Home Fire Prevention

Home Fire Prevention

This is a basic fire safety guide. Over 1.13 lakh people killed in fire accidents between 2010 and 2014. Report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) of the Union home ministry shows that a total of 20,377 cases of fire accidents were reported in the country during 2014 which caused deaths of 19,513 persons and injuries to 1,889 others. The worst part is that most home fires are preventable. Waking up to smoke and flames is one of the worst things that can happen to your family and home. Keep your family and your home safe with just a little fire safety preparation and prevention. Madhya Pradesh is the second-worst state when it comes to fire safety, with 2,291 accidental fires kiling 2,305 people in 2014, according to NCRB data. From creating a fire escape plan to making sure your smoke detectors are working properly, these fire safety tips are easy to learn and practice in your home. Maharashtra recorded nearly a quarter of all accidental fires and a fifth of all deaths in 2014, more than twice as many fires and 70% more deaths than second placed Madhya Pradesh.

How to prevent home fires

Home fires can occur for a variety of reasons, but many are preventable.  Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires, accounting for over half of home fires in 2015, followed by heating equipment, electrical malfunction, intentional fires and smoking materials.

Home fires are not 100 percent preventable. Though, you can take necessary steps today to reduce your risk of home fires. Here’s how:

• Install and maintain smoke alarms on every floor of your home and within every bedroom. Roughly 50% of home fire deaths occur during the night while people are sleeping.
• Never leave food cooking unattended, especially deep fryers and other frying equipment.
• Avoid using portable and fixed space heaters, as heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fire deaths.
• Have a fire plan that gets you out of your home in less than two minutes and practice it.
• Avoid smoking in the house.

Electrical safety & home fire prevention

Electrical malfunctions are one of the leading causes of home fires. Make sure that you hire a qualified electrician to make any changes in your home. In addition, be sure to check electrical cords regularly, and make sure cords do not run across doorways or under carpets where they could be damaged.

Remember to limit the number of plugs you have in an electrical outlet or power strip. Overloading an electrical outlet can not only trip a breaker, but it could also start a fire.

Additionally, only use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage for each lamp. Your lamps and light fixtures should have a sticker that indicates the maximum wattage light bulb you may use.

Visit: http://bhadrafiresafety.blogspot.com/2018/05/electrical-safety-around-water.html

Testing your smoke detector could save your life

If you have smoke alarm, then every smoke alarm should be tested monthly by pushing the “test” button and batteries should be changed when needed. It is best to always have at least one spare battery. If your smoke alarm ever “chirps,” it is time to replace the battery immediately. Most smoke alarm failures occur because of a missing or disconnected battery or a dead battery.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that three out of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires where there were non-working smoke detectors or no smoke detectors at all. Having the proper fire safety equipment in your home can truly save your life.

Where to install smoke detectors

The NFPA recommends installing a smoke alarm on every floor, including the basement, and inside every sleeping room. Smoke alarms should be mounted high on a wall not more than a foot from the ceiling or on the ceiling. Remember, smoke rises.

• Kitchen: It is critical to mount smoke alarms in the kitchen at least 10 feet from any cooking appliance to minimize false alarms when cooking.
• Basement: Smoke alarms in the basement should be installed on the ceiling near the bottom step of the stairs up to the first floor.

There are many brands and types of smoke alarms you can choose from. All of the best smoke alarms should meet the Underwriters Laboratories Standard. Look for the UL label on the packaging.

How to use a fire extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are helpful for putting out small fires. You can contact your local fire department for fire extinguisher training. Or, follow these simple recommendations from the Fire safety Administration. To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word “PASS:”

1. Pull the pin. Hold the fire extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and remove the pin to unlock it.
2. Aim low. Point the nozzle at the base of the fire.
3. Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
4. Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

Fire extinguishers should be checked regularly and tested by a professional every few years.

It’s also useful to know that there are five different types of fire extinguishers for putting out different kinds of fires.

