Business Preparedness

 

FIRE PREVENTION FOR : BUSINESSES
...BECAUSE FIRE SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY

PROTECT YOUR VESTED INTEREST
Your place of work is important, not only as a source of income, but as your second home where you spend the majority of your waking hours. Keep your place of work and yourself safe – make your business fire-safe.
  1. Proper fire safety equipment should be available at all times.
  2. Exit signs and evacuation plans should be clearly displayed.
  3. The vegetation and detritus in and around your building should be maintained year-round.
BUSINESSES ARE VULNERABLE TOO
Often business are located in the more paved and landscaped parts of town and appear safe from wildfires. Because Fallbrook is located at the urban-wildland interface, businesses are just as vulnerable to wildfire as other structures in the community.
FIRE SAFETY IS A YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITY
Because the weather is not always predictable and rainfall is notoriously low in Southern California, fires can happen year-round.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Every business should have the necessary equipment for basic fire safety:
  1. Fire extinguishers should be classification 2A10BC or higher and should be located in a visible and accessible location (within 75' travel distance from anywhere in the business/building)
  2. Service the fire extinguishers every year or promptly after use by a State Fire Marshall licensed company.
  3. Smoke alarms should be located on each floor of the building. Multiple smoke alarms per floor should be used for large buildings.
  4. Batteries on the smoke alarms should be checked monthly and changed yearly. Smoke alarms should also be free of dust and detritus.
  5. Automatic sprinklers should be functional and free of obstructions such as hanging decorations or boxes.
KNOW WHERE TO GO
Exit signs and escape routes are essential, should a fire occur.
  1. The address should be clearly visible from the street.
  2. The main entrance/exit in the building should be marked with a sign that says "This door to remain unlocked during business hours."
  3. All exits should be marked with an exit sign, unobstructed, and operable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge.
  4. Emergency lighting should be checked regularly to ensure it is functional.
  5. Evacuation plans and floor plans should be posted clearly and throughout the building. Make sure to include plans for disabled employees or those who work on upper stories of a building.
  6. Inform employees of the evacuation plan and practice it regularly.
MAINTAIN YOUR GROUNDS
The area surrounding the building should be maintained. Should a fire occur, this will help stop it from spreading to your place of work.
  1. Combustible stored materials should be stacked so that they are at least 2' below the ceiling and away from sources of heat.
  2. Areas outside and around the building should be free of dry weeds, debris and trash.
  3. Walls, draft stops, and ceilings should be free from holes and openings.
  4. Dumpsters should be at least 5' away from combustible walls, windows, door openings and combustible roofs.
  5. Less than 10 gallons of combustible or flammable liquids should be stored on site.
  6. Compressed gas cylinders should be secured so they will not be knocked over or fall.
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED
If you feel your work place is not fire safe, speak to your supervisor about your concerns. If you have other questions or concerns please contact the North County Fire Prevention Bureau:
(760) 723-2010 or dial 911
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information on other fire-safety related topics, please visit our www.wildfirealerty.org homepage.

Current Fire Danger

As calculated at
SMER Southside
03:20:00 am Aug 20, 2008
(updated every 15 minutes)

Current Fire Weather

SMER Southside
2008-08-20 03:20:00
(38 mins ago)
61.88
Air Temperature Wind