When you are responsible for the safety of people in a school, business or senior living location, you don’t want to wait until disaster strikes before finding out if your facility is emergency ready.
The first step is to have a fire department representative check out the facility.
As an authority, he can see the obvious and not so obvious issues that could prove dangerous during an emergency.
The next step in ensuring that your facility is emergency ready is to have automatic devices in place.
For example, fire codes probably require a sprinkler system that automatically activates when a fire is detected. In addition, an alert should be sent to the local fire department so the firefighters could be dispatched immediately. The sprinkler system also usually activates a fire alarm that would sound throughout the building and alert residents to evacuate.
These automatic alerts should also inform the people in charge of the location of the fire. Fire doors might shut automatically and thus contain the fire in a single section of the building. It would also give residents adequate time to be evacuated.
Once the firefighters have checked that these automatic features are active, they will inform the manager of other obvious issues:
- Are exit signs working?
- Do the doors actually open so residents can leave?
- Are there cords across the floor or other obstacles that would hamper residents from leaving quickly?
- Are exits blocked by desks, large planters or furniture?
A “fire warden” should be designated for the facility in case other overseers are not available. This probably should not be a person who frequently travels. This person should also have adequate training for this role.
What about fire extinguishers? Which one is best to use for your facility to be emergency ready? The extinguishers should be checked to make sure they are functioning and in an obvious location.
- Class A extinguisher is for flames igniting wood, paper or cloth.
- Class B extinguisher is useful in restaurants and commercial kitchens. It uses foam to halt fires caused by grease, cooking oils or fuels.
- Class C fire extinguisher is used for electrical fires.
- Class D extinguisher is for flammable metals.
What You Should Do Now
To make your facility is emergency ready, leaders must make sure that an emergency plan has been created and practiced by building personnel.
Businesses and schools are familiar with these kinds of drills. However, a senior living facility must be ready with a detailed plan. Often residents do not move well, are confined to wheelchairs or beds. Workers at these facilities must have step-by-step plans on how to evacuate these residents.
Detailed plans, practicing evacuations and having equipment that works are vitally important. Facility owners must ensure that automatic devices have been installed and are functioning. When a fire, flood or natural disaster strikes, the most immediate action should be taken by automatic alerts.
Contact Us Today to Learn About Emergency Preparedness and Get a Free Estimate!
To learn how you can automate your disaster preparedness, contact Smartshield Solutions at (866) 891-9183 or email us at info@smartshield.solutions. The trained personnel there will equip you so your facility will be emergency ready.