Workplace Emergency Planning Preparedness Medford Fire Prevention Bureau

Workplace Emergency Planning & Preparedness Medford Fire Prevention Bureau Based on the 2007 Oregon Fire Code

Occupancy Classification Groups – – – A-Assembly B-Business E-Educational F-Factory, Industrial H-Hazardous I-Institutional M-Mercantile R-Residential SR-Special Residential S-Storage U-Miscellaneous Source: (OFC 202)

Emergency Planning n Includes Fire Evacuation and Fire Safety Plans When Required: – Group A, except worship areas <2000 occupants – Group B, 500 or more occupants; 100 above or below lowest level of exit discharge – Group E – Group H – Group I – Group R-2 college and university buildings; Group R-4; Group R subject to licensure by state – Group SR – High Rise – Group M, 500 or more occupants; 100 above or below lowest level of exit discharge – Covered Malls >50, 000 sq. ft. – Underground buildings – Group A, E, or M buildings with atriums Source: (OFC 404)

Emergency Planning n Why Have an Emergency Plan? – – n To prevent fatalities and injuries To reduce damage to buildings and contents To accelerate the resumption of normal operations Because the fire code requires it Consider: – There approximately 75, 000 fires annually that cost businesses over $2 billion – These fires kill more than 200 and injure more than 5, 000 people each year – 45% of businesses never reopen after a fire due to the high cost of recovery and repairs Sources: OSHA, Oregon Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and Numerous Business Emergency Plans.

Fire Evacuation Plans n To Prepare for and Define the Roles for Evacuation and Relocation of Occupants During an Emergency Includes: – Emergency egress or escape routes – Procedures for employees: » Who remains to operate critical equip. before evacuating » To account for employees and occupants – ID those: » Responsible for rescue or medical aid » Who can be contacted for further information – ID preferred and alternative means of notifying occupants of a fire or emergency – Preferred any alternative means of notifying fire department or appropriate emergency organization Source: (OFC 404. 3. 1)

Fire Evacuation Plans n Staff Duties and Responsibilities – – – Emergency coordinator Chain of command Alternative communication center Address who will assist disabled workers A system for accounting for personnel and non-personnel following an evacuation – Identify who is trained and willing to deal with casualties Sources: Oregon Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and Numerous Business Emergency Plans.

Fire Safety Plans n How to React to an Emergency; Building Site Layout and Hazards – How to React to an Emergency » Procedure to report an emergency » Activating an emergency plan » Procedure for alerting staff » Ordering an evacuation – ID personnel responsible for systems and equip. installed to prevent or control fires – ID personnel responsible for maintenance, housekeeping, and controlling fuel hazard sources – List of major fire hazards Sources: Oregon Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and Numerous Business Emergency Plans.

Fire Safety Plans Also Includes: – Site Plans – Floor Plans Clearly Posted Throughout Building Showing: » Evacuation routes and alternate means of escape for each room or portion of the occupancy » Accessible egress routes » Designated “Safe Areas” » Fire alarm pull stations » Fire alarm control panels » Fire extinguishers and manual fire extinguishing equipment » Area separation walls » First aid areas Source: (OFC 404. 3. 2)

Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans

Fire Safety Plans n Emergency Plan Guidelines and Procedures – Fire – Earthquakes – Explosion – Bomb threats – Chemical spills – Workplace violence – Utility Failure – Medical emergency – Triage Sources: Oregon Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and Numerous Business Emergency Plans.

Fire Evacuation and Safety Plans n Records – – – – – Emergency contact numbers: Emergency dispatch Hospitals Utility companies Government agencies Alarm company Sprinkler company Any other responsible parties Documentation of drills should include the date and time of each drill, the person conducting the drill and other information relative to the drill. – Updated list of employee emergency contact information Sources: Oregon Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and Numerous Business Emergency Plans.

Fire Evacuation and Safety Plans n Maintenance – Shall be reviewed or updated annually or as necessitated by changes in: » » » n Staff assignments Occupancy Physical arrangement of building Availability – Shall be available in the workplace for reference and review by employees – Shall be available to fire code official for review upon request Source: (OFC 404)

Emergency Evacuation Drills n Purpose of Fire Drills – To be ready should an occurrence happen, increasing the chanced of survival. A disorganized evacuation can lead to confusion, injury, death and property damage. n When Required – Group A: quarterly for employees only – Group B: annually » 500 or more occupants; 100 above or below lowest level of exit discharge – – – Group E: monthly complete evacuation. Group I: quarterly each shift for staff only. Group R 1: quarterly each shift for staff only. Group R-2 (college and university): quarterly all occupants Group R-4 & SR: see IFC 408. 1. 2. High Rise: annually employees only Source: (OFC 405)

Staff Training n Emergency Egress and Relocation Drills – Shall be held with sufficient frequency to familiarize occupants with the drill procedure and to establish conduct of the drill as a matter of routine. – Planning and conduct of drills shall be assigned only to competent persons. – To be held at expected and unexpected times and under varying conditions. – Shall be Initiated by the fire alarm system when present – Drill participants shall relocate to a predetermined location and remain at such until a recall or dismissal signal is given. – Orderly evacuation should receive priority over the speed of evacuation. – Occupants should be accounted for. – A record shall be kept. Sources: Oregon Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and Numerous Business Emergency Plans.

Staff Training n In case of fire, think “RACE”: – – Rescue all persons in immediate area Alarm: announce the fire- Pull alarm and dial 911 Confine the fire by closing doors Evacuate/Extinguish Sources: Oregon Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and Numerous Business Emergency Plans.

Staff Training n Fire Extinguisher Training – Decision – Only use if the fire is small and contained, and not spreading beyond its starting point – Do not waste time in trying to fight the fire if the fire might block your only way out – Proper extinguisher use, think “PASS”: – Pull trigger pin (Stand back several feet away from fire) – Aim low, point the nozzle at the base of the fire – Squeeze trigger – Sweep from side to side until the fire appears to be out n Medical Training – First aid, CPR, etc. n Safety Equipment – First aid kits, hardhats, goggles, eye washing facilities, breathing apparatus, etc. n Fire Prevention-Monthly Inspections Sources: Oregon Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and Numerous Business Emergency Plans.

Staff Training n Fire Protection Systems (Alarms and Sprinklers) – – Train employees how your particular system works Employees should be familiar with fire alarm signals Smoke alarms detect smoke, sprinklers are set off by heat Smoke alarms systems are early warning devices, allowing precious time to evacuate – Fire sprinkler systems are designed to control the fire – Normally one or two sprinklers will discharge, not the whole system Sources: Oregon Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and Numerous Business Emergency Plans.

Video n Getting Out Alive Source: Complete Fire Prevention Library, The Idea Bank

Fire Prevention

Access/Premises

Egress Hazards Buildings or structures that are not provided with adequate means of egress or emergency escapes are unsafe and shall be subject to the abatement procedures specified in Section 110. (OFC 1001. 3)

Egress Hazards-Locked Exits

Emergency Lighting/Illumination Existing Buildings, Where Required: n n n n n A>50 (Except Churches <300) B three or more stories and 100 or more occupants above or below level of exit discharge B 1, 000 or more occupants E exitways and windowless areas of occupancy F>100 (Except buildings used only in daylight with windows) I M (Except buildings <3000 sq. ft on one story only) R-1 (Except where each guestroom has direct outdoor grade level access) R-2 (Except where each guestroom has direct outdoor grade level access) R-4 (Except where each guestroom has direct outdoor grade level access) (OFC 1027. 5)