Fire Tips

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• Establish a fire preparedness plan that takes prevention, response and recovery into consideration.
• Conduct a fire safety appraisal of your facilities and operations.
• Develop smoking regulations (smoking is a major cause of all fires).
• If you have flammable gasses or liquids, make sure you have safe procedures for handling them.
• If your business involves hot work (e.g., welding) make sure safety rules are in effect.
• Employ good housekeeping methods; do not allow trash and rubbish to accumulate.
• Make sure your facilities meet current fire codes.
• Have in place a preventive maintenance program for any operational equipment that may pose a fire hazard.
• Install and maintain fire detection systems (alarms, etc.) and fire suppression systems (fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, etc.) in your facilities.
• Test all detection and suppression equipment per local and national fire codes.
• Ensure that there is an adequate water supply for sprinkler systems.
• Meet with your local fire department to exchange information.
• Keep a list of key customers and all vendors telephone numbers in a secure location.
• Provide an alert and warning system for all your employees.
• Plan fire evacuation routes, mark them clearly and train and drill employees in using them.
• Make sure stairways are not blocked.
• Make sure emergency exits are clearly marked and not locked.

• Identify the affected area and sound the alarm.
• Call the fire department.
• Evacuate everyone.
• Have someone at your front entrance to meet, brief and escort the fire department.
• Do not use elevators.

• If appropriate, conduct a roll call of all personnel.
• Assess the facility for damage.
• Inspect all utilities and turn off those that are damaged.
• Protect equipment and inventory against further damage from water or exposure to the elements.
• If necessary, arrange for security at the scene.
• Photograph or videotape the damage and document it.
• Notify your insurance company.
• Begin your salvage operations.

Links:

• http://www.nfpa.org/Home/index.asp
• http://www.usfa.fema.gov/
• http://www.iafc.org/
• http://www.doi.state.fl.us