This month we’ll be looking at the fire inspection and your operation. Last month we looked at fire safety and the prevention plan. During the covid lockdown certain mandatory measures were put in place. Did you change the layout of your premises? One-way systems were implemented, partitions put in to separate staff and other measures were used to ensure covid safety. Did this change anything in relation to your evacuation plans?
Emergency exits
Are there sufficient emergency exits? Are they labelled and are staff aware? With reduced staff during covid, perhaps exits were reduced and now need re-evaluating. Ensure that stairs and corridors are still well lit and maintained. Were desks stored in a room and now may constitute a fire hazard? Make sure that open spaces have not become cluttered so that heat can still dissipate. Are the exits within a reasonable distance of workstations and are they well signposted?
Smoke/Fire detection
This is critical. The quicker fires are detected, the quicker action can be taken. Make sure that the fire/smoke detection systems are still operational. These should be well maintained, especially during reduced occupancy as we saw during covid, to ensure that fires are immediately detected and reported.
Fire suppression
Are these in full working order? Overhead sprinklers where fitted must be inspected and work. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a US-based non-profit body, estimates that automatic suppression systems lower the cost of damage by 60% and used during a fire reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 98%.
Are the fire extinguishers in date and readily available?
Fire drills
Are these being conducted at the required intervals and are they monitored and improved upon? Fire drills familiarise employees with the correct evacuation procedure which will prevent panic in the event of a real emergency. Is the fire prevention officer receiving the full support of management?
Building materials, equipment and furnishings
Unless you are in a brand-new facility with new equipment and furniture, the materials used in the construction of the building and manufacture of fixtures and fittings may be a problem. You may need to undertake a fire inspection. For example, the Grenfell Towers disaster, where the cladding on a residential block in London caught fire and caused one of the worst fire disasters in British history. Does your building contain any material that could be a fire hazard? On this point, are all your fire doors operational and in a sound condition?
Accessibility
Unfortunately, in the current environment it is necessary to have high security in and around buildings. However, at some point fire-fighters may need access. Can this be easily arranged? Consider how security doors and burglar guards are opened and if this can be achieved rapidly to allow the fire-brigade to gain access. Further to this, it is useful practice to have building plans to hand in the event responders need them.
Building standards
With the increasing and necessary implementation of “green” buildings and smart technology to operate them, have all relevant codes been followed?
Safety assessments
If you are in anyway unsure, or just seek peace of mind, have your operation inspected. The cost of this far outweighs the implications of a fire in your establishment.
Firebrand’s can conduct a comprehensive inspection of your facility based on South African guidelines and standards. The inspection is based on:
- Insurance Schedule/Policy Working
- National Building Regulations
- SANS Codes Applicable to Fire Safety, Security, Lightning & Extraction Systems
- National Building Regulations & Building Standards Act, Act 103 of 1977
- National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998 Emergency Services By-laws
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Google Maps & GIS Systems – Accepted International Standards such as NFPA
Firebrand can also perform specialised inspections and offer advice on all aspects of fire safety and fire equipment.