Fire is one of the greatest threats to a structure, with figures from 2014 showing over 17,500 incidents in that year across Canada. Anyone who visits a particular location needs to pay close attention to fire risks and make sure that they do their part to avoid any incident. Having said that, the building or business manager is ultimately responsible for fire safety in the workplace, but what measures do they have to implement in order to comply?
Drawing up a Plan
The first step should be to create a fire safety plan. This will cover all elements of fire safety for the property in question and will include pre-emptive strategies as well as a way to deal with any incident, should it occur.
Legal Requirements
Your local jurisdiction may require that your safety plan be formatted in a specific way. These template plans are meant to make it easier for firefighters to get to work when an emergency is declared. However, before you begin work on your plan, carry out an audit. This will identify entry and exit points, fire department connections, sprinkler and alarm systems, and anything that may be stored within the facility.
Designating Responsibility
In a larger facility, a manager may decide to designate staff and give them responsibility for fire safety and drills. In turn, the designees should be fully aware of the fire safety plan and ensure that any staff who report to them are also well educated in its detail. However, all designated managers should still report to the general manager, who maintains ultimate responsibility for their actions.
Step-By-Step Processes
Managers must also see to it that employees know what to do if they discover a fire and what they should do if they hear a fire alarm. They should create a step-by-step process and make sure that it is properly communicated.
All-Round Awareness
The building or business manager must also ensure that the fire safety plan is communicated to not just employees but regular contractors as well.
Fire Drills
Fire drills should be carried out as required by the jurisdiction. For example, Ontario legislates conducting a fire drill four times per year.
Additional Hazards
If the workplace is particularly hazardous, additional measures may be required. For example, special precautions may need to be taken for all areas with exposed flames or where there is a source of ignition. The management team may need to install firewalls and insist on special cleaning requirements to reduce risk.
Independent Checks
Independent experts should be brought in to carry out regular inspections and check all elements of fire safety. To ensure that your facility is compliant, contact West Coast Fire to talk about these services today.