The importance of conducting a fire drill in any commercial setting where people are employed and customers are entertained on a routine basis cannot be denied. Conducting fire drills is an essential part of a business.
Many people do not understand the concept of carrying out a fire drill as they are not aware of the benefits associated with it. However, it is a great practice for safeguarding the interests of the employees working in a respective commercial setting.
A fire drill effectively undertakes fire extinguisher testing and check the fire extinguisher maintenance. According to the Fire Safety Order of 2005, it is a legal requirement to practice fire drills in every commercial setting and all employees must participate in the drill.
What is the importance of practicing fire drills in a workplace?
There are a plethora of reasons that signify the importance of a fire drill in a commercial setting. Not only does it demonstrate what steps should a person take when stuck in a fire mishaps, it also creates a safe atmosphere for individuals to work in.
Below mentioned are some reasons that explains the importance of practicing fire drills in a workplace.
- Conducting a fire drill is an opportunity to learn about the steps to take during a fire mishap.
- It is a practice that ensures that all the employees are familiar with the whole evacuation process
- The employees are taught about the right techniques of fire extinguisher testing
- Practicing proper Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
- Proof testing escape routes and emergency exits
- Enhancement of safety measures
- Curbing property damage
When should you conduct fire drill? You should conduct a fire drill at least twice every year. This will also depend on the risk assessment of your company. If your organization has different work shifts, ensure that every employee attends the drill and learns about the potential techniques of correctly using the fire safety equipment.
How to prepare for a fire drill?
When making amends to conduct a fire drill, you must have a definite motive. It could be the construction of a safe escape route or some major pin-point locations where the fire extinguishers will be placed.
Remember,
A fire drill should be performed under proper supervision. For this, you can appoint a team of fire marshals, deputy in charge, and a chief marshall. It is important for the marshals to undergo proper training and know about their respective duties during a real fire mishap.
About Fireserv
Fireserv has been the leading provider of fire safety equipment across the nation. They strive on the notion that proper fire safety measures are installed and each commercial as well as residential site is 100% fire-proof. Our professionals have decades of experience and will guide you in choosing the right fire safety equipment for your setting. We also provide comprehensive Fire Extinguisher Maintenance, Fire Extinguisher Testing, and various other services.
Most of us don’t overthink certain things in life. Whether it be changing the oil on your car, or mowing your lawn, there are just some things we do because “it’s what you’re supposed to do.” There are definitely certain things that we need to do in order to enjoy a comfortable or safe car ride. There are things we need to do in order to enjoy a lawn that isn’t an eye sore or a liability to our family or neighbors as well. While we often do a lot of things we “need to do,” we don’t always do the things that we “should do” sometimes, especially when it comes to preventing basic fire hazards in your place of business. Here are some things to think about when it comes to getting quality Fire Extinguisher Service, Fire Extinguisher Inspections, and Fire Extinguisher Testing:
How Clean Are The Hallways, Walkways, and Floors?
Whether things are going well, or things are going bad, sometimes it’s easy for us to overlook something as simple as “cleaning up” a certain area, or making sure things are put away. In fact, many fires can start because of an errant spark that could have been prevented.
Are you or your employees making sure you clean all work and floor spaces before closing? Are you or your employees making sure there is room to move around in case of an emergency? Are all fire exits, safety equipment, and first aid kits easily accessible? Common areas you should always clean up and check on before the end of every single workday include:
- Turning Off Electronics. Many times, we don’t think something as simple as a stack of papers, or snack wrappers and running electronics are that big of a deal. That being said, what happens if something malfunctions when no one is there? What if an errant spark touches a stack of papers that was left out next to a running machine (computer, or other machine)? This is why checking any and all electronics before the end of every workday is essential!
- Keeping Designated Smoking Areas Far Enough Away From The Building. Think about it. Depending on the size of your business, and the amount of people who may enjoy a cigarette outside of your business, you may need a smoking area or two! Whether it’s employees or customers, having these designated smoking areas is sometimes essential to protecting your business from potential fire hazards. That said, you generally want to keep these smoking areas at least 25-30 feet away from your building(s). You also want to make sure the disposal/receptacles are covered as well.
- Covering/Hiding Loose or Exposed Wires and Cables. Many electrical fires are caused by exposed wires and cables that aren’t properly covered or hidden away. When wires or cables become exposed, they are often-times at risk of being damaged. Covering these wires and cables or keeping them bound and contained safely can prevent most of the possible damage that can occur.
- Keeping Your Building Up To Code & Then Some. Do more than the bare minimum to pass an inspection. ”Little things” that are potential fire hazards need to be addressed before they become a “bigger thing”. You never know what may or may not cause potential fire damage at your businesses. Do you have something that could be fixed or worked on? Get it fixed and worked on before it’s too late!
Something To Remember
Have safety measures in place for you, your employees, and your business. Having you and your employees well prepared to handle certain situations is helpful. Don’t trust outdated or basic methods of fire prevention to your business safe! Trust the experts at FireServ to help serve you and your business with the some of the best fire protection services in the industry. Getting quality Fire Extinguisher Service, Fire Extinguisher Inspections, and Fire Extinguisher Testing involves a number of factors. Making sure your building is safe, inspections are up to date, and you’ve taken care of all the “small things” that can cause a fire, will ultimately help prevent most fires.
Do you need fire protection and prevention services for your business?
