Fire can cause permanent damage to people, buildings and businesses. To reduce the chances of fire, Fire Safety is necessary. It decreases the amount of destruction that fire causes. It is necessary to make and apply fire safety rules in the workplace. It is required by the law and needed for the safety of people and properties.
In India, the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) has formulated more than 150 standards on fire safety in buildings and firefighting equipment & systems.
Basic Fire safety rules include knowing how to use a fire extinguisher, evacuating the premises, informing the people who are unaware, directing everyone to safety and many more. One of the most important parts of this is the evacuation process which includes emergency exits.
Emergency exits are important as they are the only way out in case of a hazardous disaster. When a place catches fire, the first thing that comes to the mind of a person is to run away to a safe place and protect themselves and others. For this, emergency exits are made. Usually, in our day-to-day life, no one wonders about Fire Safety. People tend to believe that fire hazards are one in a thousand kinds, which is not true. According to the data in India, 17,231 fire-related incidents took place between 2019 and 2020, which claimed 100 lives while 843 were injured. Fire safety can not be taken for granted.
All the exits inside a building are potential Emergency exits and entrances. People can evacuate through these exits, and at the same time, firefighters can enter through these gates/doors to control the fire. But in spite of that, these doors and windows are neglected on a daily basis. They become unnoticeable and fade in the background. These paths are often blocked by unnecessary clutter such as boxes, work-related tools, garbage and other items that can make the door invisible during normal days and hard to access during crises. People could also trip and fall on these things kept near the exit and cause injuries.
For better management in times of crisis, employees should be educated regarding Fire Safety. One can keep emergency exits clear by following the steps given below:-
- Have extra storage so that the boxes, racks and other things in the way are kept in the right place instead of lying around emergency exits.
- Identify visible lines for people walking or the vehicles passing by. Search for non-existent doors and create a visible path.
- Low-light areas get more unclear during emergencies. To highlight the path, use glow-in-the-dark tapes as markings and put on emergency lights on the way.
- Emergency equipment should be first-rate, like fire extinguishers and sprinklers.
- Plans should be updated by documenting potential hazards by using Job Hazard Analysis.
- Training the employees for emergencies, they should know things like using a fire extinguisher, keeping the exits clear and working for everyone’s safety without panic.
People who have experienced the horror of fire and its after effects can understand the impact of the situation. It is common sense to keep the emergency area litter-free, yet people fail to achieve it. In order to maintain magnificent emergency action plans keep your workers informed and well-trained.
Do not block fire exits, as it can cost lives. Make your workplace a safe space. To make sure your workplace has proper fire safety, choose Ezone. Call us at 9848398483 Or visit www.ezonesecurity.com for Fire Safety Solutions.