Every year across the country a number of different types of buildings are damaged as a result of fire while lives are also lost because appropriate fire protection plans were not implemented. Having a fire in the building is one thing that you always hope will never happen, but in the case of emergency you must be prepared for any eventuality so you must create a fire protection plan. If you have not updated your fire protection plan then you must make sure you incorporate a number of important tips to make sure your contingency plans in the event of a fire are completely up-to-date.
Creating a plan for evacuation
One of the most important steps in making sure an evacuation of your building occur smoothly in the case of an emergency is to have an efficient and effective evacuation plan. One of the easiest ways to make sure that you have an appropriate evacuation strategy is to write a plan that details the specific evacuation route out of the building. In addition to crowd management methods, a system to inform the fire brigade of the emergency that is occurring in your building is also necessary. Furthermore, an evacuation diagram should be mapped out which highlights the main exits from the building in addition to all available routes for people with disabilities as well as an exterior meeting point. Furthermore, your evacuation diagram should include the location of all the fire alarms and fire extinguishers in the building as well as the various hose stations or the controls for the fire alarm system.
Make sure your employees are trained
Another method to make sure you have an appropriate fire protection plan is to provide regular training to all employees so that in the event of an emergency they are aware of their appropriate roles and they have basic fire fighting skills. You should always train your employees to make sure they are able to handle a fire by practising their emergency training about using the correct fire extinguisher. This is particularly important if your building contains high-risk chemicals or other flammable materials. Evacuation training is another important part of a fire protection plan because it helps employees to evacuate in a safe manner to an exterior meeting point. Furthermore, employees need specific training for any other duties they may undertake during a fire emergency.
Annual inspections
Another important element for a comprehensive fire protection plan is to make sure an appropriate authority carries out routine inspection and maintenance of all sprinklers, pumps and alarms in the building. If you are looking for experienced fire protection services in Brisbane, you can carry out a quick online search to find local experts who will help with the development of your plan.
Check your equipment
Regular checks must be made on both fire alarms and fire extinguishers, including checking whether they are located in the correct place, if there are any obstructions to the alarms or extinguishers, whether the locking pin is intact while the pressure gauge should also be checked to make sure that the extinguisher is fully charged.
Always remember to have a comprehensive fire prevention plan to help stop any unexpected emergencies in your building.