ILO Workplace Fire Protection Checklistby David Gold and Kazutaka Kogi |
| Introduction How to use this checklist Managing fire protection Incorporating fire safety in buildings Minimizing fire risks Preparing for fire emergencies Training for fire emergencies |
The successful implementation of this checklist is dependent on the willingness of management to make positive changes in the workplace to improve fire protection as well as a willingness to involve managers, supervisors and workers' representatives in carrying out the checklist exercise.
How to use this checklist:
The team should not hesitate to seek clarification from fire protection specialists at the local fire brigade, the labour inspectorate, occupational safety and health institutes, national safety organizations or national fire protection associations.
This is not an exhaustive list of all necessary measures. The checklist team should feel free to include any additional items into the checklist it feels appropriate to improve fire protection at the workplace Management should establish its own fire protection plan taking into account the local situation.
Managing for fire protection
1. Identify fire risks and necessary measures to minimize such risks within the enterprise by organizing an enterprise-level task group on fire protection including the most senior managerial staff, representatives of different sections and worker representatives.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
2. Establish a procedure that involves the most senior managerial staff, managers of different sections, supervisors and worker representatives to check, at regular intervals, whether all necessary precautions against the risk of fire are effectively taken at in each section within the enterprise.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
3. Based on the advice of the enterprise level task group on fire protection, examine emergency action that may be required in the case of a minor or major fire and establish a written emergency plan detailing emergency assignments for all persons in the enterprise.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
4. Assure that the emergency plan addresses alarm systems, employee actions, and the procedure to account for each worker once the worker reaches an area of safety outside of the workplace.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
5. Periodically request the local fire brigade to review the emergency action plan.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
Incorporating fire safety in buildings
6. Make sure that the overall layout of the premises including buildings, storage facilities, passageways, and other facilities (such as the relations between fuel storage areas and work areas or between explosive storage areas and sources of heat) does not provide any significant fire risks or any particular difficulties in fire emergency action.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
7. Make sure there are adequate walls and doors to restrict the movement of smoke and fire byproducts horizontally and vertically without interfering with evacuation. In large buildings install fire resistant doors for this purpose.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
8. Check, with the advice of qualified personnel, whether the structure of the building is solid enough so as not to collapse (partially or totally)in the course of normal operations or in the course of abnormal situations (such as unusual loading of materials or people, fires, explosions, earthquakes or floods). (Particular attention must be paid to the fact that the structure must be solid enough to allow adequate time for the evacuation of all personnel in case of emergency.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
Minimizing fire risks
9. Isolate flammable solids, liquids and gases from sources of ignition such as open flames, heated surfaces or unprotected electrical wiring to prevent fires and explosions. (This isolation should include adequate marking of such materials; adequate separation; suitable and fire resistant containers and adequate ventilation to prevent the accumulation of flammable vapors or gases.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
10. Restrict the distribution of flammable materials used for daily work to only the minimum amount necessary.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
11. Construct specifically designed fuel storage facilities in a clearly marked location well separated form areas where personnel are working. (All sources of open flame should be restricted from this fuel storage area.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
12. When hazardous chemicals are present, put into practice fire protection measures as indicated on chemical safety data sheets.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
13. When open flames are present (such as welding, cutting or smelting), take adequate precautions such as isolating sources of fuel or combustible materials from the open flames. (Fire protection equipment such as fire extinguishers should be at hand.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
14. Assure that flammable substances or combustible materials are isolated from hot surfaces such as machines, equipment and furnaces.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
15. Install and maintain all electrical circuits to assure adequate earthing and to prevent arcing, sparking; to prevent overloading and resulting resistance heat and to prevent short circuits. (All electrical wires should be enclosed in solid casings to prevent damage with the exception of portable tools and portable lighting.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
16. Protect each electrical circuit with an adequate fuse or circuit breaker located in a well constructed box in close proximity to the work station. (Each circuit should be adequately labelled.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
17. Use fixed wiring circuits instead of extension cords to avoid damage to internal wires and instead of multiple plugs to avoid the overloading of circuits.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
18. Arrange switches in such a way that every work station has individual controls to avoid overloading circuits and rapidly be able to shut down the work station in an emergency.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
19. Arrange and organize storage areas in such a way that materials are easy to store (on racks, shelves, or in containers) to prevent unorganized accumulation and to allow for effective housekeeping in storage areas.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
20. Mark and clear passageways to allow for easy movement of materials and personnel and to avoid accumulation of materials and products obstructing such passageways. (Encourage the use of carts, hand trucks and mobile racks.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
21. Provide an adequate number of waste receptacles for each work station to avoid the accumulation of waste and scraps on the workplace floor and to facilitate removal. (Receptacles for combustible materials such as paper, wood, plastics, fabrics, and rags should have a cover.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
22. Designate specific smoking areas and restrict smoking from all other areas by clearly indicated non- smoking signs. Make sure designated smoking areas are free of flammable and combustible materials.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
23. In designated smoking areas, provide adequate ashtrays in a sufficient number and make sure that cigarette butts are always properly disposed of in an ashtray or a specifically designed receptacle (such as a sand bucket).
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
Preparing for fire emergencies
24. Where curtains are used, assure they are of a fire resistant material.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
25. Assure that there are at least two exit ways to a safe area outside of the building from every work station.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
26. Clearly mark each exit way and provide functional lighting so that exit ways are well lighted for both day and night use.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
27. Provide an adequate number of exit stairways (at least two), of adequate construction and width to support the rapid evacuation of all workers from floors above or below ground level.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
28. Post a warning sign at each lift station (on each floor) indicating DO NOT USE THE LIFT FOR EVACUATION DURING A FIRE.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
29. Post at every work station instructions and a diagram detailing both primary and secondary exit ways.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
30. Keep exit ways clear of obstructing objects and assure that the exit way is continually unlocked and make sure that all doors in exit ways open in the direction of the flow of workers during an evacuation. Doors that are not exits but may be confused as exits should be clearly marked NOT AN EXIT.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
31. Install adequate sprinkler systems in all workplaces so required by national regulations, so as to assure adequate fire protection of each workplace with an increased fire potential. (When sprinklers are installed make sure all sprinklers valves are locked in the open position and that an adequate water supply is always in place to supply the sprinkler system with backup pumps if necessary.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
32. When sprinkler systems are installed, assure that sprinkler heads are never painted and have adequate clearance under each head for its operation in case of fire.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
33. Provide an independent evacuation alarm system loud enough so that all workers can hear the signal in case of emergency. (Test the evacuation alarm weekly.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
34. Position fire alarm boxes and emergency telephones so they are clearly visible and easily accessible.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
35. Place fire extinguishers in sufficient numbers in locations based on specific fire hazards. (Check with the local fire brigade or labour inspectorate about the appropriateness of types of fire extinguishers for the fire hazard.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
36. Mount fire extinguishers at a reasonable height and clearly mark each of their locations and keep obstructions cleared from in front of each fire extinguisher.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
Training for emergencies
37. Assure that every new worker has a briefing on worker action in the event of a fire.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
38. At least annually, provide refresher training on emergency evacuation for each worker.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
39. Assign a specific individual to accompany and assist each handicapped worker to evacuate the workplace to an area of safety.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
40. Assign a specific individual or group of individuals on each shift to notify the fire brigade as a backup to the alarm system.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
41. Train workers on when and how to use fire extinguishers.
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________
42. Carry out at least one fire drill per year evacuating all workers to areas of safety outside of the workplace. (Evaluate the results of this evacuation drill to improve evacuation performance.)
Do you propose action?
No Yes
Priority
Remarks:
_________________________
_________________________