Paper Example on Fire Violation Codes

Introduction

Industrial and business fires cost organizations and business enterprises billions of dollars each year, besides the loss of human life that cannot be described regarding money. Most recent fire numbers obtained from the National Fire Protection Association and International Association of Fire Chiefs indicate that on average, over 38,000 fires occur in business and industrial properties each year. The fires often result in over 19 civilian deaths, over 300 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage (Twigg et al., 2017). The fires do occur due to many reasons, and many a time, the top organizations are ignorant or unaware of the risks surrounding their places of work. Significant causes of fires include combustion dust, flammable gases, and liquids, equipment and machinery in addition to electrical hazards. Others reasons include human error, general negligence, arson and widespread fire code violations. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that routine maintenance is essential on fire extinguishers all through the year. Not only will it make a difference, it will also improve on fire safety (Sameth & Lackore, 2015). The paper is going to look into some of the standard fire violations found in businesses in addition to offering suggestions on how to avoid and mitigate them.

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It is no doubt that every business person understands the basics and importance of adhering to the fire code commendations. The codes aim at improving on safety and safeguarding property loss in addition to reducing human suffering. They are set down and regulated by the NFPA with the overall aim of ensuring and improving on employee safety (Hurley et al., 2015). The significance of these violations cannot be underestimated. Besides providing that offices and business enterprises are safe, they also ensure that insurance policies and buildings within a business area are not compromised. Business owners, employees, and stakeholders can undertake to understand these essential codes to avoid fire and even explosion incidences in their field of work and operation.

Major Common Fire Code Violations

Each time routine maintenance is undertaken in a business premise; it is essential to have in mind the simple and vital issues to address that aim at reducing fire incidences. The points and codes may go a long way in keeping businesses safe, reducing property loss in addition to protecting human life. Common fire code violations within a business enterprise include:

Violation Number 1: Poorly Maintained Fire Extinguishers

Ignoring maintenance and inspection of fire extinguishers is one of the common abuses within a business workplace. According to policies set forth by the National Fire Protection Association, fire extinguishers need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis and mostly by a professional service for example Fireline. The professional service inspector needs to be a certified agent. The fire extinguisher needs to be refilled and after the very first use, need to be inspected every once in a while at least once a year. Ignoring maintenance of fire extinguishers is one of the most ignored fire code violations (Hurley et al., 2015). Many a time, employees, business owners, and property managers fail to recognize the significance of keeping the fire extinguishers in good order for use during a fire incidence. According to the National Fire Protection Association, most businesses only come to realize the presence of the fire extinguisher during a fire break out (Hurley et al., 2015). All the time during regular business working hours, the equipment remains just like any other equipment on the business premises without any significance.

Violation Number 2: Blocking Exit Doors and Passageways

A survey and inspection by the National Fire Protection Association revealed that most business owners and employees use exit doors and passageways as storage places with little attention to the need to have the exits clear. The trend is often prevalent in busy business areas especially where goods offloading are undertaken (Sameth & Lackore, 2015). Products such as boxes, cages, and trolleys are often left at emergency exit passageways and attempting to go past them during an emergency can prove life is threatening with dire consequences to the persons working within the premises. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the exit area, passageways need to be clear and all obstructions removed and kept far away from the exit doors and windows (Hurley et al., 2015). The policies recommend a clear exit area without any obstacle or object.

Violation Number 3: Exit Lights

Many business enterprises often have the assumption that with the EXIT sign, people can have their way out in case of a fire incidence. However, the situation is never that simple. It is essential to have enough light within and around the exit position to enable people to have a clear view of the way out in case of an emergency (Twigg et al., 2017). Situations often get out of hand when people start scrambling for safety, and in cases where there is not enough light within and around the exit place, many injuries do occur. People who have had a fire incidence often cite lack of illumination around the exit doors as the number one cause of injuries and deaths. When faced with a difficult situation such as fire outbreak people does rush all over with little care of their way out especially if and when there is not enough light (Hurley et al., 2015). Dark and non-illuminated areas often contributed to casualties in addition to deaths during a fire breakout. The trend is particularly familiar with business buildings that have never experienced a fire outbreak.