1. Class A extinguishers: for use on materials like cloth, wood, and paper.
2. Class B extinguishers: for use on combustible and flammable liquids like oil, gasoline, and grease.
3. Class C extinguishers: best for electrical equipment and appliances like stoves, televisions, and computers.
4. Class D extinguishers: for use with flammable metals.
5. Class K extinguishers: best for cooking oils commonly found in commercial kitchens, including vegetable oil.

Most dwellings have a multipurpose extinguisher that covers Classes A, B, and C. You can purchase these types of fire extinguishers at any home improvement store.

Visit: http://bhadrafiresafety.blogspot.com/2018/06/fire-extinguisher-buying-guide.html

Create a fire escape plan with your family

Home fires can rapidly spread, and every second counts. Having a plan in place where you and your family can get out of the house in under two minutes once the alarm sounds is critical for your family’s safety.

Everyone in your family should know how to dial 1-0-0 in the case of emergency. In addition, teach your children what a smoke alarms sounds like and what to do if they hear one. You should also establish and practice a fire escape plan, especially if you have small children. Here some tips for creating your fire escape plan:

1. Draw a floor plan of your entire house that shows all the doors and windows.
2. Show and discuss the plan with everyone in the house.
3. Identify at least two ways out of every room, if possible. This could be through doors or windows.
4. Once outside, everyone should meet at an agreed upon meeting place a safe distance from the house. It could be the mailbox or the neighbor’s fence. Just make sure it is easy for young children to get there.

Basic fire safety tips for kids and families

Help your family stay safe in the event of a fire. Do not let children play with matches, lighters or candles. Keep these items up and away from young children. In addition, teach your kids these basic fire safety tips to help ensure they know what to do during a fire emergency.

1. Teach children that if a doorknob is hot, you should NOT open the door.
2. Teach children how to “Stop, Drop, and Roll.”
3. Teach your kids to crawl on their hands and knees if they see smoke.
4. Take your child to the fire house to meet a firefighter. This way, they learn what a firefighter looks like in their fire gear.
5. Teach your child to never hide under the bed or in the closet.

Fire safety recap

There’s no 100% guarantee that a fire will never happen in your home. That’s why it pays to be prepared and take steps to reduce the risk of a home fire. Follow the three “P’s” – prevent, plan, and practice. Make sure your home has working smoke alarms, your family has a fire escape plan, and you have practiced it.

Also visit: http://bhadrafiresafety.blogspot.com/2018/07/fire-safety-for-sweet-home.html

Exit Route as on OSHA

OSHA’s Means of Egress Requirements, 1910 Subpart E

Do your employees know how to escape in an emergency? Do you have enough exits for prompt evacuation? Have your exit routes, discharges and accesses been properly designed and constructed?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) emergency evacuation requirements are contained under Subpart E of the General Industry Standards, 29 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 1910.

Under the umbrella of Subpart E, employers will find OSHA’s requirements for exit routes, as well as their standards for both emergency action and fire prevention plans. In addition to OSHA’s emergency egress requirements, employers must be cognizant of the emergency egress requirements of their local fire department. Local fire departments and Fire Marshals will typically be enforcing the emergency evacuation requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The local Fire Marshal or fire department inspector is considered to be the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). And as noted below, OSHA recognizes compliance with the NFPA’s egress guidelines as meeting OSHA’s standards.

OSHA breaks down their exit route requirements within Subpart E as follows:

• Compliance with Alternate Exit-Route Codes (1910.35),
• Design and Construction Requirements for Exit Routes (1910.36), and
• Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes (1910.37).

In addition, under 1910.34, OSHA provides definitions related to egress. It’s here that the scope of the Subpart E is called out under 1910.34(a), where it states that every employer within general industry is covered by the requirements, with the exception of mobile workplaces such as vehicles or vessels.

