Every industry needs to consider fire and life safety, but special considerations are often required when it comes to manufacturing facilities. Factories use heavy machinery, chemicals, materials, and have more people working in a building - these factors can increase the risk of fires or electrical problems.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire departments responded to an average of almost 38,000 fires on industrial or manufacturing properties between 2011 and 2015, the latest years for which there is data. These fires led to an average of 16 civilian deaths, 273 civilian injuries, and $1.2 billion in direct property damage.
The most common causes of these fires were heating equipment, electrical distribution, lighting equipment, torches/burners or soldering irons, and cooking equipment. The most common items that first ignited fires were dust, fiber, lint (including sawdust or excelsior), combustible liquid or gas, and piping or filters; other items included trash, waste, electrical wire, and cable.
To protect your employees and property, those in the manufacturing field must take special care regarding fire and life safety. Below are some factors that every industrial property manager needs to consider when planning fire and life safety emergencies.
Stay up on your system maintenance and compliances
The best line of defense in protecting your facility from fire is to have an adequate fire and life safety system – from proper alarms, smoke detectors, and emergency lighting to functioning fire sprinklers, fire suppression systems, extinguishers, and more.
When installing or maintaining your system, your best bet is to work with a preferred fire protection and life safety company like CertaSite. OSHA and the NFPA have required inspection schedules for all fire and life safety equipment, and at CertaSite, we can manage that process for you to ensure you stay compliant and as protected as possible. At the minimum, most systems require full testing at least once a year, while fire extinguishers and smoke detectors should be checked monthly.
In addition, there are regulations governing the storage and placement of chemicals, which are established by OSHA and the NFPA. CertaSite professionals can assist with ensuring compliance in these areas. CertaSite partners with facility managers and environmental health and safety managers to keep people and facilities running smoothly, profitably, and safely.
Consider specialized systems and regular inspections
Unlike most workplaces, industrial properties often have valuable heavy machinery and chemicals used to create various goods. Conditions like this require specialized systems when it comes to fire safety.
If a fire breaks out, you, of course, want to, above all, protect your people and put the fire out as quickly as possible, but you may also want to protect expensive equipment. Luckily, there are a wide range of fire suppression systems – including clean agent, foam, aerosol, water, CO2, and dry chemical systems – that work best in various situations with different needs.
Fire and life safety professionals can help determine the best systems for the facility, even if different systems are needed in different spots. If a fire breaks out, the entire system will work together to protect your people and property the best it can.
Every industrial property will have different needs. Because of this, a ‘one-size-fits-all' approach to fire and life safety systems isn’t going to work – each facility likely needs a custom solution, depending on what is manufactured and what equipment or chemicals are present.
It is critical to have your fire suppression system inspected on a regular basis to identify any problems. Clogged nozzles, missed semi-annual inspections, incorrect tank weight, leaking cylinders, and liquid level indicators showing leakage are some of the most common issues. CertaSite can promptly address these issues to ensure safety.
Have an evacuation plan and train your employees
Finally, all employees in an industrial plant or manufacturing facility must understand the evacuation plan and fire safety protocols, as well as have adequate training in using fire extinguishers or other personal protective equipment (PPE).
All new employees should receive formal training, and at least an annual refresher thereafter. Fire drills should be conducted at least twice a year, ideally quarterly or even more frequently. Additionally, signage with directions to various exits should be posted throughout the facility for employees' reference. Exits should all be adequately marked with emergency lighting, and all employees should be aware of the procedures to follow if a fire breaks out.
With proper knowledge, training, and practice, everyone will know exactly what to do in an emergency. An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) helps to ensure the safety of employees in the event of a fire. An EAP includes an evacuation route, policies, emergency notifications, and protocols.
Fire and life safety can be an overwhelming topic. At CertaSite, we’re here to simplify the process by walking you through it step-by-step. From selecting a system and the actual installation to keeping up on maintenance and making sure you’re always protected, we are here to help. We can also provide onsite training regarding fire extinguishers, how to check emergency and exit lights, and more.
