Fires in commercial buildings without a well-thought-out fire escape plan can lead to a dangerous panic. If your professional responsibilities include your building’s fire safety plan, you can avoid this awful scenario by establishing solid fire escape plan directives.
Fire safety is an important part of every building, and with some careful consideration, you can ensure your workers and customers can evacuate your premises calmly and safely if any emergency occurs. By incorporating the following four directives into your fire escape plan, your building can become a model of fire safety.
1) Assign responsibilities
Choose members of your staff to act as fire wardens during an emergency and train them to guide the rest of the workforce and visitors safely out of the building during an emergency. According to 2.8.2.1. (1) of the Ontario Fire Code, your enterprise must include the following in your fire safety plan: Section (b) requires “the appointment and organization of designated supervisory staff to carry out fire safety duties, while section (c) states “the training of supervisory staff and instruction of other occupants in their responsibilities for fire safety.”
Your fire warden’s responsibilities include leadership during a fire, as well as planning and preparation beforehand. He must also:
Verify that doors have been closed
Check bathrooms for stragglers
Perform a headcount at the pre-assigned safe location
Make sure your staff knows who their fire warden is, so they can look to them for guidance during a fire or other emergency. Knowing there is someone in charge keeps people calm and relaxed during episodes of extreme stress.
2) Identify possible scenarios
Depending on the nature and use of your building, it may be more susceptible to certain kinds of fires in different locations. The most common causes of fires are kitchens, intentional arson, and electrical malfunctions. Take the time to examine your property and consider the various possibilities for a fire to break out and try to create safety policies that will prevent them.
Once you’ve done your best to reduce the chance of a fire starting, you need to develop a fire escape plan around the remote possibility of where fires are most likely to occur. When it comes to fire safety, prevention is always the best cure.
3) Choose the best escape routes
Once you’ve identified the most likely causes of a fire, choose the best hallways and fire exits for the building inhabitants to make safe egress. Primary and secondary routes and exits are necessary during an emergency, and make sure these pathways are clear of any furniture or other obstructions that can impede the efficient flow of people during an emergency.
Post clear signs for exits and maps that instruct people how to get out. During an emergency, people can become disoriented, and you may have visitors in your facility that are unfamiliar with the terrain. Also, choose a safe location where everyone should congregate after exiting the building, so the fire warden can take a head count.
4) Practice
Schedule periodic fire drills, so both your supervisors and regular staff can learn the best exit routes. The best way to learn something is always through practice, and with regular drills, your building staff can react to an emergency with calm efficiency.
The above list is a guide and isn’t meant to be exhaustive. Every building has different fire hazards and should have its own customized fire escape plan.
Emergency lighting should be a fundamental pillar of every fire safety plan. In fact, light is so important that according to the Book of Genesis, God created it on the first day. Fires frequently result in the loss of AC power, so you often need a backup light source during a fire emergency to ensure life safety.
The Ontario Fire Code requires fire safety plans for most commercial buildings. Your fire safety plan should include the following information:
Actions required by building management and the occupants in the event of a fire or other emergency situation
Full documentation for the maintenance of fire protection systems
Detailed planning for fire prevention
Evacuation and emergency response procedures
Requirements for Emergency Lighting
Your fire safety plan must include backup illumination in the event of primary power loss. Section 9.9.3.14 of the Ontario Fire Code mandates that buildings have emergency lighting for the following:
Exits and the access to those exits, exit stairways, public hallways, and other access to exits in any building required to have a fire alarm system
Any room with assembly occupancy that has an occupant load of greater than 60 people
The code defines requirements of the emergency lighting to fulfill these requirements:
The lighting must last for 30 minutes where the distance between the top storey and the ground is less than 18 meters and two hours when it exceeds 18 meters.
The power source for the emergency lighting must be separate from the building’s primary source.
The secondary power source must activate automatically when primary power is lost.
The illumination must provide “an average of at least 10 lx at floor or tread level, or 1 watt/m2 of floor space.”
Emergency Lighting Benefits
The transition that occurs when the main power fails and lights go out is instantaneous and can cause emotional distress, confusion, and even panic in the building inhabitants unless backup lighting appears immediately. In the event of a fire, people must remain calm, and vigilant. They need to exit the building in the quickest and safest manner possible.
Emergency lighting can provide the means to help a building’s occupants to escape a hazardous situation when the primary source has failed. When properly installed and maintained, it saves lives and is surprisingly affordable. It’s also required by law, and the Ontario Fire Marshal can close down a business that doesn’t meet the code’s emergency lighting specifications.
Emergency Lighting Maintenance
If your building has emergency lighting, you must inspect, test, and maintain it per the Ontario Fire Code requirements specified in section 2.7.3.3., and your building’s fire safety plan should include a record of this activity. This maintenance should include:
Monthly
Pilot light inspection
Inspect terminals and clamps to make sure they’re clean
Electrolyte and specific gravity are up to the manufacturer’s specifications
The battery surface is clean and dry
Emergency lights turn on when primary power fails
Annually
Illumination should last for as long as the system design
Charging and recovery of the batteries after a full test should meet the manufacturer’s specifications
Emergency lighting should be one of the pillars of every Ontario commercial building fire safety plan. Once your plan has been established, it’s also necessary to revisit it annually or whenever changes have been made to the building structure or use. Such changes can often require adjustments to your emergency lighting system.
