An Essential List of Fire Safety Do’s and Don’ts

These important fire safety do’s and don’ts can help ensure your facility is protected and your team is safe.

According to OSHA, more than 200 workplace fires occur daily, injuring more than 5,000 workers yearly. Auto repair and manufacturing facilities are particularly at risk due to the use of flammable materials such as paints and other volatile chemicals. Some facilities also face dangers from punctured gas cylinders and faulty electrical equipment. The 100^th annual Fire Prevention Week™ starts on October 9 this year, so now is an excellent time to review your facility’s fire safety protocols, and ensure best practices are being upheld.

Extinguishers and Alarms

Do

• Contract with a fire extinguisher company to test and fill extinguishers once a year
• Mount extinguishers where they are readily accessible and free of obstructions

Don’t

• Ignore your fire prevention equipment—test your fire alarm system annually (at least)

Building Protection

Do

• Clearly mark all exit doors and ensure they are free from obstruction
• Post workplace floor plans or maps which show emergency escape routes
• Keep all exit lights illuminated and visible
• Keep fire doors closed and room doors closed when the rooms are unoccupied
• Inspect your sprinkler system (if you have one) annually
• Test battery-operated smoke detectors and emergency lighting monthly
• Ensure all electrical plates and outlets are free from exposed wiring
• Keep floors as dry as possible to prevent falls and potential electrical hazards
• Ensure the local fire department is acquainted with your facility, its location, and specific hazards

Don’t

• Lock exit doors from the inside—ensure they can be easily opened at all times

Employees

Do

• Train all employees in fire safety and proper fire extinguisher use
• Make sure all employees know the location of fire extinguishers and exit doors
• Create a Fire Safety Plan and familiarize all your employees with the plan

Don’t

• Forget to frequently conduct fire drills so your team knows where to go in an emergency

Hazardous Material Handling

(Including oils, solvents, antifreeze and gasoline)

Do

• Label all hazardous materials properly
• Ensure lids are tight-fitting and sealed, and stoppers/bungs are closed
• Keep current MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) on-site and accessible
• Store all flammable and hazardous liquids in appropriate containers approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation or State Fire Marshall, or are UL-listed
• Store combustibles at least three feet from any heat source
• Store flammable liquids away from chemicals that are corrosive or highly reactive
• Ensure any storage rooms have explosion-proof lights and adequate ventilation
• Post “NO SMOKING” in areas where flammable or combustible materials are used and stored

Don’t

• Stack boxes to the ceiling—ensure there is at least 24 inches of clearance between boxes and the ceiling

Repair Practices

Do

• Drain waste fluids such as waste oil, antifreeze, and solvents in separate drums or tanks
• Ensure waste oil is removed by a licensed transporter or burned on-site in an approved heater
• Contract with a licensed transporter to pick up and recycle your solvents or properly dispose of them
• Ensure oil filters are punctured and hot drained over a waste oil drum for the required amount of time, and then recycled or disposed of properly
• Pour and mix chemicals in a well-ventilated area
• Place oily shop rags in sealed, labeled metal containers
• Dispose of oily absorbents according to state regulations

Don’t

• Over order chemicals—expired chemicals are costly to dispose of and may pose a fire hazard

Learn more fire safety do’s and don’ts along with important prevention tips here.

Create an Employee Emergency Action Plan with GMG EnviroSafe

Going through this fire safety do’s and don’ts checklist is a great start, but you should also have a written plan. According to OSHA regulation 1910 Subpart E, employers with more than 10 employees must have a written emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan. Employers with 10 or fewer employees must still have emergency action and fire prevention plans, but they do not need to be in writing. GMG EnviroSafe can help auto repair facilities and manufacturers enhance their fire safety with a variety of employee training options, inspection logs and more.

Contact us and make sure your team is safe from fire hazards, and they start adhering to more fire safety do’s and fewer don’ts.