compliance with current legal standards in regards
to fire safety and to assess and mitigate any potential fire hazards in such
properties. The way in which such inspections are performed by fire inspector
can however be different depending on the area, which only makes it all the
more important for businesses to ensure that all areas of inspection are up to
code.
What will be checked?
Things that fire inspectors are likely to check during annual fire
safety inspections include the likes of the condition of equipment pertaining
to fire safety such as emergency lighting, fire alarms and sprinkler systems.
Other things that should be inspected during annual fire safety
inspections include fire hazards, potential access for fire fighters in the
event a fire does break out on the premises and any life safety issues.
Fire extinguishers
Many facilities run into trouble during annual fire inspections due to
the condition of their fire extinguishers, which may be inoperable, placed in
positions that are hard to see or find, or which may simply not be present in
enough quantity.
It is vital that all fire extinguishers on the premises be hung in the
correct position and that there are enough extinguishers to comply with the
fire safety code requirement. A lot of businesses actually fail to realise that
their fire extinguishers have to be inspected and tagged on an annual basis,
but if a well trained Fire Protection Company such as All Protect Systems
performs this service, then this aspect of the annual fire inspection should be
passed with no problems.
Emergency lighting
Another thing that should be inspected during an annual fire safety
inspection is the state of the emergency lighting on the premises. If a
building is plunged into darkness during any kind of emergency situation, and
the emergency lighting fails to switch on when it is supposed to do so, the
result can be panic that will make the situation even more perilous for
everyone inside.
Thus an inspection of the emergency lighting in a building should be
carried out on an annual basis, usually at the same time as the annual inspection
of the fire extinguishers.
Sprinkler systems
An annual fire safety inspection should also see an inspection carried
out on the sprinkler system of a building, in addition to an internal
inspection that should take place every five years. A Fire Protection Company
such as All Protect Systems will be able to advise your company’s maintenance
crew on the minimum requirements that your sprinkler system must be able to
meet in order to pass an annual fire safety inspection.
Easy access
An annual fire inspection will inevitably check to make sure that all
exit doors are easy to open from within the building, as seconds can mean live
lost or saved during an emergency situation such as a fire. It is imperative
than an exit door does not need a key or access code to be opened, and that it
is not blocked in any way.
The same issue with obstructions also applies to the likes of aisles,
pathways, stairways and walkways, all of which must be clear and the blocking
of any emergency egress in any way will result in automatic failure of an
annual fire inspection.
Talk to All Protect Systems today in order to ensure your building is in compliance of fire safety codes and will pass an annual fire safety inspection.
You never know when an emergency will happen. This is why you have to plan in advance and have an emergency exit plan in place.
Simply having exit signs and an alarm system isn’t enough. People have to know what to do and who to follow when the worst happens.
During a time when it’s easy to panic, you’ll be glad to have a plan in place. By covering five key components, it’ll be easier for everyone to make it to safety faster.
Emergency Exit Plan Required
Before you think it’s not that important, know that the Ontario Fire Code requires buildings covered under section 2.1.1.2 and 2.8.1.1 to have a fire safety code in place. Without one that covers all necessary requirements, you could face hefty fines in the event of a fire or related emergency.
1. Sounding The Alarm
What happens when an emergency starts? Confusion is your worst enemy. The first key component of your emergency exit plan should cover the steps necessary to notify everyone of the emergency.
This includes sounding alarms and notifying local emergency personnel. Unless everyone knows there is an emergency, everyone can’t get out safely. The sooner everyone takes action, the quicker you can evacuate.
2. The Best Exits
Your emergency exit plan should include drills that help occupants learn the paths to the best exits for different areas and floors. If you have employees or occupants who often work in varying areas and floors, ensure they practice the drills in different areas and are trained on the proper exits.
One key part of this is to explain when elevators are appropriate and when stairs are the best option. After all, you don’t want occupants getting stuck in the elevator during an emergency.
Naturally, all exits should be clearly marked, making it easier to evacuate.
3. Evacuating Special Needs
All of your occupants may not be able to walk to the exits. For anyone with special needs, your emergency exit plan needs to have the proper evacuation procedures for those people. This is especially true in healthcare facilities.
You’ll also need to designate who is in charge of ensuring those people have a clear exit and know what to do in the event of an emergency. In most cases, you’ll have a leader, but all occupants and staff should be trained on what to do to help others.
