Fire Safety Procedures for the Workplace
The bad news—a fire breaks out in your workplace.
The good news—you are ready because you have done your homework and prepared for the possibility of an emergency.
Emergency Action Plan
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires most employers to have an emergency action plan for various scenarios, including fires in the workplace.
There are two main steps businesses need to take for their fire emergency action plans:
- Create a plan
- Train your employees
While the first step seems obvious, until there is an actual, detailed plan on paper, you have nothing specific to share with the employees.
Creating a Fire Safety Plan
There are several resources available to help you create your plan, including OSHA’s guidelines.
Make sure your plan is included in your employee manual and is part of any onboarding materials for new employees. It is also recommended to have the highlights of your plan—including floor plans and escape routes—posted in a public place like a break room.
An emergency action plan for fires should also include details on how to alert the employees, how to report the fire, and how to evacuate the facility.
The OSHA plan recommends you:
- Make sure alarms are distinctive and recognized by all employees as a signal to evacuate the work area or perform actions identified in your plan.
- Make available an emergency communications system such as a public address system, portable radio unit, or other means to notify employees of the emergency and to contact local law enforcement, the fire department, and others.
- Stipulate that alarms must be able to be heard, seen, or otherwise perceived by everyone in the workplace.
Make sure alarms are distinctive and recognized by all employees as a signal to evacuate the work area or perform actions identified in your plan.
Make available an emergency communications system such as a public address system, portable radio unit, or other means to notify employees of the emergency and to contact local law enforcement, the fire department, and others.
Stipulate that alarms must be able to be heard, seen, or otherwise perceived by everyone in the workplace.
Employee Fire Safety Training
Training on the plan should happen on an annual basis at a minimum. Set aside time to read through, quiz, and drill your procedures with your employees.
Changes in the physical structure of the workplace, i.e., building expansions and remodels or adding new fire prevention equipment, require additional training, so employees know how to locate and safely operate them.
FSS offers a wide range of individually customized fire alarms and protection systems for your business. Our certified technicians will work with your company to create a fire safety system best suited for your needs.
Explore Our Other Blogs
Avigilon Alta: Leading Commercial Access Control
With the rise in popularity of hybrid workspaces and flexible scheduling, more business owners are turning to access control systems to secure their investments. Not only are access control systems the latest standard for commercial security, but FSS Technologies is a proud partner with Avigilon Alta, the leading access control system manufacturer. Why Avigilon Alta?…
Hard-Wired vs Wireless Security Systems
The chicken or the egg. Not asking which came first in this case, just which one you like better. In the world of security systems, which came first between wired and wireless was answered long ago. But the question of which is better remains. Let’s start with a quick overview of how each of these…
Can Your CCTV and Access Control Systems be Integrated?
When setting up security for your business, you might consider adding CCTV and access control systems. These two security measures work great to deter crime on their own, and provide even greater security when integrated. This pairing has many advantages, but it is also a complex setup that may not be right for you. There…
5 Common Fire Safety Violations
For business owners, maintaining a commercial fire safety system is crucial for day-to-day protection. Ensuring your system and its components are in order is especially important when your business’ fire inspection occurs each year. Even if you do everything you can to prepare for your next fire inspection, you may only realize you missed something…
What to Do if Someone Breaks into Your House
Arriving home to find that your home has been burglarized is one of the worst feelings someone can have. You’re left feeling raw, vulnerable, and angry. In this time of high stress, it may be hard to put your thoughts together to remember everything that now needs to be done. We have put together a list…
Can Motion Sensors be Triggered by Light?
Motion sensors are a common part of our world today. Wave your hand under the faucet and the water runs. Pull open the closet door and the light turns on. Walk near the doors of the grocery store and they automatically slide open. Motion sensors are devices that detect movement. They are common features in…
How to Deter Burglars
While owning a home security system automatically decreases your chances of being burglarized, there are many common mistakes and oversights that can compromise its reliability. Here are the most important safety precautions you can take in conjunction with your security system to ensure your home is safe from thieves. Create the Illusion that Someone is…
How Do Wireless Doorbells Work?
A doorbell is a pretty self-explanatory tool—you press the button outside, and a chime goes off inside, alerting the homeowner that someone is at the front door. Like everything else, though, today’s technology has brought even the humble doorbell into the limelight as an indispensable tool for convenience and security. Pros and Cons of Wireless…
How Security Cameras Work at Night
Security Camera Night Vision Light is crucial for a camera to work. Without light, the camera can’t see anything, so how do security cameras work at night? Infrared radiation (IR), or infrared light, is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to human eyes. It is essentially energy, a heat, that all objects emanate….
Emergency Egress 101 for Commercial Buildings
When people think about emergency egress, they usually picture exit signs and the nearest door. In reality, egress is the entire route occupants rely on to get out quickly and safely—often under heightened stress, reduced visibility, and crowded conditions. When a means of egress isn’t clear or usable, even a minor emergency can turn into…