If you have a full schedule and don’t have the time to design, test, and maintain your building’s emergency lighting requirements, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at All Protect Systems Inc. They’ve been protecting Ontario area businesses since 1996 and are waiting for your call.
The Ontario Fire Code requires most commercial buildings to have a fire safety plan. Besides documenting your organization’s relevant supervisory contacts and evacuation procedures, your building’s fire safety plan must include the following information:
Potential fire hazards
Sources of ignition and their control
Storage and handling procedures for hazardous materials
Fire protection equipment necessary to control these hazards
Identifying these issues help you choose the proper sprinkler system for your building’s fire safety. Sprinkler systems are both a large financial investment and a crucial device for protecting both lives and property in the event of a fire.
You have four distinct types of sprinklers from which to choose. Hopefully, the following material can help you decide which is the best choice for your building.
Wet Pipe
Wet pipe sprinklers are the most common type. The sprinkler piping is always filled with water, and when the ceiling temperature reaches the designated temperature, a glass bulb or a fusible link at the sprinkler head breaks and releases water. However, despite what you may have seen in movies, water will only come out of the sprinkler head which was activated.
It’s the most reliable and cost-effective means of fire suppression and should be your first choice unless there’s a compelling reason to choose something else. If considering a wet pipe system, pay close attention to the temperature of the space you’re protecting. It must not drop below 4 degrees celsius, or you run the risk of the water freezing and bursting the pipes.
Dry Pipe
While quite similar to the wet pipe system, dry pipes are not filled with their water until the fire starts. When the ceiling gets hot enough to burst the glass bulb or fusible link, air will flow from the sprinkler head, which drops the pressure in the pipe. Water then enters the pipe and makes its way to the sprinkler head to extinguish the fire.
The delay in the arrival of the water limits the size of the area where you can safely use a dry pipe system. Its best application is for areas that can’t be reliably temperature-controlled. Nevertheless, the portion of the building where the valve is located must remain above 4 degrees celsius.
Preaction
Probably the most complicated sprinkler system, there are actually three different types of preaction systems from which to choose: Non-interlock, single interlock, and a double interlock. A preaction system is similar to a dry pipe system in that it doesn’t have water in the pipes prior to activation, but it’s distinctive in that it requires a specific event to activate the water release.
Non-interlock sprinklers release water when prompted by detection devices or automatic sprinklers.
Single interlock systems release water based on input from detection devices.
Double interlock systems release water when both detection devices and the automatic sprinklers have been triggered.
Deluge
The final type of sprinkler system is the deluge. It’s similar to the preaction system in that it depends on independent detection devices to operate, and the water is not in the pipes until activation. However, the sprinkler heads themselves are open, so when the system activates, all of the sprinkler heads spray water.
When choosing your building’s sprinkler system, you need to consider what the system is protecting as well as the climate conditioning of the building. It’s not uncommon to have more than one type of sprinkler system protecting a single building when there are multiple uses.
If you’d like some expert help in developing a fire safety plan that incorporates the most important fire safety considerations, then consult the fire protection specialists at All Protect Systems, Inc. We’ve been serving Ontario area businesses since 1996, so call us today!
Required by Ontario law under Section 2.8 of Division B and other areas of the Ontario Fire Code for specific types of buildings, Fire Safety Plans must adhere to strict guidelines. They must be carefully prepared and receive approval by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, usually the local fire marshall. However, regardless of how good your Fire Safety Plan is, it won’t be effectively executed if your employees are unaware of it.
Fire Safety Plans involve procedures, documentation, and especially training. While the supervisory staff usually receive rigorous and detailed instruction, it’s common for most of a building’s workers to be unaware of the plan’s details. Running the day to day operations of any enterprise can be so overwhelming that management often neglects to inform its workforce on emergency preparedness. If you wish to delegate the preparation and implementation of your Fire Safety Plan to professionals, the highly trained staff at All Protect Systems, Inc can handle this responsibility for you.
Buildings Requiring Fire Safety Plans
The Ontario Fire Code requires many but not all buildings to prepare and implement a Fire Safety Plan. High rise buildings, residential, assembly occupancies, care homes for children or the elderly, and those that house hazardous materials are just some of the building types that require such plans.
While Fire Safety Plans for all buildings must include specialized training for all supervisory staff, Section 2.8 only requires the instruction for employees of hotel establishments. For instance, hotel employees must receive training on all aspects of Article 2.8.2.1. Such activities include but are not limited to:
Activating the fire alarm and notifying the fire department
Instructing and evacuating the building occupants
Using the elevators in the event of a fire
Controlling and extinguishing a fire
While the Ontario Fire Code only requires this training for hotel workers, it doesn’t mean other businesses can’t benefit from employee fire safety training. Like all work related to continuing education, fire safety training pays dividends in the long run. Employee familiarity with fire safety can save both lives and company property. Unfortunately, most employees’ knowledge of Fire Safety Plans is limited to an annual fire drill.
