Fire safety is an important factor in building design, although it is sometimes neglected. Fire poses a serious environmental threat. It has the potential to kill or seriously injure humans, as well as damage or destroy structures and equipment.
To promote awareness, Navair shares a checklist of fire safety laws.
PROVIDE ADEQUATE EVACUATION ROUTES
The first principle of fire safety law necessitates adequate escape routes out of the structure based on its size and occupancy. The National Building Code (NBC) 2005 specifies the number, size, and location of exits. The NBC is a complete collection of regulations for the construction, maintenance, and operation of buildings of all sorts. Inhabitants must also ensure that staircases, stairwells, and corridors are well-maintained, ventilated, and clear of impediments, and also incorporates fire door to function effectively in case of emergencies. In the event of a fire, open spaces in buildings are extremely important.
MAKE SURE EXIT DOORS ARE WELL MARKED
Accessibility to exits is just as significant as having adequate exits with fire doors, namely, fire rated wooden door, fire rated steel door, wooden fire door, steel fire door, and glazed fire doors. The maximum distance a person must travel to reach a fire escape is specified by NBC guidelines, as well as the necessity of photo-luminescent signage for nighttime evacuation. Refuge zones, such as terraces, are crucial for high-rise buildings because they allow people to congregate securely.
when they are ordered to evacuate the building in sections.
SET UP SMOKE DETECTING SYSTEMS
The first few minutes of a fire are critical in bringing it under control. Automatic fire alarm systems, such as smoke and heat detectors, are required under international building codes and are highly helpful in detecting fires when occupancy in the structure is low.
MAINTAIN SMOKE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
Fire extinguishers are only beneficial if they operate, so make sure to inspect them regularly. High-rise structures, which are more difficult to access and escape, should consider installing automated sprinkler systems. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a non-profit organization based in the United States, estimates that automatic suppression systems save the cost of damage by 60%.
CONDUCT REGULAR FIRE DRILLS
Managing panic in an emergency is just as fundamental as keeping away from flames and smoke. Regular fire drills let individuals become acquainted with emergency evacuation procedures at a low cost. To guarantee that this becomes a regular operating process, appoint a fire safety officer for each building.
EMPLOY FLAME-RETARDANT MATERIALS
Materials have the capabilities to save or put lives at risk. Workstations are highly explosive due to the use of wood, paper, and fabrics. Fabrics, on the other hand, can be made flame-retardant such that they self-extinguish when ignited. Despite their higher cost, a growing number of businesses, particularly corporations, are adopting such materials. Fire doors and fire retardant paints are also given a fire-resistance rating, which determines how long they can withstand high temperatures and flames before collapsing.
BRING IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION
Provided with a nominal fee, fire departments will evaluate the fire safety of your building. Installation of dangerous or combustible goods, outdated and unstable structures, insufficient escape routes, or electricity overloads are all possible death traps that should only be inspected by professionals.
CREATE EMERGENCY PLAN
When developing an emergency plan, you should include a strategy for reaching emergency services. You must also ensure that emergency personnel have access to your property in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, having a building plan accessible is extremely important, especially in an emergency.
Many building concepts are widespread, but unfortunately, safe structures are not among them.
