Your building's on fire

If you’ve seen the movie classic Towering Inferno, it’s a pretty safe bet that you’ve looked out of the window of a tall building, and wondered what on earth you would do if a fire were to suddenly break out. No matter how strong the inclination, it’s best not to play the hero like Paul Newman, and simply keep your head down, following the emergency exit plan.

Aside from the inherent danger that fires bring, workplace environments also contribute to mortality rates and fire related injuries. Some buildings have been designed without much thought given to providing an adequate means of escape, regardless of the emergency. Some companies simply haven’t planned for a fire and don’t have any fire procedures in place. Often there is a lackadaisical approach to fire safety, as businesses don’t perceive fire to be a tangible threat. As a result, of this attitude fire alarms aren’t installed, sprinkler systems aren’t maintained and batteries in smoke detectors aren’t changed.

There are some precautions that could prove useful in the interest of reducing the risk of fires and so increasing the safety of all those in the building. All combustible refuse must be removed and stored away from the working environment. Electrical machinery should be switched off when not in use and the plugs removed from their sockets. Office machinery must be cleaned with solvents that aren’t flammable. Routes to emergency exits must be clearly marked. The doors should be kept closed. If the doors are locked they must be able to be opened easily in the case of an emergency.

In buildings that have more than one storey, there are special precautions that should be taken regarding the safety of staircases. Handrails on staircases must be stable and able to provide adequate support in the case of emergency. If the staircase is intended as the fire escape, it needs to be made out of material that isn’t combustible. The most important point to remember is that the staircases mustn’t be used as temporary storage areas. They need to be kept clear and well maintained.

It doesn’t matter how many guidelines are laid down or how many regulations are passed by authorities, the ultimate responsibility for taking the proper precautions against fire rests with the employer and building manager. Most fires that occur in the workplace are due to carelessness or negligence. The owners of buildings that go up in smoke can face criminal charges should people die in the blaze. The best way to combat office fires is through an efficient emergency plan and ensuring that your employees are trained to deal with emergencies.

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