Do you want to learn the best way to respond to a fire in the workplace?
According to the Seattle fire department, the estimated number of office fires that are reported in the United States every year is roughly around 6,000. This means it’s highly important for every company to train its employees on how to respond to a fire in the workplace. There should be regular fire drills to train employees on how to exit the building quickly and they should also be taught how to use a fire extinguisher properly.
Moreover, office fires are considered to be even more dangerous than housefires because fires inside offices spread far more rapidly. The premises of an office are usually full of combustible materials like packaging material, loose paper, and furniture which help to fuel the fire.
Furthermore, office buildings are usually tall with multiple floors and this makes it more difficult for people to escape the building in time. Here are a few useful tips on how to respond to a fire in the workplace.
Try to Put out a Small Fire with the Help of a Fire Extinguisher
The first thing to do when a small fire accident takes place in the workplace is to reach for a fire extinguisher. This way, the fire can be put out quickly before it causes any serious damage to the office premises or any injuries to the employees. This step should only be attempted by an employee who is nearby when the fire accident takes place and also knows how to use a fire extinguisher properly.
Take the Fire Alarm Seriously
The worst thing anyone can do in the dangerous situation of an office fire is to remain inside the building and assume the alarm to be a fire drill. Instead, every employee should think of the alarm as a real fire emergency and prioritize their health and safety. The alarm should evoke a sense of urgency to leave the building as quickly as possible.
Exit the Building and Tell Others to Do the Same
The next thing to do when there is a fire in the workplace is to leave the building immediately. You should urgently stop whatever you are doing and leave the office building to avoid getting stuck inside.
Remember to never use elevators to exit an office building in the case of a fire emergency. This is because elevators quickly stop working due to fire damage and employees can easily get trapped inside them. Moreover, the confined space inside an elevator also quickly gets filled with smoke and this is dangerous for your health.
You should also make sure you encourage your colleagues to exit the building quickly as you’re making your way out. Your verbal warning might save their lives if they were unaware of the fire accident.
Call the Fire Department
The last thing to do once you are at a safe distance from your office building is to call the fire department. Call 911 and explain the fire emergency to them so that they can quickly send a team from the fire department to put out the fire and rescue your colleagues.
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