In case of fire, pull the nearest fire alarm and follow the building evacuation plan!
Fire has always
been considered a potential hazard in workplaces. It is important to know where
the alarms in your building are stationed and the evacuation route you need to
take in case of emergencies.
Before we
continue discussing the actions that you need to take in case of a fire
emergency, let’s talk about some important pointers on fire safety precautions.
Fire
Safety: Always Be Prepared!
Being prepared is
the key to minimising any untoward incidents when an emergency happens. It is
essential to understand the importance of fire awareness and other safety
precautions. Every employee in a workplace is required to know how to respond
to emergencies like fire.
Also read: annual fire safety statement sydney
Here are some
fire safety pointers:
Fire
Prevention Plan
It is your
responsibility as an employee to report any hazardous conditions that can cause
injury or fire. Make sure that your report is addressed immediately by building
administrations to ensure that no harm will befall anyone or anything in and
out of the premises.
Fire prevention
plans should include the following:
●
Removal of all combustible
materials within the building;
●
Report discharged or missing fire
extinguishers;
●
Emergency egress of the building
should be clear from anything that may hamper the swift flow of evacuation;
●
Ensure that all electrical panels
are covered at all times;
●
Recycle bins for combustible
materials should be in a separate closed area and away from fire hazards;
●
Emergency lights and exit signs
should always be maintained;
●
Mechanical and electrical rooms
should not be made storage rooms; and
●
Evacuation plan routes should be placed in a
conspicuous place where every employee can see.
It also helps to
familiarise yourself with the location of fire alarms, extinguishers and exits.
Most importantly, never test nor play with fire alarms.
Fire
Drills and Training
Fire drills are
implemented in workplaces to prepare employees to respond safely and quickly
while maintaining calmness. Remember that haste makes waste!
It helps to
evaluate the efficacy of the fire safety and evacuation plan being implemented. This can also help
determine if your building’s safety protocols comply with the Australian
Standard (AS) 3745-2010.
If you’re wondering if it is important to actively
join fire drills and training, then the answer is yes. Fire drills should be
done regularly, that is once every 3 months for fire hazard workplaces and at
least once yearly for other establishments.
Fire
Extinguishers
Fire
extinguishers are typically placed in strategic locations in the building
taking into account their types and sizes as well as the potential hazards of
the premises. Generally, they should be located near the main entrance of the
room or the exit door of the building.
The most
important thing to remember about fire extinguishers is it requires proper
training in handling them. Operating them without the right training may lead
to more serious injuries or may cause the fire to spread.
You should also
know the right kind of fire extinguisher to use for certain types of fire.
- Pressurized Water Fire
Extinguishers: Used for Type A fire which is from
combustible materials that produce Ash
after being burned.
- Dry Chemical Fire
Extinguishers: Used for type B fire which is the
result of chemical liquids in Barrels.
- Carbon Dioxide Fire
Extinguishers: Used for type C fire which
involves electrical or Circuit
energized fire.
Now that you know
some important fire safety precautions, let’s tackle some helpful ways to deal
with fire.
Actions
to Take in Case of Fire
There are 4 main
actions that you need to remember when you are confronted with fire
emergencies.
1.
Alert Everyone
At the first
sight of smoke or fire, you should alert everyone. Do not hesitate in
activating the fire alarm system of your building. Dial triple zero (000) to
inform the police and the fire authorities of the emergency and to report the
exact location of the fire.
2.
Confine the Fire
Remember not to
panic. Close all windows and doors of the room where fire or smoke is detected
to help prevent the spread of fire. Do this quickly but calmly.
3.
Evacuate as Planned
When you hear the
alarm, make sure to quietly leave your post and evacuate the building. You
should use the nearest exit route from your location to prevent stampede or
clogging of building egress.
Once outside,
make sure to report to your supervisor. You may also proceed to the rally point
of your building.
4.
Special Assistance
The general rule
when there is fire is for everyone to safely exit the building. However, some
instances call for special assistance such as when the fire had spread outside.
In which case, you should stay inside the room and close the door. Remember to
report the need for assistance and wait patiently for a rescue or an evacuation
plan.
What
should I do if my clothes catch fire?
The first thing
that you should do is to cover your face with your hands and do the stop, drop and roll. Stopping will help
lessen the spread of fire. Dropping further prevents the fire from spreading.
And rolling helps smother the fire.
In case you catch
cold burns, simply run cool water through the burns for 10 to 15 minutes. Do
not apply ointments or creams and immediately seek medical assistance.
Contact Workplace Emergency Management today to learn more about how to handle fire emergencies!
