Fire safety is a top concern for businesses of all sizes. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reported that the 2022 national estimates for non-residential building fires and losses were:
Given these statistics, it's important that employers and building maintenance managers prepare for fires and have plans in place for fire emergencies. Fire safety procedures outline the actions required during a fire emergency and assign responsibility for each action. Safety Managers can customize these plans to fit the specific facility, type of work, materials, and people present.
Effective fire safety procedures and proper employee training can reduce fire-related injuries and damage. Without the right, leading to confusion, injury, and increased property damage evacuation or emergency response, leading to confusion, injury, and increased property damage.
The only OSHA regulation that specifically requires fire safety procedures is 29 CFR 1915.502 - Fire Protection in Shipyard Employment, Fire Safety Plan. This standard addresses establishing a fire safety plan in shipyards and includes a "Model Fire Safety Plan" as a generic outline for any facility.
More commonly, OSHA requires facilities to create written emergency action plans (EAPs) that incorporate fire safety procedures and actions for other emergencies.
However, OSHA only mandates an EAP under certain conditions, such as:
Even if OSHA doesn't require your facility to have an emergency action plan, it is a good practice to establish fire safety procedures. For instance, a small office building may not be required by OSHA to have a formal emergency action plan. However, by implementing fire safety procedures�such as conducting regular fire drills, ensuring all exits are clearly marked, and training employees on evacuation protocols�management can improve safety and preparedness, reducing the risk of injury and damage during a fire emergency.
The first step in creating facility-specific fire safety procedures is to conduct a fire risk assessment. This assessment provides the necessary information to develop an effective and comprehensive plan. A fire risk assessment should cover:
Conducting a fire risk assessment allows for potential vulnerabilities to be identified and ensures that fire safety procedures are both effective and thorough. This assessment should be carried out by a qualified professional, such as a certified fire protection specialist (CFPS), a fire safety engineer, or a fire risk assessor with appropriate credentials and experience.
Regular reviews and updates of the fire risk assessment are also essential, especially if there are significant changes to the building structure, the nature of work being conducted, or the introduction of new materials or equipment that could impact fire safety.
After collecting information through a fire risk assessment, facilities should use that knowledge to develop procedures tailored to a specific worksite layout, building structural features, and existing fire emergency systems. OSHA�s requirements for an EAP offer a useful guide for creating safety fire safety procedures, which should:
The fire safety procedures must be combined with employee training. Employees need to know their tasks during a fire emergency, even if it's just to evacuate the building. Familiarize new employees with the fire safety procedures, and provide existing employees with periodic retraining, especially if procedures change. Facilities should make the entire set of fire safety procedures accessible for employee review.
OSHA does not require the use of portable fire extinguishers. The best course of action during a fire emergency is usually to evacuate the building and let professional firefighters handle the situation. However, if you want employees to use portable fire extinguishers, detail those circumstances in your fire safety procedures and provide hands-on training. For more information, see 29 CFR part 1910, subpart L.
Fire safety procedures should designate preferred and secondary exit routes in case normal routes are blocked. Evacuation assembly points should be established to account for all evacuated individuals.
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The DuraLabel Kodiak Max Industrial Sign and Label Print System is a complete in-house industrial label printer that can meet all of your fire safety labeling needs. By integrating DuraLabel products into your fire safety plan, you can ensure clear, consistent, and compliant safety communication across your facility.
Download the free OSHA Instant Action Guide to guarantee your facility is OSHA compliant. This helpful resource offers a site inspection checklist to guarantee nothing gets overlooked.
Get help crafting a system that will provide the safety communication you need. Call 1-888-402-8820 and one of our experts will guide you through the process.
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