Understanding Fire Safety Protocols

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

Every person in your building needs to know how to use an extinguisher.

Safety is an important aspect of every building's established procedures. It's not enough to have your protocols written down in a manual and tucked away on the shelf, though. You must make sure that every employee knows the fire safety practices for your building in White Bear Lake, MN. At minimum, everyone needs training on how to use a fire extinguisher and what to do in the event of an emergency.

Fire Safety Practices That Every Employee Should Know

Extinguisher Usage

Every person in your building needs to know how to use an extinguisher. According to fire damage experts, correct usage follows the P.A.S.S. method:

• Pull the pin to break the seal.
  
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
  
• Squeeze the handle to release the contents of the canister.
  
• Sweep the spray back and forth along the base of the fire.
  

Not every flame requires calling emergency services. Often, a small fire can be doused with the tools you have on hand. For example, a small kitchen fire in your break room should be easy to put out with a fire extinguisher. If the canister is emptied and the fire still persists, however, it is time to get the professionals involved.

Emergency Assessment

If a fire is too big to put out with an extinguisher, evacuation procedures should be immediately put into action. Everyone in the building should have the training necessary to know exactly what to do in the event of an emergency. In addition to regular training and fire drills, evacuation routes should be posted in prominent locations on every level throughout the building for easy reference.

Understanding fire safety practices such as using a fire extinguisher and when to evacuate the building is essential for everyone who works in your building. The more people know about the protocols you have in place, the more likely they are to be able to get themselves and others to safety should a fire occur.