Wednesday 13 June 2012

Construction Site Fire Escape Routes and Planning

When a fire takes hold the first plan is always to escape and get out as soon as possible, using the quickest route possible and of course the safest route. This will reduce injury which might lead to a personal injury claim,
The main ways to ensure there is a safe means of escape will differ from industry to industry as an office building will have different processes to a construction site. The processes for a building site or construction site include the following;

Checking routes and making sure they are available, kept available and of course unobstructed.
If there are any alternative routes that can be utilised, these should be highlighted as routes to the ground level. In some circumstances, not every route will accessible or available, depending on where the fire may have started. 

Protection from fire spreading is something which is important and can be implemented with fire doors or other forms of permanent fire separation. This will contain any fire to a specific area rather than it spreading across the whole building or floor.

Fire assembly points must be known and safe distance away. One a small construction site this is usually a pavement. Every employee must know these points in advance and the quickest way there.
Finally signs must be obvious incase there are people who might not be aware of the escape routes. These need to be clearly shown.

If employees, contractors or visitors know the fire escape plans and procedures it will help reduce panic and confusion in the event of a fire. Also, it will reduce any injury or subsequent compensation claims caused during a rush or panic to exit as soon as possible.

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