Fire Safety
Fire safety is the concern of saving the life and property from various fire disasters. It concerns safety measures to prevent the effects of fires. This can be done by proper use of various fire protection methods under the guidance of expert fire fighters. If a person is using proper fire protection methods than one can always avoid these fire hazards. For this fire safety the governments around the world are adopting fire codes and other life safety codes. It is a model code which is enforced by fire prevention officers and is a lawful set of rules prescribing minimum requirements to prevent fire and explosion hazards that can arise from storage or handling of dangerous and flammable materials or from other hazardous conditions.
There are certain measures that need to be taken care for fire safety and are of major concern. The basic of all is that while construction of any building there should be proper maintenance of fire exits and there should be proper signage of them (e.g., exit signs pointing to them that can function in a power failure). As fire extinguishers play a very important role in fire safety. These are an active fire protection device that is used to put of fires. It typically consists of a pressure vessel containing an agent that when discharged under pressure can extinguish fire. So there should be proper placing and maintenance of extinguishers as well. There are typical steps to follow while using fire extinguishers for fire safety:
(P) Pull the safety pin.(A) Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, from a safe distance, about six feet.
(S) Squeeze the handle.
(S) Sweep the extinguisher from side to side while aiming at the base of the fire.
Another fire safety measure is that there should be proper storage facilities for explosive chemicals and flammable materials. Fire protection teams are there for the regular inspection of public buildings and analyze their construction. A very important part of fire safety includes installation of fire safety alarm systems for quick detection and warning in case of fire. Obtaining and maintaining a complete inventory of fire stops is also significant. There is various fire retardants spray available by which the risk of fire can be reduced. Fire safety cannot be ensured if there is no knowledge or education in accordance to that. The occupants and users of the building should be trained to avoid mistakes. There should be proper awareness in regards to fire safety.
A proper fire safety plan helps to ensure effective utilization of fire safety systems, equipment and procedures. This fire safety plan has a couple of steps that are essential for its complete formation such as: Audit of resources. It should include the detailed descriptions of safety equipments in the building. Emergency signs are very necessary too. Then there are emergency procedures to be followed by the occupants wisely. Control and responsibilities are again involved in fire safety plan for it to be successful.