As a fire protection services company, we are always emphasizing the importance of maintaining your building’s fire barriers. Not only is it important to eliminate unnecessary property damage, but also to ensure that the building’s occupants will be provided with a safe evacuation route. However, one key aspect that shouldn’t go undocumented is the building’s fire safety plan.
A fire safety plan is crucial to the safety of the building occupants. It allows building occupants to know what to do and where to go in the event of a fire as well as marking the locations of all the facilities fire safety systems. The International Fire Code has specific requirements as to what must be addressed in a building’s fire safety plan.
According to the International Fire Code, Chapter 4: Emergency Planning and Preparedness, Section 404.2.2 states, Fire safety plans shall include the following:
1. The procedure for reporting a fire or other emergency.
2. The life safety strategy including the following:
2.1 Procedures for notifying occupants, including areas with a private mode alarm system.
2.2 Procedure for occupants under a defend-in-place response.
2.3 Procedure for evacuating occupants, including those who need evacuation assistance.
3. Site plans indicating the following:
3.1 The occupancy assembly point.
3.2 The locations of fire hydrants.
3.3 The normal routes of fire department vehicle access.
4. Floor plans identifying the locations of the following:
4.1 Exits.
4.2 Primary evacuation routes.
4.3 Secondary evacuation routes.
4..4 Accessible egress routes.
4.4.1 Areas of refuge.
4.4.2 Exterior areas for assisted rescue.
4.5 Refuge areas associated with smoke barriers and horizontal exits.
4.6 Manual fire alarm boxes.
4.7 Portable fire extinguishers.
4.8 Occupant-use hoes stations.
4.9 Fire alarm annunciators and controls.
5. A list of major fire hazards associated with the normal use and occupancy of the premises, including maintenance and housekeeping procedures.
6. Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for maintenance of systems and equipment installed to prevent or control fires.
7. Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for maintenance, housekeeping and controlling fuel hazard sources.
The International Code Council has put together a chart of the code adoptions across the United States. Click here to find out which codes have been adopted in your hometown!
Whether you are a Commercial Facility, Educational Campus, Industrial Warehouse, Government or a Healthcare Facility, keeping a record of your building’s fire safety plan is an important part of your buildings over all fire safety. Do you know your building’s fire safety plan?