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About this Section
About this Section
This section will teach you, an HR professional, what you need to know about fire safety and emergency protocols! We have divided it into two parts, first this section will explain fire safety, the Ontario Fire Code, and provide a checklist of 10 measures to asses fire safety. You can use this checklist at your workplace to practice. We will also introduce you to an emergency protocol, when to use it, and how it can be applied to your workplace. Let's get started!
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Part One: Fire Safety
Part One: Fire Safety
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What is Fire Safety?
What is Fire Safety?
Fire safety is a mandatory subtopic to be covered within the Ontario Health and Safety Act. It states:
“Every worker who may be required to use fire extinguishing equipment shall be trained in its use. O. Reg. 145/00, s. 16.
[and]
Fire extinguishing equipment shall be provided at readily accessible and adequately marked locations at a project. O. Reg. 213/91, s. 52 (1).” (Ontario Health and Safety Act qtd. in McFadden)
The Ontario Fire Code
The Ontario Fire Code
Under the provincial government of Ontario, fire safety is mandated by the Ontario Fire Code which states:
“A fire safety plan and/or a copy of fire emergency procedures shall be available and used in case of fire, posted procedures instructing occupants regarding emergency evacuation, training of supervisory staff and instruction of other occupants in their responsibilities for fire safety.” (Ontario Fire Code qtd. in McFadden)
10 Measures to Assess Fire Safety
10 Measures to Assess Fire Safety
"Fire safety is a fundamental consideration in building design and management, but unfortunately, one that is often overlooked" (Piramal and Desai). It is important to assess fire safety measures within your built environment, such as office buildings and office spaces (Piramal and Desai). A recommended checklist to help with assessing fire safety is indicated below.
Click on the down arrows for additional information on each fire safety measures.
- Provide Adequate Means of Escape
"The first rule of fire management requires sufficient escape routes out of the building, in accordance with its scale and occupancy" (Piramal and Desai). Office occupiers are required to "ensure that staircases, stairwells and corridors are well-maintained, ventilated and free of obstacles in order to be effective in an emergency" (Piramal and Desai).
2. Outline Clear Pathways to Exit Doors
2. Outline Clear Pathways to Exit Doors
Access to emergency fire exits is as important as the number of exits available (Piramal and Desai). Individuals must be able to access a fire exit that in unblock and clear of debris. "Fire exit areas should be kept clear from obstruction, not only for your safety but the safety of others" (Mstafford).
3. Install Smoke Detection Systems
3. Install Smoke Detection Systems
Within the first few minutes of a fire are extremely important (Piramal and Desai). "Automatic fire alarm systems such as smoke and heat detectors are mandatory elements in international building codes, and particularly useful in spotting fires during times when occupancy in the building is low" (Piramal and Desai).
4. Maintain Smoke Suppression Systems
4. Maintain Smoke Suppression Systems
Fire extinguishers should be checked regularly to ensure they are working properly (Piramal and Desai). It is recommended that "high-rise buildings, which are harder to access and evacuate, should consider installing automatic sprinkler systems" (Piramal and Desai).
5. Conduct Regular Fire Drills
5. Conduct Regular Fire Drills
It is important to conduct fire drills on a frequently basis. These fire drills will allow individuals to become familiar with the emergency evacuation methods (Piramal and Desai). A fire safety officer should be nominated within the building to ensure that fire safety becomes a standard operating procedure (Piramal and Desai).
6. Use Flame-Retardant Materials in Interiors
6. Use Flame-Retardant Materials in Interiors
The types of materials that are used for interiors can "save or endanger lives" (Piramal and Desai). For instance, wood, paper and textiles makes workstations highly combustible (Piramal and Desai). It is suggested to to use fabrics as a flame-retardant as it self-extinguish when lit (Piramal and Desai).
7. Make Your Office Accessible to Firefighters
7. Make Your Office Accessible to Firefighters
"Occupants of offices in residential buildings with few exits should be wary of locking themselves into confined spaces (Piramal and Desai).
8. Keep the Building Plans Handy
8. Keep the Building Plans Handy
It is important to make several copies of your building plan available, especially during an emergency (Piramal and Desai).
9. Ask the Local Fire Brigade to Assess Safety
9. Ask the Local Fire Brigade to Assess Safety
Fire departments can assess a building's level of fire safety (Piramal and Desai). "Storage of hazardous or inflammable materials, old and unstable structures, inadequate escape routes or electricity overloads are potential death traps that are best assessed by professionals (Piramal and Desai).
10. Comply with National Building Code
10. Comply with National Building Code
The building should meet the fire safety requirements that fall under the Ontario Health and Safety Act and Ontario Fire Code.
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Tips for a Safe Exit in an Emergency
Tips for a Safe Exit in an Emergency
All and any exit within a building should be considered a potential exit to safety (Msttafford). The fire exits should have an "Emergency Exit" sign and a notice not to open or an alarm will sound (Msttafford).
According to Harding Fire Protection Systems, there are five tips for a safe exit in an emergency (Msttafford):
In advance, do a walk-around to find the closest emergency exits-in more than one direction from where you sit
Be pro-active. Don't clutter exit paths!
Verify your exit route from time-to-time, and report any obstructions to your supervisor or workplace safety committee
Participate - Join your local warden team or safety committee (Msttafford)
Part Two: Emergency Protocols
Part Two: Emergency Protocols
An emergency protocol plan is an important part of a complete health and safety system within your organization. That is why we highly recommend to implement one!
Some of the benefits include discovering "unrecognized hazardous conditions that would aggravate an emergency situation and you can work to eliminate them. The planning process may bring to light deficiencies, such as the lack of resources (equipment, trained personnel, supplies), or items that can be corrected before an emergency occurs," (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety). Finally, it demonstrates to other employees that you care about health and safety (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety).
Works Cited
Works Cited
McFadden, Adam. “Understanding the Laws of Fire Safety.” Firehouse Training, 19 Nov. 2021, https://firehousetraining.ca/understanding-the-laws-of-fire-safety/
Occupational Health and Safety Act, RSO 1990, c O.1, https://canlii.ca/t/54clx, retrieved on 11 Nov 2021.
Piramal, Aparna, and Radhika Desai. "10 measures to assess fire safety." Mint, 4 January 2009, https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/Mtxy3Pg73Kp0CeINtSSrfI/10-measures-to-assess-fire-safety.html
Mstafford. "Why is it Important to Keep Emergency Exits Clear?" Harding Fire Protection Systems, 5 September 2013, https://hardingfire.com/why-is-it-important-to-keep-emergency-exits-clear/
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