Fire Safety Plan Design
The contents of a Fire Safety Plan must include all relevant information regarding the prevention and control of a fire. The plan must consist of information, such as:
Documentation of fire protection equipment including drawings indicating their location
Contact information for supervisors
Emergency fire procedures
Fire drills
Building maintenance for fire prevention
Spill procedures (if applicable)
Most employees are usually only familiar with the evacuation procedures during a fire drill. Management should regard evacuation procedures as the absolute minimum for employee fire safety training. Educating employees on the rest of the plan can improve safety and even help protect company property.
In 2018, there were 7,000 dangerous structural fires in Ontario. These fires cost more than $730 million in damages and resulted in 722 injuries with 81 fatalities. Could employees well-versed in the details of a company’s Fire Safety Plan help reduce these numbers? Simple logic dictates that it would.
It can often become part of a company’s culture to keep its employees on a “need to know” basis of much of the day to day operations. After all, a little bit of information can be a dangerous thing. Unfortunately, the secrecy of company policy can reach into unintended areas.
Employees who are well-trained in your company’s fire safety can not only help control fires; they may even help prevent them. Once conscious of fire safety, employees can spot potential hazards before they materialize. If you’re looking for professionals to design and implement your building’s Fire Safety Plan, All Protect Systems, Inc has a dedicated team of experts that can put together a plan that your employees can learn and help implement. Call them today to find out what they can do for you.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Simply having fire extinguishers is a great first step to keeping everyone safer in the event of a fire.
However, if they’re not easily accessible, they may not be useful at all. This is why fire extinguisher placement is so important.
Knowing exactly where to place your fire extinguishers could mean the difference between stopping a fire and having to evacuate as the building goes up in flames.
1. Must Be Visible At All Times
The single most important thing to remember is to keep your fire extinguishers visible at all times. The Ontario Fire Code states that any portable extinguishers be mounted so they’re visible at all times. This ensures they’re easier to find in the event of a fire.
In buildings where visibility is obstructed, such as in a warehouse, you must have signs in place that show where fire extinguishers are placed. They should still be visible and not stored in a closet or cabinet. There are a few exceptions to the cabinet rule, but the doors should be clear to still make the fire extinguisher visible.
2. Mounting
There are two main requirements for mounting/storing. For optimal fire extinguisher placement, you must use brackets to mount the fire extinguisher on a wall within easy reach.
When mounting, keep the carrying handle between one and one and half metres above the floor. This allows individuals of all heights to reach and lift the fire extinguisher. For larger extinguishers that are heavier, it’s recommended to place them lower as they’re more difficult to lift.
Alternately, you can place fire extinguishers in cabinets with glass doors. This is often the case in areas where you don’t want individuals messing with the extinguisher. Cabinets shouldn’t be locked unless it’s in an area where this is a common problem. For major occupancy buildings, you must ensure there are identical keys to the cabinet at all supervisory or security stations and there is an electrical remote release.
3. Keep Instructions Facing Forward
Fire extinguisher placement doesn’t just apply to location. It also means placing the extinguisher so users can view the instructions easily. If you multiple classifications, such as A, B or C, and they’re placed near each other, you’ll want individuals to be able to see which extinguisher they need.
In most cases, you’ll want to install multi-purpose fire extinguishers if you have multiple hazards in a single area. No matter what type of extinguisher you have, always install the extinguisher with the instructions facing forward.
4. Keep Fire Extinguishers Close
You always want your fire extinguishers to be close by, but this doesn’t mean you need one every few metres. Optimal fire extinguisher placement means keeping extinguishers within easy traveling distance according to the Ontario Fire Code Subsection 6.2.6.
For Class A extinguishers, they should be no more than 25 metres apart. Class B placement requires that fire extinguishers should be no more than 9-15 metres apart, depending upon the size of the extinguisher.
For Class C, the extinguisher should be kept inside or directly outside the room containing the electrical equipment. With Class D, keep the extinguisher no more than 25 metres away from the potential hazard.
Naturally, if you have a high hazard area or there are obstacles in the room, you may want to place an additional fire extinguisher to minimise traveling distance and ensure the best possible scenario for putting out a fire quickly.
5. Know Your Hazards
The most important thing to remember for the best possible fire extinguisher placement is to know your hazards. For instance, you’d want your commercial kitchen extinguishers closer at hand than general fire extinguishers throughout a restaurant.
The more you understand your hazards, the easier it’ll be to place the right type of extinguishers and the right amount within a set space. A combination of multi-purpose and hazard-specific are typically needed and will need to be placed according to the hazard type.
Once your extinguishers are placed, don’t forget about regular maintenance. Contact All Protect Systems to learn more about maintaining your fire extinguishers.
