Fire is an important aspect of office safety, and it requires a strategically placed fire extinguisher that minimize the risk.
Fires can happen at any time, so having a portable fire extinguisher is a must in order to save lives and protect property. It can put a small fire out or keep it in control until the fire department shows up.
Here, we look at the best way to position fire extinguishers in the workplace in order to protect the workforce and valuable items from harm.
Regulatory Compliance
The most important thing to keep in mind in placing fire extinguishers is any local and national codes.
According to the size and nature of the work place, a few organizations describes about the kind, extent and placing of fire extinguisher. These and other such regulations should be known to employers and made part of their workspaces to avoid legal consequences, but more importantly, to save lives.
Recognize Fire Hazards and Types
The first thing you will need to do prior to figuring out where to place fire extinguisher at your work is to be able to pinpoint out where the potential fire hazards can be found within the work place!
Not all fires are created equal, and as such, you shouldn’t just pick up the nearest fire extinguisher when a blaze breaks out.
- In a Class A fire, ordinary combustible materials, such as wood and paper, are ignited. Class B fires are comprised of flammable liquids; Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment.
- Class D fire uses combustible metal as the fuel. Class D fires are not extinguished by traditional water-based agents because water reacts with burning metals and can actually worsen the situation. Dry powder is used as an extinguishing agent in Class D extinguishers, to prevent reaction between the combustible metal and oxygen thus stopping the fire.
- Class K fires involve cooking appliances which are fueled by flammable cooking oils and fats. Wet chemical extinguishers can also be used on Class K type fires, as they contain a special extinguishing agent that forms a soapy foam as it reacts with the hot cooking oil.
There are different types of fire extinguishers and with knowledge of the kind of fire risks that you have, you can place them in locations that will give you control over specific fire hazards.
Accessibility and Visibility
Be sure that employees have access to and can see a fire extinguisher. Tank to fire extinguisher
Portable fire extinguishers located next to exits, in high-risk areas and in environments with electrical devices may have an impact on the time taken to respond in case of an emergency. Accessibility is no less relevant; workers must not have to search to find a portable fire extinguisher.
Lighting and clear signage will further improve the general effectiveness of fire extinguisher location.
Optimum Coverage and Spacing
Fire extinguishers, when distributed, should be strategically located to cover all areas of the workplace. Care should be taken to have a clearance guideline to avoid any part of the facility from being inaccessible.
Most fire extinguishers will be no more than 75 feet away in commercial buildings. As such, with this employee can reach to an extinguisher in such short time, preventing the expansion of the fire.
Periodical Maintenance and Training
Where fire extinguishers are concerned, as important as whereabouts are their capabilities.
They should be tested and refilled as necessary as part of periodic maintenance checks to ensure their proper functioning. Moreover, equipping staff with training on how to properly use a fire extinguisher also increases their vivacious response to an emergency.
Fire extinguisher placement in the workplace is an important part of all fire prevention. Compliant with regulations, finding fire hazards, accessibility and visibility, provision (enough of them), and replenishment and staff training all decrease the risks that may result in harm to befall the people working within. Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, and following these best practices helps to ensure the health and safety of everyone at the workplace.
Work with Brazas Fire for Fire Extinguisher Placement and Compliance
Brazas Fire is an important ally in helping companies maintain compliance with fire extinguisher requirements and implement fire extinguisher placement strategies on site.
With our knowledge, we ensure that businesses adhere to the local and national requirements for fire safety. Our analysis offers guidance to a workplace in the special requirements and any fire hazards and the corresponding recommended fire extinguisher ratings.
Not only can we establish the appropriate number and kind of extinguishers, we work with you to ensure they are placed strategically for the most effective outcomes. With the support the Brazas Fire, business will be able to get a holistic solution that takes every aspects of accessibility, system visibility, and coverage in accordance to their the layout of their business and the fire risk.
Even better, Brazas Fire offers preventative maintenance and staff training, providing a complete solution to better workplace fire safety.
Call Brazas Fire now at 505-889-8999 to learn more.