Download FPASA BULLETIN GF 05

FPASA BULLETIN GF 05
FIRE SAFETY IN OFFICES
The incidence of fires in office buildings in South Africa is not considered to be unduly high,
although considerable attention has been focussed in this direction following multiple
deaths in fires in tall buildings in various parts of the world in the 1970’s.
The unsatisfactory features which have led to loss of life and injury in fire situations have
been identified as:
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deficiencies in the design of the building with particular reference to the means of
escape
absence of a fire procedure
absence of fire alarms, fire detection system or automatic fire extinguishing appliances
the readily combustible nature of the furnishings and fittings
Smoke and flames entering the stairwells and trapping the occupants has proved to be the
main cause of fatalities.
Office building fires
A few examples of fires in office buildings in South Africa include:
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An open bar electric heater ignited curtains in a health studio in Johannesburg.
Fire amongst cardboard boxes in a basement spread to telephone cables, disrupting
communications including the public address system designed to alert fire wardens.
Fire in rubbish bins in a basement car park below a cable duck involved telephone and
power cables resulting services such as telephones, telex, electric typewriters, office
heating (fire occurred in mid-winter) being out of service for a week.
Fire in a sauna bath on the lower floor of an office block caused fire and smoke
damage.
Damage to fifth floor attorney’s office as a result of incendiarism.
Short circuit in a fluorescent ceiling light started a fire causing major damage.
Building management and tenants have become increasingly aware of their responsibilities
towards the safety of occupants and there are many excellent examples in South Africa of
good fire protection and evacuation systems and procedures in buildings.
In spite of all the precautions taken and the stringent requirements by local authority fire
brigades in relation to fire safety, fires do occur and are almost entirely due to carelessness
or negligence.
Precautions
The following precautions are essential if the risk of fire is to be minimised or, in the event
of a fire occurring, the safety of the occupants is to be assured.
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Remove combustible rubbish and packing materials daily to a safe area, preferably in
metal bins. If the refuse collection area is in a basement or ground floor area it should
not be capable of ready access by the public nor be in such a position that, if ignited,
would permit smoke and heat to enter the building. Refuse collection areas should not
be in close proximity to service ducts where cables could become involved.
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Ensure that all electrical office machinery is switched off at the mains (plugs should
preferably be withdrawn).
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Do not permit incandescent or open flame heaters in offices.
preferable to the portable type.
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Avoid the use of flammable liquids for cleaning office machinery.
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Provide adequate ashtrays in all areas where smoking is permitted and instruct staff
not to discard cigarette ends in waste paper baskets.
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There should be sufficient electrical outlet points to ensure that overloading or the use
of long cords which could become frayed are avoided.
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Ensure that fire exits and fire equipment are suitably indicated preferably by means of
SABS Symbolic Safety Signs. Exit doors should be kept closed and unlocked or fitted
with an easily operable locking device which is acceptable to the fire brigade.
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Ensure that all occupants are familiar with the location of the fire escapes, location and
method of operation of the fire alarm and building fire equipment. A floor plan showing
the position of fire escapes, fire equipment and fire alarm should be prominently
displayed in the lift lobby or main passageway on each floor.
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Ensure that building hose-reels and extinguishers are regularly maintained and that,
where equipment is kept in cabinets, it is not obstructed by cleaning materials.
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Depending on the size of the building and number of occupants it may be advisable to
appoint a chief fire warden and one or two marshals on each floor. These people
should receive special training for this purpose.
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Instruction should be given to caretakers and maintenance staff setting out the action
they should take in the event of fire. The instructions should include bringing all lifts to
the ground level and stopping them, and shutting down all services not essential to the
escape of occupants or likely to be required by the fire brigade. Lighting should be left
on.
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Ensure fire marshals are adequately trained and that staff are familiar with fire and
evacuation procedures.
Fixed heaters are
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Model Fire Drill Instructions
The following instructions, are intended for guidance only and will need to be adapted
according
To individual circumstances.
Instructions to all staff on discovering fire:
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Raise the alarm by reporting immediately to the telephone switchboard or by
operating the
building fire alarm.
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Call for assistance and attack the fire with the building’s fire extinguishing
equipment, but
do not place yourself at risk.
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On hearing the fire alarm either:
 Leave the premises and report immediately to the assembly area situated at:
OR
Join the fire team if you are a member.
Do not stop to collect personal belongings unless it is obvious that there is a clear
escape
to the outside.
Instructions to the switchboard operator
To be kept where the operator can refer to them instantly.
On being notified of an outbreak of fire:
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Call the fire brigade immediately by dialling:
Notify a senior member of the staff.
Warn other departments and other offices in the building that fire has broken out.
When instructed, sound the fire alarm or pass on the order to evacuate the
premises.
Action by management
On being notified of an outbreak of fire a senior member of staff should:
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Ensure that the fire brigade has been called.
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Pending the arrival of the fire brigade, go to the scene of the fire and supervise the
fire-fighting.
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Clear everyone, except those actually engaged in the fire-fighting, from the
immediate vicinity
of the fire.
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Order the evacuation of the building as soon as it becomes apparent that fire or
smoke is
spreading. Do not wait until the fire is out of control
Reproduced with acknowledgement to FPA (UK)
Published by
Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa
(Incorporated Association not for Gain)
(Reg.No. 73/00022/08)
P O Box 15467
Impala Park
1472