Violation Number 4: Emergency Lights

Emergency lights differ from exit lights. Emergency lights are found within strategic locations within any business building. Exit lights are majorly found at the exit doors or windows. However, besides the exit lights, emergency lights need to be in good working order with proper illumination all round within the working and hidden areas (Sameth & Lackore, 2015). According to the National Fire Protection Association, lack of appropriate lighting is one of the reasons that cause injuries and casualties during an emergency fire outbreak. With poor or no illumination or no emergency lights, a business enterprise and the people working within it stands at risk if a fire outbreak occurs. The emergency lights need to be in a working condition with recommended illumination.

Violation Number: Fire Alarms

Proper maintenance of fire alarms is an essential step in ensuring that they are in good working condition for any eventuality. Support includes checking the alarm boxes, sound devices, and battery. Keeping a record of the same is also important as it enables the technicians to understand the history and working condition of the boxes all the time within its lifespan. However, many business owners do not pay attention to this provision nor do they keep any records for the same. Such is detrimental to the business enterprise and the lives of those working within the area (Hurley et al., 2015) and (Madaio et al., 2016). The inspection of the fire alarms need not be limited to the alarms device only but also the area or place of placement of the warnings as it serves a critical factor in the case a fire breaks out. Poor location in many instances results in the ability of the persons within the building to raise the alarm during a fire outbreak.

Violation Number 6: Covered Electrical Channels/Extension Cords

Many business enterprises have loosely held and covered electrical outlets. Additionally, many of the outlets are carelessly left hanging either on the walls or from their connections. The situation often applies to circuit breaks, junction boxes, and outlet boxes (Sameth & Lackore, 2015). Carelessly left open and unattended to, such electrical lapses cause fire outbreaks in addition to danger to those working within the region. At the same time, many business enterprises ignore and do not pay close attention to electrical extension cords that may have been left hanging by mistake during electrification. Many of the extension cords do find their way to ceilings, floors, floor coverings, and objects on the floor.

Violation Number 7: Open Fire Openings

It is common for business owners and building caretakers to leave open fire openings to promote the flow of air within the building. However, leaving the openings open can lead to untold problems in addition to danger if not handled properly (Hurley et al., 2015). The situation is often due to ignorance of such an act or lack of proper ventilation within the building that lets only the fire openings available for air flow.

Violation Number 8: Ignoring Inspection of Smoke Detectors

Obstructing smoke detectors, having them with no battery, and not functional is detrimental to the business. However, many business enterprises pay little attention to smoke detectors or even their inspection (Sameth & Lackore, 2015). With a smoke detector that is not functioning, the business enterprise is at risk if a fire outbreak occurs. Still, business owners pay little attention to this fact as they assume its significance during a fire outbreak. Additionally, electrical equipment such as outlet boxes, incomplete installation, and circuit breakers panels are rarely put in their places of storage leading to the risk of fire outbreak in the case of a short circuit or accident (Hurley et al., 2015). Many business enterprises pay little attention to this dangerous occurrence within their working area, a number one cause to fire accidents.

Violation Number 9: Clearances

Poor placement of equipment's, furniture, and other obstructive tools within and around any electrical control container is a risk to an electrical source. Many business enterprises have in place poor placement procedures of electrical control equipment's a common fire violation act.

Violation Number 10: Self-Closing Openings

Many business enterprises have poorly maintained doors. Such self-closing doors and openings need regular maintenance to ensure they work properly. Poor maintenance is a danger in an emergency situation, and many casualties are often attributed to such carelessness.

Violation Mitigation Strategy/Measure

#1 Poorly Maintained Fire Extinguishers

Regular maintenance by a certified or professional service. The fire extinguishers need to be checked on regularly to certify that they are working and are in good working condition. Any chances of failure or wear-out, the equipment needs to be changed as soon as possible

#2 Blocking Exit Doors and Passageways

All passageways and exit doors need to be clear with no obstruction or physical object within sight. The alleyways need to be clear. All objects lying within and around the exit areas need to be cleared. Constant check out and regular check on the passageway is necessary. Boxes, cages, and trolleys need to be removed and kept away.

#3 Exit Lights

All lights within the exit area need to be constantly checked to ensure that they are working and are in working condition. They also need to be changed regularly to ensure that they are okay and in working condition. At the same time, they need to be bright enough to enable clarity. Not too dull. Not too bright.

#4 Emergency Lights

All lights within the emergency area need to be constantly checked to ensure that they are working and are in working condition. They also need to be changed regularly to ensure that they are okay and in working condition. At the same time, they need to be bright enough to enable clarity...