Following fire safety codes is necessary to prevent fires and ensure the safety of employees in the workplace. Regardless of whether your workforce is on-site or a hybrid, the physical space that employees occupy should be kept up to the current fire standards. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offer a code and standards handbook on their website. In addition to having a copy of the current fire protection codes, companies need a plan to inspect the workplace for sources of fire, a fire safety officer, and fire protection equipment.
Many workplace fires start due to carelessness. Every company should have a plan to routinely check the workplace for common fire hazards such as old or damaged equipment and appliances, large concentrations of dust, or paperwork gathering in inappropriate places. These can all lead to short circuits resulting in fires that can cause significant damage to property and people.
A fire safety officer can also help to prevent workplace fires. The fire safety officer can be responsible for the routine check for common fire hazards as well as develop procedures to evacuate in case of fire, train employees on the company fire plan, where to meet when they evacuate, and keep updated information on all office equipment. They can also conduct a monthly, quarterly, or yearly fire drill to practice company procedures for fire safety.
Fire suppression and alert equipment should be installed in every workplace. Fire suppression systems are complex devices that are strategically placed in different areas of the office building or kitchen. They can automatically trigger when the temperature makes a drastic change or triggered manually with an emergency switch. When activated, they release chemical extinguishers to the area. Fire suppression systems must be installed in compliance with fire codes and the installation is best left to a professional. After installation, test the system and make sure it is regularly inspected by your fire safety officer and the local fire marshal to ensure compliance with local laws and fire safety codes. NFPA publishes more than 300 fire codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks that are adopted and used throughout the world.
Keeping up with current fire safety codes can be a lot to manage. Professional organizations such as Millennium Fire and Security have more than 20 years of experience handling heat detectors, smoke detectors, manual pull stations, fire sprinklers, duct smoke detectors, clean agent FM200 systems, smoke evacuation systems, door controls, and more. They can help educate a fire safety officer; they are already up to date on the current fire safety codes, and they are experts at fire safety equipment, including the installation of fire alarms and suppression systems. Millennium Fire and Security offers monthly, quarterly, or annual maintenance plans so you can focus on your business and not your fire prevention and suppression needs. Millennium Fire & Security wants to get you set up with the best and most efficient systems to promote safety and decrease fire risk. For more information on how Millennium Fire and Security can help your business, give them a call at (407) 603-3881.
