Fire and safety codes apply to all public buildings. Fire codes are designed to establish a level of fire safety for occupants of a building. These codes are also to provide protection to those responding to a fire. There are nationally recognized safety standards to protect the public, but each state and town may also have its own codes as well. The department of public safety has a fire safety division. They are responsible for safety and protection of people at work, at home, and when out in public. They work to educate, and to enforce codes, licensing, and reviews.
There is a guide for fire code inspection for a building. For fire safety, ESCAPE is the key word. The E stands for "exits." Exits should be unlocked, have proper signage, and unblocked. The S stands for "storage." All storage areas should be clean and organized. The C represents "capacity." Most buildings will have a maximum clearly posted. The capacity should not exceed this number. The A is for "access" or "aisles." There should be a clear 36-inch wide path to gas, electric equipment, and water shutoffs. This is to ensure easy access. "Protection" is what the P stands for. This includes smoke detection, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems. These should be tested annually to ensure they are in proper working order. The last letter is E, for "emergency lighting."
Your local fire department will be more than happy to answer any question you may have on fire protection and prevention. Following codes protects everyone. The fire codes are for the safety of the public and emergency workers.
Comments (0):