Alternate Exit-Route Codes

OSHA recognizes some employers may be following the emergency evacuation requirements of other regulatory agencies. It acknowledges and accepts this under 1910.35 where it states, “OSHA will deem an employer demonstrating compliance with the exit-route provisions of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2009 edition, or the exit-route provisions of the International Fire Code, 2009 edition, to be in compliance with the corresponding requirements in 1910.34, 1910.36, and 1910.37.” Both the NFPA 101: Life Safety Code® and the International Fire Code were last updated in 2015.

Design and Construction Requirements for Exit Routes, 1910.36

A couple key definitions are important to understand prior to reviewing OSHA’s emergency egress design and construction requirements. These definitions are found in 1910.34:

• Exit – means that portion of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge. An example of an exit is a two-hour fire resistance-rated enclosed stairway that leads from the fifth floor of an office building to the outside of the building.
• Exit Access – means that portion of an exit route that leads to an exit. An example of an exit access is a corridor on the fifth floor of an office building that leads to a two-hour fire resistance- rated enclosed stairway (the Exit).
• Exit Discharge – means the part of the exit route that leads directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside. An example of an exit discharge is a door at the bottom of a two-hour fire resistance-rated enclosed stairway that discharges to a place of safety outside the building.
• Exit Route – means a continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety (including refuge areas). An exit route consists of three parts: The exit access; the exit; and, the exit discharge. (An exit route includes all vertical and horizontal areas along the route.)
• High Hazard Area – means an area inside a workplace in which operations include high hazard materials, processes, or contents.
• Occupant Load – means the total number of persons that may occupy a workplace or portion of a workplace at any one time. The occupant load of a workplace is calculated by dividing the gross floor area of the workplace or portion of the workplace by the occupant load factor for that particular type of workplace occupancy. Information regarding the "Occupant load" is located in NFPA 101-2015, Life Safety Code, and in IFC-2015, International Fire Code.

Under 1910.36, OSHA covers the basic design and construction requirements for exit routes and offers additional details in the following areas:

• Number of exit routes needed
• Exit discharge requirements
• Locking considerations for exit doors
• Design requirements for exit doors
• Capacity and size requirements for exit routes
• Considerations for outdoor exit routes

Exit routes must be a permanent part of the workplace and exits themselves must be separated by fire resistant materials. In facilities where an exit connects three or fewer stories, the materials used to construct the exit must have a one-hour fire-resistance rating; for four or more stories a two-hour fire- resistance rating is required for exit construction materials.

In addition, openings to an exit are limited to only those from occupied areas of the workplace or into the exit discharge. All openings into an exit must be protected by a self-closing approved fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency. The fire door, frame and hardware must be listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

At least two exit routes must be available unless the number of employees, size of the building, its occupancy or the arrangement of the workplace is such that all employees would be able to evacuate using a single exit route. Where more than one exit route is present in a workplace, they must be located as far away from each other as possible to prevent all egress routes from being blocked by smoke or fire during an emergency. More than two exit routes must be available if the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace is such that all employees would not be able to safely evacuate during an emergency.

As noted in the definition above, the exit discharge must lead to a space with access to the outside. It must also be large enough to accommodate the anticipated number of building occupants likely to use it. And if it contains stairs that continue beyond the level at which the exit discharge is located, it must contain a door, partition or some other effective means to clearly indicate direction of travel leading to the exit discharge.

An exit route door cannot be controlled by any mechanical device that could fail causing the door to lock. Employees must be able to open the exit route door from the inside at all times without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge. The only exception to this would be exit route doors in correctional or mental health facilities. In those types of high security settings, supervisory personnel must be on duty at all times to ensure the facilities emergency egress plan can be safely implemented should the need arise.

In addition, exit route doors must be side-hinged. And if the room that the exit door is servicing is designed to be occupied by more than 50 people or is considered a high hazard area, the side-hinged door must swing out in the direction of egress travel.

