Workplace fire safety is a concern for every business, especially manufacturing facilities. The more demanding the environment, the more comprehensive fire safety precautions must be.
Every part of a building, from corporate offices to the plant floor, requires consideration before, during and after building to ensure that plans are compliant. More than just a physical layout, a corporate culture that respects fire safety standards is essential.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) maintains statistics and in the years between 2003 and 2017, an average of more than 5,100 fires broke out annually in non-residential buildings like office and manufacturing environments. This is a reminder that no workplace can be too prepared.
Find the right fire protection solutions for your business
It is important to prepare for the potential devastation if a fire by finding the right fire protection solutions for your business. Careful consideration can mean the difference between an operation that’s salvageable and a total loss.
Office spaces and manufacturing environments both have unique requirements. For example, in an office space, you would need to think about protecting irreplaceable documents, specialized equipment and critical backups.
Even metal cabinets are not immune to fire and you may need specialized, gypsum lined cabinets and safes to protect important elements essential for day-to-day operations.
Carefully consider areas that require stringent safety measures
Certain areas have very stringent safety requirements, including tunnels, power plants, mines, tunnels, ducts and air-handling spaces.
Learn more about the BreathSaver Conduit System, which is ideal for such spaces as it meets the most stringent industry safety requirements. The phenolic rigid system is suitable for high-temperature installations due to its nonmetallic, corrosion-resistant, low-smoke and flame resistant qualities.
The system offers the highest cable fire protection in the industry. Phenolic fiberglass products are not like rigid PVC and are unlikely to suffer any damage as a result of burn through when cable pulling. The lightweight system is non-conductive and has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than steel. Installation is fast and easy and the system is non-toxic as it contains no materials like chlorine or halogen.
Set consistent safety standards
If you incorporate a fire safety plan into your orientation, it will instill a fire safety corporate culture. Every employee should know the safety standards.
As well as posting evacuation plans in all legally-required locations, take time to physically show employees exit locations, fire alarms, detection systems, sprinklers and fire extinguishers. Maintain their knowledge and conduct fire drills regularly. Have smoke detectors and sprinkler systems checked by personnel and local fire authorities.
Remember electrical upgrades
Electrical fires are one of the leading causes of fire losses. Preventing them requires some work upfront but yields great benefits. Start with a professional inspection by an experienced and reputable electrician.
Update and upgrade electrical wiring as required. Teach all employees about warning signs, such as flickering lights, unusual buzzing, and continuous tripping of breakers. Install outlet caps on unused outlets and reduce the use of electrical cords and overloaded outlets. Evaluate equipment in both offices and plants and replace or repair weathered cords.
Follow the rules and stay ahead of new safety regulations
There are plenty of resources to help you stay up to code. As mentioned before, USFA offers official resources and documentation. The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association offers a list of safety resources with important insights, valuable statistics and official instructions on how to maintain a fire-safe work environment.
Have your premises inspected regularly for compliance. If you go beyond basic standards and try to anticipate changes in regulations, this will make keeping up and complying with new regulations easier.