4. Designate Leaders
In the panic and chaos, people need someone to follow. While everyone needs to be trained on the proper evacuation techniques, every area needs to have a clear leader in place. This can be a leader per floor, department or a set group of people.
These are the leaders who ensure the alarm has sounded. They know exactly how many people are in their area and where to send them in the event of an emergency. They’ll need to be specially trained on how to lead people and how to avoid panicking themselves during an emergency.
5. Controlling Fires
Sometimes, a clear exit isn’t available during an emergency. Of course, your building should have fire safety equipment in place, such as fire extinguishers. Your emergency exit plan must include details on the location of equipment and methods for controlling fires.
In extreme cases, this could be the single factor that helps occupants keep fires at bay until help arrives or clear a path to evacuate more people. This is also why multiple exit strategies should be put into place, if possible.
Post Your Plan
Most importantly, keep your emergency exit plan posted for everyone to see. Even with proper training and drills, panic may cause people to forget what to do. Plus, there may be visitors in the building who have no idea what to do.
Keeping this posted provides guidance, especially if occupants are separated from designated leaders.
While this is just a short list, we can help you with your emergency exit plan requirements. We’ll ensure everything meets the current Ontario Fire Code, install the plan and provide a fire safety plan box.
False fire alarms are not only annoying, but they waste the time and resources for your local fire department.
The good news is there are ways to help limit these false alarms. While some false alarms may still happen, they’ll occur much less frequently.
Taking the time to do this can prevent costly fines and ensure when the alarm does sound, occupants take it seriously instead of thinking it’s just a false alarm.
Why Does It Matter
If you think it’s not that much of a problem, consider what happens if a legitimate fire alarm happens while your local firefighters are responding to your false one. Every time they respond to false fire alarms, they’re wasting valuable time and resources that could go to real emergencies.
In Ottawa alone, there were over 7,000 false fire alarms in 2017. Just over 4,000 were caused by equipment malfunction or accident, while the remainder was due to human error, such as purposely or accidentally pulling the alarm.
The Ontario Fire Code does allow you to move fire alarm boxes if they are being pulled or set off accidentally. For manual pull stations, section 6.3.1.7 states the station may be moved if there is a high incidence of false alarms.
You must make certain there are still safety precautions in place in the event of a fire.
If an alarm is being set off due to someone leaning against it or bumping it going back and forth, moving it to a better location can drastically reduce false fire alarms.
Uncover The Cause
Use security cameras to determine what is causing the false alarms. For instance, children may think it’s amusing to pull the alarm to avoid going to school. When you know what’s happening and even who is doing it, it’s much easier to develop a plan to prevent it.
Implement Fines
If fire alarms are being pulled maliciously, even if someone just thinks it’s a joke, implement fines to prevent false fire alarms. Ensure everyone in the building knows about this policy.
Post this with your fire safety plan too so visitors are aware of it. Using security cameras helps you to identify the culprit(s) so you know who to fine.
Most people don’t want to have to pay a fine. You can even charge them the fines from the fire department along with your building’s fine.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Poorly maintained, outdated and incorrectly installed fire alarms can all sound false alarms. It’s vital to schedule regular maintenance to check your systems before they become an issue.
If you’re dealing with regular false fire alarms, call in the alarm company to investigate. Equipment does malfunction, but it can be repaired. Everything from issues with the alarm itself to faulty wiring can all cause issues.
If you’ve recently gone through renovations and are experiencing an increase in false alarms, have your system and wiring checked to ensure there aren’t any issues as a result of the renovations.
Establish A Fire Warden
Ask for volunteers or designate one or more people per floor as a fire warden to help monitor the fire alarms. It is there responsibility to keep a check on the alarms and to watch for anyone who may be attempting to pull the alarm.
They can also identify if someone did it maliciously or accidentally. If it’s an accident often, this is a good indicator the alarm should be moved. Ideally, you’ll want someone who is already near the alarm, such as someone with an office or room across from or beside the alarm.
Keep Sensors Away From Triggers
False fire alarms can go off if sensors are not installed in the right place. Smoke detectors should always be installed away from vents and heat/smoke sources, such as not having one installed directly above an oven.
If someone is moving the smoke detectors around, use security cameras or your designated fire warden to determine who is doing this. Fine them to prevent this from happening again.
Help limit false fire alarms with regular inspections and maintenance. See how All Protect Systems can help with annual and monthly inspections.