Exit routes must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served and the capacity of the exit route cannot decrease in the direction of travel toward the exit discharge. The ceiling of an exit route must be at least seven feet six inches high with any projection down from the ceiling not reaching less than six feet eight inches from the floor.

An exit access must be at least 28 inches wide at all points. And where there is only one exit access leading to an exit or exit discharge, the width of the exit and exit discharge must be at least equal to the width of the exit access. The width of an exit route must be sufficient to accommodate the maximum load capacity of each floor served by the route. Objects that project in must not reduce the width of the exit route to less than the minimum width required for the exit routes.

If an outdoor exit route is used, it must:

• Have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides if a fall hazard exits;
• Have a covering if snow or ice is likely to accumulate along the exit route;
• Have a reasonably straight design with smooth, solid and level walkways, and
• Not have a dead-end longer than 20 feet.

Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes 1910.37

During new construction, as well as facility repairs and alterations, employees cannot occupy a workplace until exit routes are in place and accessible. And during construction, repairs or alterations, employees must not be exposed to the hazards of flammable or explosive substances or equipment that are beyond the normal permissible conditions in the workplace, or that would impede egress.

Exit routes must be arranged so that employees will not have to travel toward a high hazard area, unless the path of travel is protected from the area by partitions or physical barriers. The exit routes must be free and unobstructed, and if they’re not “substantially level” (1910.37(a)(3)) stairs or a ramp must be provided. Also, exit routes must be kept free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings and the safeguards designed to protect employees during an emergency, such as sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors, exit lighting etc., must be in proper working order at all times.

Exit access cannot go through a room that can be locked to reach the exit or exit discharge, nor can exit access lead into a dead-end corridor.

Proper lighting and marking of the exit routes are vital. Each exit route must be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route, and each exit must be clearly marked by a sign that reads “Exit.” Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that can obscure the visibility of the exit route door.

If the direction of travel to the exit is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge. Additionally, the line-of- sight to an exit sign must be clearly visible at all times. Should there be a doorway or passage along the exit access that could be mistaken for an exit, it must be marked as “Not an Exit,” or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use.

Exit sign requirements are detailed in 1910.37(b) (6) and 1910.37(b) (7). OSHA does not specify a mandatory color for exit signs. What they do state is:

• Each exit sign must be illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles (54Lux) by a reliable light source and distinctive in color. Self-luminous or electroluminescent signs that have a minimum luminance surface value of at least .06 footlamberts (0.21 candela/square meter (cd/m2)) are permitted.
• Each exit sign must have the word “Exit” in plainly legible letter not less than six inches (15.2 centimeters (cm)) high, with the principal strokes of the letters in the word “Exit” not less than three-fourths of an inch (1.9 cm) wide.

If there are flame retardant paints or solutions used along the exit routes, they must be reapplied as necessary to maintain their fire retardant nature.

Emergency Action Plans and Fire Prevention Plans 1910.38 & 1910.39

As indicated above, 1910 Subpart E also covers the employer’s requirements for both emergency action and fire prevention plans. For those employers who are uncertain whether they need an emergency action plan, OSHA’s created an easy to use and interactive eTool. Among the resources in The Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool, is an “Expert Systems” tab. This tab includes a series of questions that allow employers to determine whether their facility requires an emergency action plan.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q.		Is there a requirement for exit sign color? Some facilities have Green, other facilities have Red.
A.		There is no OSHA requirement for specific colors, however, OSHA states it must be distinctive in color from the background. NFPA 101 Section 7.10.1.8 states "Every sign required in Section 7.10 shall be located and of such size, distinctive color, and design that it is readily visible and shall provide contrast with decorations, interior finish, or other signs." Some states or local jurisdictions may require a certain color. Always best to check with your local AHJ.
Q.		When is a "No Exit” sign required?
A.		Under 1910.37(b) (5), OSHA states, “Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked “Not an Exit” or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual uses (e.g. closet).” The NFPA does specifically reference the "No Exit" verbiage under NFPA 101 Section 7.10.8.3.1. They state "NO EXIT" sign is needed where, "any door, passage, or stairway that is neither an exit nor a way of exit access and that is located or arranged so that it is likely to be mistaken for an exit.”

