Office Fires

VOFFICE FIRES OFFICE FIRE FACTS INCIDENCE RATE 3,340 The National Fire Protection Association estimates that U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 3,340 fires in office properties per year These fires caused an annual average of 4 civilian deaths 44 civilian fire injuries and $112 million in direct property damage The vast of the fires in this category were in business offices COMMON TIME OF DAY (b 31% The peak times of day for these fires are Less than 1/3 (31%) occur between 7PM and 7AM, but fires during this time period account for between noon and 2:00 PM 67% of direct 67% property damage AA A A A Fewer fires occur in offices on the weekends About 1 in 5 office fires (19%) occurs on weekend and account for 31% of associated property loss since they are less likely to be fully populated COMMON CAUSES 29% of fires in office properties are caused by cooking equipment and account for 6% of ******* property damage 6% 29% 12% are caused by electrical distribution and lighting equipment and account for 15% of property damage 15% 12% 11% are caused by heating equipment and account for just 3% of property damage "******* 3% 11% 10% are intentionally set and account for 20% of property damage 20% 10% 9% are caused by smoking materials and account for 5% of property damage 5% 9% 4% are caused by exposure and account for 18% of property damage (18% 4% 3% are caused by electronic, office, or 7% entertainment equipment and account for 7% of property damage 3% COMMON LOCATION 4 out of 5 office property fires are confined to the room of origin 22% of reported fires in offices begin in the kitchen or cooking area exterior roof (3%) attic/ceiling (2%) exterior wall (3%) bathroom/locker room/ check room (4%) heating equipment room (4%) outside area (4%) 12% began in the office (and also accounted for 24% of property damage) lobby (3%). EXTINGUISHING DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIRES Class Ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, trash, clothing, plastics, or other materials that leave an ash Extinguish with water or a typical fire extinguisher Class Smother to deplete oxygen supply use a Class Bextinguisher, or expose to carbon dioxide. Flammable liquids or gases like oil, gasoline, paint thinner, propane, etc. Do NOT use water Use only fire extinguishers labeled as ABC or BC Class C Electrical fires Do NOT use water, it can increase the risk of electrocution There are special classes of fire extinguishers that contain sodium chloride (salt) or a graphite metal-based powder, depending on the type of metal that caused the fire Class D Combustible metal fires, the most common being magnesium and titanium Do NOT use water or carbon dioxide Class Use a fire extinguisher labeled as ABC or BC that contains carbon dioxide or dry chemicals K Fires involving cooking oils, grease, or animal fat Do NOT use water 3. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE SAFETY The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires businesses to maintain certain standards in order to provide a safe workplace An employee alarm system is legally required to warn employees of a hazardous event such as a fire Fire extinguishers, fixed extinguishing systems, and exit routes are considered part of an alarm system C Businesses are also legally required by OSHA to have an emergency action plan that organizes employee actions during an emergency such as a fire An emergency action plan for a typical office should include: Procedures to follow for Procedures to account for all employees after an emergency evacuation has been completed An evacuation policy that Many businesses assign an reporting fires, emergency numbers, and who to contact outlines who is authorized "Evacuation warden" to to order an evacuation, when to evacuate, and what account for everyone and assist others escape routes to take Rescue and medical duties, including employees assigned the duties and their training A description of the alarm system in place to notify employees of a fire A secure offsite location for duplicates of important records, legal documents, employees' emergency contact lists, and other records 24 Fire Safety & Prevention Tips Regularly update your emergency action plan 2 Ensure employees are trained and educated on escape routes and their responsibilities during a fire, such as reporting the fire, using the alarm system, evacuating, or other duties Keep emergency exits and escape routes from being blocked or difficult to navigate Maintain routine service checks on sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and other fire safety equipment 4, Keep non-essential office equipment or small appliances in break rooms or kitchen areas clean and unplugged unless in use Keep office equipment regularly serviced and repaired Do not overload electrical outlets and do not use frayed wires Get a fire risk assessment and follow the recommendations 8 Consider installing pre-flare-up fire detection sensors that detect the potential for a fire and alert the business owner, property manager, guard on duty, etc. Sources http://www.air-n-water.com/fire-types.htm https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/eap.html https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/alarms.html http://www.hueandcry.com/blog/fire-alarms/common-causes-of-business-fires http://www.sdasecurity.com/general/simple-ways-to-reduce-fire-risks-for-your-business http://www.nfpa.org/~/media/Files/Research/NFPA%20reports/Occupancies/osoffices.pdf http://www.falckproductions.com/resources/fire-safety-and-firewatch/classes-of-fire-a-b-c-d-and-k EKU Online http://safetydegree.eku.edu/ 要 ( 既 ( 理 )