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Making Your Own Fire Safety Plan?
Things You Need To Consider Before Designing Your Own Fire Safety Plan
Lives Depend On You
In escaping an emergency, seconds count. Do you feel you are able to evaluate alternative solutions for safety?
Drawing Your Plan To Standards
A site plan showing fire prevention equipment, exits, escape routes, etc is an important part of your safety plan. First responders and visitors unfamiliar with your site will be using it at a time when accuracy and readability is important. It must also meet with the approval of your local authority.
While there are many drafting programs available, if your site is more complex than a few rectangular spaces, you may find making an accurate drawing challenging. The learning curve for something such as AutoCAD can be steep.
Meeting All Code Requirements For Your Municipality.
Codes have detailed specifications and are inflexible. Fire codes run to hundreds of pages. Are you prepared to research? Are you familiar with all areas that must be covered by your safety plan? A large amount of detailed information is required. This takes time to assemble and organise.
Information To Assemble Before Designing Your Plan
Individuals who are to
be contacted in the event of a fire emergency and their titles.
The people who require
assistance during a fire.
The responsibilities
of staff during a fire emergency upon the discovery of smoke, fire or
when the fire alarm sounds, as well as training of supervisory staff.
The layout and
location of the main utility shutoffs for each building.
Identification of all
fire and life safety equipment, including operation.
Emergency evacuation
procedures.
Procedures to follow
upon discovery of a fire or smoke, or when hearing the fire alarm.
Examples of the posted
emergency procedure signs.
Nature and frequency
of fire drills in accordance with the building classification, as well
as steps to be taken before and after the fire drill.
Fire Code requirements
for the checking, testing and inspecting of fire and life safety
systems in the building, outlining the daily, weekly, monthly,
semi-annual and annual requirements for various equipment.
The general functions
of the fire alarm control panel.
Procedures to follow
upon shutdown of any fire or life safety equipment in the building.
How to implement a
fire watch through the use of fire watch personnel if fire alarm
equipment is not working.
Implementation of Your Plan
Plans don't work if no one knows about them. People must be trained to respond automatically. They must be well acquainted with the details of escape routes, location of emergency equipment, and how to mount a fire watch. Do you have the skills and time to teach users effectively?
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