Get in touch with the experts you can trust! We are licensed, insured, and widely recognized as one of the top fire protection and prevention specialists in the country. Call our experts today for an information and estimates to help protect your business today at (800) 567-5740
“Since 1999, FireServ has provided cost effective, nationwide management of fire and life safety systems for companies that operate multiple locations. Our responsibility is to ensure that proper fire and safety equipment has been provided to each of our client’s locations and that the equipment is serviced and maintained properly. Getting quality Fire Extinguisher Service, Fire Extinguisher Inspections, and Fire Extinguisher Testing involves a number of factors within the guidelines of local, state and national codes, as well as manufacturer’s specifications.”
Every year, a number of building are damaged and people die as a result of poor fire protection planning. Hence, it is mandatory to have fire extinguishers installed in your building. A lot of people out there tend to ignore the fact that fire extinguishers play a very important role in enhancing the safety of the building. Once you install the fire extinguishers, but what if they don’t work? This happens without regular maintenance and inspection. That is why it is important that you look for fire extinguisher service. Moreover, fire extinguisher inspections are also important. Make sure your fire extinguishers are up to date.
This article will explain more about fire extinguisher service and inspections.
Create an Evacuation Plan: To ensure a smooth evacuation during emergency, it is important to plan before time. Make sure that your evacuation plan consist of the following:
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- Prepare a written plan that outlines evacuation routes, crowd management techniques, and different methods to inform the fire department.
- Make a map showcasing primary and secondary exit routes, fire extinguisher locations, etc.
- Map out an exterior site plan that shows where fire lanes, fire hydrants, and outdoor gathering sites are located.
Train Your Employees: Every employee of the company should have basic knowledge about the fire equipments. Below mentioned are the types of training you should provide your employees.
Fire can cause injury and death to anyone in your building. To discover the risks of fire, it is important to understand the structure and the purpose of the building. If employees have proper training, they won’t harm themselves while using fire extinguishers. This training will help them to recognize when the situation is dangerous.
Location of the fire extinguishers: It is important for you to know where in the building your fire extinguisher is located. This will help you find the extinguisher faster and will bring the fire under control. One thing that the trainees should keep in mind is, they should know whether the extinguisher is charged or not.
How to use a Fire Extinguisher? One should have knowledge about how to use the fire extinguisher. Because people tend to panic very fast, so having the confidence to use the extinguisher correctly is very important.
Analyzing a Fire Situation: Proper guidance should be provided to the trainees. Analyzing a fire situation includes looking at the size of the fire, how will you control it, and seeing the level of heat. Proper training will alert you.
These are some of the things to consider when it comes to using a fire extinguisher.
Check Your Fire Extinguishers: It is mandatory that you check your fire extinguishers and perform fire extinguisher inspections. With enough training and knowledge about fire equipment you can assign this task to your employees too.The most important parts of these checks are to make sure:
Every fire extinguisher is placed in the right place.
No material is blocking access to the extinguisher.
The operating instructions are legible and facing forward.
The most recent professional inspection was less than a year ago.
The extinguisher isn’t expired.
To know more about fire extinguisher service, get in touch with FireServ. The staff there is more than pleased to offer all the services you need to keep your building safe and code compliant
You might have seen a bright red fire suppression equipment in the kitchen, closet, or garage. Often, people install fire extinguisher and don’t think much about it later. As fire extinguisher can save your life and your property from fire accident so you need to ensure that it’s working properly all the time. Therefore, regular
fire extinguisher inspections and maintenance is required because fire mishappenings can happen anytime. We, at Fireserv, offer extensive fire safety services such as fire protection system installation and maintenance. Typically, fire extinguishers come with a shelf life that lasts for 5 to 15 years. While you buy a fire extinguisher, always check the tag to know the manufacturer’s dates and the instructions. This will help you know how long your fire extinguisher will last with regular maintenance and care. If your extinguisher has a gauge, you must check it every month to determine whether it is charged properly to work in an emergency. On the contrary, older fire extinguisher without a gauge needs to be checked annually by professionals.
Let’s first learn when you need to replace your fire extinguisher It’s time to replace an extinguisher if you notice any of the following:
- When the nozzle or hose of an extinguisher is ripped, cracked, or blocked with dirt or debris.
- If the locking pin on the handle is unsealed or missing.
- The handle of the extinguisher is broken or wobbly.
- Or the hang tag or inspection sticker is missing.
Whether you own an apartment or renting one, the following tips will help you determine when your fire extinguisher need a replacement. Confirm with the manufacturer – Although most of the extinguishers come with a shelf life of 5 to 15 years, you can either check the label or confirm with the manufacturer when your extinguisher needs to be replaced.
You must check the pressure gauge on monthly basis – If you’ve recently rented an apartment, you might not know when a fire extinguisher was purchased, so always rely on the pressure gauge. For example, if your extinguisher’s needle falls inside the green area, it is working perfectly fine. However, if it falls somewhere else, it’s a sign that you need to replace it with the new. For people with older extinguisher without a gauge, taking professional advice is the best thing to do.
Look for the inspection sticker – Every extinguisher comes with an inspection sticker or hang tag that has a record of its maintenance checkups. If hang tag is missing, replace your extinguisher immediately.
Check for wear-and-tear – From a missing pin to a cracked hose or nozzle, and broken handle are some of the signs that tell your extinguisher needs a replacement.
With these tips, you can know whether your fire extinguisher needs to be replaced or not. If you’re looking for quality fire extinguisher services in NY , call us fireserv – (800) 567-5740.
