Fire Prevention
Sensible, fire-safe housekeeping can prevent fires or limit those that do occur. Do not allow unsafe conditions, such as cluttered offices and overburdened extension cords, to cause trouble.
The following hazardous and unsafe conditions should be eliminated without delay.
General Office Areas
Stairwells, telephone and electrical closets must not be used for storage and must be kept locked at all times. Any items found in a closet will be discarded.
Storage and File Rooms
Fire Doors wedged or tied open, or with objects placed in front of them so that they cannot close, are rendered useless. To protect yourself and your fellow employees, make sure the doors on your floor are always kept closed. If you must evacuate your office during a fire emergency, make sure the last person closes the door without locking it. This will help to contain the fire until the arrival of the Fire Department.
Flammable Liquid Storage Requirements
Various types of liquids in normal office environments, such as duplicating machine fluid, acetone, alcohol and cleaning solvents are highly flammable or combustible and can present a serious fire hazard if not handled properly.
Do not place trash, furniture, or mailbags in the freight elevator lobby. Please request rubbish removal through Building Engines.
The following hazardous and unsafe conditions should be eliminated without delay.
General Office Areas
- Are paper boxes used for storage? Are files, paper, or combustible materials piled on chairs, in corners or in open bookshelves? All are potential fire hazards.
- Are hazardous lightweight electrical cords or unsafe frayed electrical cords used in your area? Only heavy-duty extension cords should be used for office equipment, or any other kind of electrical appliance.
- Are outlets and extension cords in your area overloaded with more than one item such as electric typewriters and/or personal computers? Avoid putting more than one piece of office or other electrical equipment on an outlet or cord. Use only U.L. approved multiple outlet strips with fuses, or consider the installation or relocation of base building outlets.
- Is pantry equipment in your area always unplugged when not in use? Pantry equipment, such as hot plates, coffee pots, toaster ovens, etc., should never be left unattended when in use and should be unplugged in when not in use.
- Has the permanent installation of major electrical or computer equipment in your area been properly approved by the building staff?
- Are flammable liquids, such as turpentine, solvents, thinners, toners and ink, used in duplicating and reproduction equipment being handled properly? No office should have more than five gallons of such liquids on hand at one time, and such liquids must be kept in an approved safety container, tightly sealed, in an approved metal cabinet.
- Are stored items placed at least 18 inches below the sprinklers?
Stairwells, telephone and electrical closets must not be used for storage and must be kept locked at all times. Any items found in a closet will be discarded.
Storage and File Rooms
- Are items stored in paper boxes and stacked in corners and aisles creating a fire hazard in your area?
- Are all combustible materials such as paper, files, reports, and rolled plans kept in steel cabinets or closets when not in use? Are the doors and drawers kept closed at all times? Closed metal cabinets or files are required in file rooms, with more than 300 sq. ft. of space or more, unless the area is equipped with sprinklers.
- Are all combustible materials stored neatly and compactly? Compartmentalized metal racks are permissible in storage or file areas of less than 300 sq. ft.
- Are all flammable and combustible liquids properly stored in approved containers?
- Landings in Stairwells P & MNWI are equipped with fire standpipes.
- Fire extinguishers are available at each mechanical/elevator machine rooms.
- This fire extinguishing equipment is intended for the protection of building occupants in the event of a fire condition. It can be used to extinguish small fires or to contain a fire until the arrival of the Fire Department. However, building occupants should not attempt to use the equipment if by doing so they will expose themselves to personal danger or cause delays in the evacuation of the floor.
- Do not use water type fire extinguishers on electrical or liquid fires.
- Fires in wood, textiles and other ordinary combustibles containing carbon materials: These are extinguished by cooling and quenching with water which wets down and prevents glowing embers from rekindling. Tri-Class dry chemical extinguishers are also effective on this kind of fire and achieve extinguishment by insulating and inhibiting the combustion reaction.
- Fires in gasoline, oil, grease, paint, or other liquids that gasify when heated: these are extinguished by smothering, cooling, and heat shielding. Dry chemical, Halon, and carbon dioxide are effective on this type of fire.
- Fires in live electrical equipment: These fires require a non-conducting extinguishing agent. A Halon or carbon dioxide extinguisher smothers the fire without damaging the equipment. Dry chemical is also effective.
Fire Doors wedged or tied open, or with objects placed in front of them so that they cannot close, are rendered useless. To protect yourself and your fellow employees, make sure the doors on your floor are always kept closed. If you must evacuate your office during a fire emergency, make sure the last person closes the door without locking it. This will help to contain the fire until the arrival of the Fire Department.
Flammable Liquid Storage Requirements
Various types of liquids in normal office environments, such as duplicating machine fluid, acetone, alcohol and cleaning solvents are highly flammable or combustible and can present a serious fire hazard if not handled properly.
- The storage of flammable liquids in a tenant area must be limited to five gallons kept in individual one gallon approved metal safety cans or one quart original plastic containers. In addition, these safety cans or containers must be stored in approved metal cabinets. All cans must be inspected regularly for leaks, and leaking cans must be replaced immediately.
- A flammable liquid storage must be clearly designated by Flammable Liquid and No Smoking signs.
- A flammable liquid storage area may not be located adjacent to exits or in pathways leading to exit facilities.
Do not place trash, furniture, or mailbags in the freight elevator lobby. Please request rubbish removal through Building Engines.