Employee Emergency & Fire Prevention Plans

Employee Emergency & Fire Prevention Plans

Employee Emergency Plans

Companies that fall under various OSHA standards such as 1910.120(l), hazardous waste operations and emergency response and 1910.119(n), process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals are required to have emergency evacuation plans that comply with 1910.38. Written employee emergency and fire prevention plans need to be kept by the employer in the workplace for companies with more than ten employees. Companies with ten or fewer employees may communicate the plans verbally. Employees should have access to these plans and should receive training related to emergency procedures. New employees should be informed of these plans during their orientation process. Current employees need to receive updates on plan revisions as they occur.

Employee emergency and fire prevention plans may vary to comply with specific company operation, but should follow the guidelines set by OSHA. Plans must include procedures for evacuating physically impaired workers. All employees must be familiar with the evacuation signal, whether it be communicated verbally or by bells, whistles or sirens. The alarm system must comply with scope, application, general requirements, installation and restoration, maintenance, testing and manual operation as stated in1910.165.

Emergency plans should include the following according to CFR 1910.38:

• ·       Emergency escape procedures and escape route assignments
• ·       Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plan operations before they evacuate 
• ·       Procedures to account for all employees after emergency evacuations have been completed
• ·       Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them
• ·       The preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies
• ·       Names or regular job titles of persons or department who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan

Fire Prevention Plans

Employees should know the alarm procedure, where to find alarms and how to sound or activate them. Emergency phone numbers should be posted by phones. Employees should respond immediately when the alarm is sounded, whether it is a drill or an actual fire. Personal work areas should be secured, if time permits, by turning off machinery or equipment, securing hazardous materials or locking up confidential documents.

Evacuation routes must be indicated by signs or workplace maps outlining alternate escape routes. These must be posted in visible locations. A plan must include a designated area to meet for a head count immediately after evacuation.

According to CFR 1910.39, fire prevention plans should include the following:

• ·       A list of the major workplace hazards, their proper handling and storage procedures and potential ignition sources, including equipment/systems installed specifically to handle a fire involving them
• ·       Names/job titles of personnel responsible for maintenance of equipment and fire prevention and control devices installed within specific equipment
• ·       Names/job titles of personnel responsible for fuel source hazard control
• ·       A list of systems installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent accidental ignition of combustible material
• ·       Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials.
•   E stablishing emergency plans and facilitating employee training help prevent fire deaths and injuries in the workplace. Saving lives is the goal for employee emergency and fire prevention plans. The plans only work if people know and follow the procedures.
  

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: Why is it important to meet for a head count in the event of an emergency or fire?

A: It is crucial to have a designated place to meet after the evacuation process. The head count helps to determine if anyone might possibly be trapped in the building. Failing to report to this designated meeting place could endanger the life of someone who re-enters the building in an attempt to find a missing person.

Q. Why is it important to keep exits clear?

A: It is important to keep paths, escape routes and aisles clear to ensure everyone can quickly exit the building. Clutter and debris might prohibit an exit door from opening to allow for escape.

Q. What is the evacuation plan?

Emergency evacuation is the immediate and urgent movement of people away from the threat or actual occurrence of a hazard. Examples range from the small scaleevacuation of a building due to a storm or fire to the large scale evacuation of a district because of a flood, bombardment or approaching weather system.

Q. What is a fire protection plan?

A Fire Protection Plan is a requirement needed for a building to obtain its Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). An FPP provides you with detailed floor plans of the building that shows all exits, doors, corridors and partitions serving as fire barriers.

Q. What is an emergency action plan?

An emergency action plan (EAP) is a written document required by particular OSHA standards [29 CFR 1910.38(a)]. The purpose of an EAP is to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies.