Life Safety Reminder
"Means of egress" or "exit routes"... whatever they are called, they are ways to get out and are therefore of vital importance to an emergency situation. Employers need to remember the following basics about ways of getting out:
- They must be provided in " every building or structure" and must give occupants a free and unobstructed path to safety from anywhere in the structure.
- More than one such route must be provided if the size and or numbers of occupants of the structure or any part of it is such that lives may be endangered if one way out is blocked (as by fire, smoke, or other emergency conditions).
- No part of any building under construction or repair may be occupied unless the exit facilities are completed and ready for use.
- Exits must discharge directly to an open space that gives safe access to a public way.
In the NFPA 101 Code for Safety to Life, there are numerous other specifications, relating to such things as:
- Dimensions of access ways leading to the exit width, and occupancy specific requirements
- Size and exit way lighting
- Appropriate marking of doors that are not exits or parts of any exit route
The Emergency Action Plan
Employers should also be aware that in addition to the above evacuation plan (or how the building is to be emptied of occupants) they must also integrate an operable Emergency Action Plan.
This plan covers what is to be done in the case of any emergency situation that may reasonably be expected to arise---fire, flood, chemical release, tornado, etc. It should address:
- How the emergency will be reported and how personnel will be alerted.
- Types of evacuation to be used, escape procedures, and a way to account for all personnel and or occupants after evacuation.
- Who will remain to oversee critical facility operations before they evacuate and procedures they must follow.
- Persons to be contacted for further information or instructions during the emergency.
- Rescue and medical duties for those who are to provide them.
Employees (and students) must receive whatever training they will need in order to be protected in an emergency, including prescribed evacuation routes. The special needs of any persons( including customers and guest ) with disabilities must be taken into considerations regarding to alarms and exit assistance.
The emergency action plan is to be in writing, kept at the
workplace, and available for employee review. The single
exception is that employers with ten or fewer employees may
communicate the plan to workers orally rather that maintaining it
in writing.