Responding: Fires
How should employees respond to a fire?
- Immediately contact the fire department by dialing 911.
- Follow evacuation procedures specified in your plan.
- Stay low to the ground to avoid rising smoke.
- Close all doors upon exiting. When you leave your office, shut the door and leave a note or mark on the door indicating that the room is empty.
- Never open doors that are hot. Feel the bottom of the door with the palm of your hand. If it’s hot, do not open the door. You will need to find another way out.
- Meet at a predetermined outside location that is located a safe distance from the building and out of the way of emergency responders and their vehicles.
- Report to managers or designated personnel for a head count.
- Remain at a safe distance from the building and follow emergency responders’ instructions.
What are the types of fires and how are they extinguished?
Class A Fires: Ordinary combustibles such as paper, cloth, wood and rubber
Extinguish with a water fire extinguisher
Class B Fires: Flammable liquids (oils, gasoline, etc.) and combustible liquids (kerosene)
Extinguish with a dry chemical extinguisher
Class C Fires: Energized electrical equipment (electrical)
Extinguish with a carbon dioxide extinguisher
Class D Fires: Combustible metals (aluminum)
Extinguish with specialized fire extinguishers
Helpful fire safety hints for businesses:
- Offer your employees fire safety training that teaches them how to operate a fire extinguisher.
- Install and test fire extinguishers throughout the building.
- Post your emergency evacuation plan throughout the building and ensure all employees know it by conducting biannual drills.
- Review the emergency evacuation plan with all new employees.
- Test your smoke detectors regularly and change the batteries every year.
- Make sure office electrical outlets are not overloaded.
- Have employees keep a whistle in their offices to alert colleagues in the event of a fire.
