“Fire extinguuishers are important tools that need to be strategically placed in your office to fulfill its intended role in the event of a fire outbreak.”
Fires can occur anytime anywhere even at working stations. It is very important to have fire extinguishers within different areas of your office in order to prevent the fire from causing harm to your workers and assets in case it occurs. However, where should you install these sensors to get the optimal results? Below are the five crucial areas that must be provided with fire extinguishers within your workplace:
1. The Kitchen/Lunch Room
First of all, the fire extinguisher should be located in the office kitchen and lunch room as they are at a high risk of fires. This area contains several appliances such as microwave ovens, toaster, coffee makers and the likes; therefore, it is highly likely to have fire . Irritant dusts such as flammable oils, paper products, and foodstuffs run high risks of catching fire. Should have an ABC type extinguisher to fight against combustible, flammable and electrical classes of fire and must be placed near the exit. Ensure that safety measures are taught to the staff when they are not busy handling some emergencies.
2. Computer Server Rooms/IT Areas
Any room that has computer servers, technical equipment, and telephone systems is the best place to consider installing a fire extinguisher. Some of these areas have many electrical appliances like TV’s, fridges, air conditioners that may overheat and cause a fire through a short circuit. They should be located near and around the entrance of the room so that the Position ABC extinguishers can be accessed easily. Technical areas are particularly vulnerable to rapid fire spread and the faster it is controlled, the more equipment is saved.
3. The areas mentioned comprises of electrical, mechanical and boiler rooms.
The fire protection of building areas with machinery, power generator, electrical panels and heating systems also requires special attention. It depends on the size of the room and the equipment that is inside, but at any cost, clean agent and Class C extinguishers that can fight energized electrical fires must be there. Refer to the specific fire code for the points of detail depending on your utility areas. After that, ensure you have placed labels that will point to the location of the extinguisher.
4. Near exits and paths to be taken to evacuate the building
Ensure that fire extinguishers also stand at intervals along the corridors and other routes leading to emergency exits. They should be easily within reach in case of an emergency that would require a hasty exit. Place units in a way that doors and corridors or passages to the exterior are clear or not obstructed. The ones placed near building exits serve to make one who is evacuating the building try to put out a contained fire without going back into the building.
5. The potential for more frequent near misses in frequent work zones with higher risk of injury.
It is also important to think of areas where employees spend considerable duration of their working day as well. Places such as breakout areas with cushioned furniture or open desks at electrical outlets have more fire risks. Position mount units at average height for easy access and inspect pressure gauges as a standard procedure. If there are many people around, ensure that other staff within the vicinity can also know how to discharge them should an emergency happen.
Fire extinguishers and the portable ones coupled with extra sprinklers, smoke detectors and alarms add extra measures of protection. However, fire extinguishers are of no use, in case the people are not aware of how to use them in the event of an emergency. Offer practical training to all the members in your business including the newly hired employees. For those who use it, refresher courses at least once per year help them to boost the confidence in using them. Fire is famous for its ability to spread in a few seconds therefore the main aim would be to save as many lives and as many assets as would be possible.
The placement and sufficient numbers of various types of fire extinguishers mean that there is much safer conditions in the office. Size and location of extinguishers catering for special risk and equipment aspects come in handy in case of fire outbreak. annual safety inspections also assist in ensuring they operate effectively through the year, and in particular, at any one time. The main value that must be preserved at all times is your people and other properties. Adhering to codes and making an actionable response plan provides the employees with the fighting chance that they require for fighting workplace fires.
