The amount of threat present in the workplace might not be visible yet hazardous enough to cause a fire without warning. A business owner is responsible for monitoring every corner in the workplace for signs of fire safety defects, accumulated combustible materials and natural wear and tear on equipment. Given the hazards, a fire safety inspection checklist should be readily available for the business.
In accordance with the relevant building codes, standards, and legislation, every business is obliged to comply with fire safety and evacuation training for staff and, most importantly, fire safety inspection. The following checklist will guide them through staying compliant.
Fire extinguishers
- See to it the extinguishers are mounted in a visible and accessible location
- Position the extinguisher with the top to floor not measuring more than 5 ft.
- Regularly check fire extinguishers every month to see whether the bracket secures the extinguisher in place and if there are any signs of cracks or blockages.
- On a more standard practice, a qualified technician should be scheduled for an annual fire inspection.
Smoke Alarms
- Replace batteries once a year or when necessary. Make a specific time with the change to Daylight Savings Time every spring season.
- Smoke alarms should not be incorporated in any redesign project and should not be altered in any way.
- Smoke alarms can be tested once a month by a building manager, but thoroughly inspected by a professional electrician every six months. Along with this, have the fire alarm system serviced annually.
Electric Hazards
- Circuits should be used at a minimum without multi-plug adapters.
- Large appliances and those with high voltage usage should be directly plugged into wall receptacles
- Do not rely on extension cords to plug electronics. Only use them for temporary plugs for not more than 90 days to minimize the risk of electric overload and mishaps. Prohibit these from running through the walls, under rugs, across doorways, and on ceilings.
- Temporary electric solutions, such as electric cords, power bars, and splitters, must not be used in conjunction with one another.
- Maintain a minimum of 36" of clearance around electrical boxes and panels.
Exit Signage and Lighting
- The exit signage must be fully illuminated, especially in closed hallways.
- A qualified technician should inspect the entire lighting system annually
- In-house safety officers must inspect emergency lights for at least 30 seconds every month, and 1½ hours once a year. These are to be recorded and kept for professional technicians to check during their annual inspection.
- When checking the passageway exit lighting, every fixture should be in good condition and be able to illuminate the entire means of egress.
- A battery backup should be readily available to ensure the exit signs are always illuminated.
Exit Doors and Passageways
- Free all passageways pioneering to an exit, from obstruction
- Exit doors should have approved locking mechanisms and do not require specialized tools to open, such as keys and lock codes
- These doors are ideally visible, accessible, and readily open from the inside without any mechanical functions that prevent people from opening the door
Storage Rooms
- Documents, office materials, and other stored materials should be kept in organized drawers and shelves.
- Storage rooms should maintain proper aisle widths with a minimum of 900 mm or 36" and should be free from clutter.
Housekeeping
- Every office should have general housekeeping to keep the place free from clutter and make sure combustible waste is disposed of in proper bins and regularly.
- Combustibles should not be stored in mechanical and electrical closets.
