How To Prepare a Fire Escape Plan for Your Business
10/26/2020 (Permalink)
Prepare a Fire Escape Plan For Your Business
When it comes to minimizing harm during a fire, having a contingency plan in place is the most important measure any business can take. Follow the below guidelines to create one for yours.
Check Your Equipment
Before establishing an evacuation plan, make sure you have up-to-date and operable:
- Emergency lights
- Fire doors
- Extinguishers
- Alarms
- Bullhorns, whistles or megaphones
These items are critical to executing effective, organized escapes during emergencies in Morgan Township, OH. If your location needs improvements in relation to any of these elements, consult a fire safety expert who can provide proper guidance.
Create Your Plan
Discuss with your team where fires are likely to break out, why they might start and what should be done during specific scenarios. Your contingency plan will benefit greatly if you first examine the overall picture before getting lost in the details.
Have at least two escape routes for every location. Post maps illustrating these paths in clearly visible, well-trafficked areas. Reinforce this information through mass emails explicitly outlining specific steps to be followed. Remind employees that heavy equipment such as chairs and filing cabinets can be used to break windows if an alternative passage is needed.
Designate outside spots where groups are to gather. The individual tasked with performing a headcount should have everyone’s name and assigned assembly point at the ready. Remember that each post must be spacious enough to comfortably accommodate the expected number of employees.
Running practice drills provides assurance that everyone knows exactly where to go and what to do during a true fire event. Besides extensive damage requiring a commercial fire restoration professional to fix, actual blazes create panic and confusion. Therefore, never warn your staffers ahead of time. The element of surprise is an essential ingredient in revealing any plan’s weaknesses.
Workplace security mandates that every company has a contingency plan at the ready. Put one together as soon as possible if yours is not already protected.