Every Emergency Action Plan (EAP) must account for a fire-related emergency, including evacuation protocols. While the plans must outline who is responsible for helping with an evacuation, they are not required to designate individuals to help fight the fire.
The goal of an EAP is to preserve human life, but it is up to each place of business to choose whether to use portable fire extinguishers. Asking someone to stay behind and attempt to extinguish the fire could put them in harm’s way, and requires extensive training on types of fires and extinguishers. For some businesses, especially those that may use hazardous or flammable materials, putting out a small fire could be a way to greatly reduce the risk to both the business and the local area.
Should employees flee or fight fires? Here are some options to consider.
Different OSHA Designations for Evacuation Vs. Fire Fighting
There are several different available options for designating evacuation vs portable fire extinguisher use. OSHA’s eTool can help businesses decide the right scenario for their needs. These include:
- No one is authorized to use portable fire extinguishers; every employee must evacuate during a fire. The business must establish a fire prevention plan. Fire extinguishers are not required to be available in the workplace unless another part of the OSHA standard overrules that decision. [29 CFR 1910.157(b)(1)]
- There is a small group of employees authorized to use portable fire extinguishers; all other employees must evacuate during a fire. Authorized employees must be trained annually, and fire extinguishers must be inspected, tested, and maintained. These employers are exempt from the selection and distribution section of the standard, which lists things like the maximum travel distance to reach a portable fire extinguisher. [29 CFR 1910.157(b)(2)]
- All employees are authorized to use portable fire extinguishers. All employees must be trained annually on fire extinguisher use, and all fire extinguishers must be inspected, tested, and maintained. [29 CFR 1910.157(b)(2)]
- Extinguishers are provided but are not intended to be used by employees. The business must establish a fire prevention plan, and all fire extinguishers must be inspected, tested, and maintained. [29 CFR 1910.157(a)]
Remember, an EAP is required regardless of the scenario. And while it is not always required, a fire prevention plan can help any business mitigate risk. Fires are one of the most common hazards that businesses may face, so implementing procedures for fire prevention could save you from a costly emergency.
Training Authorized Employees for Fire Risk Assessment
Fire extinguishers are intended to nip a small fire in the bud and protect evacuation routes. When authorizing employees for portable fire extinguisher use, part of the training must cover an assessment of the fire for extinguishability. Even if a fire is small, it may be too risky to attempt to extinguish.
Here are four factors that every authorized employee should assess when making the decision to fight or flee a fire:
1. Size of the Fire
A portable extinguisher may be discharged in a matter of seconds. If a fire is too big to extinguish, the employee may be wasting valuable evacuation time.
- Fight if the fire has not spread to a second material, the fire is contained, and the flames are not higher than the firefighter’s head.
- Flee if the fire involves flammable materials, is partially obstructed by a wall or ceiling, or the fire cannot be reached from a standing position.
2. Oxygen Availability
Fire removes oxygen from the air, and fire damage can release toxic gases.
- Fight if there is still adequate oxygen available and respiratory equipment is not necessary to remain in the room.
- Flee if the fire cannot be fought without respiratory equipment.
3. Environment Quality
As a fire grows, the environment can become too hot and smoke can impair visibility.
- Fight if no protective gear is required to mitigate the heat or visibility.
- Flee if the heat makes it difficult to get close enough to the fire, or if smoke is filling the room.
4. Evacuation Path
No firefighting attempt should be made unless there is a clear evacuation path available for the firefighter.
- Fight if there is a clear evacuation path behind the firefighter.
- Flee if the evacuation path may be blocked by fire, heat, or smoke.
The primary goal is to keep all employees safe, and that means only attempting to fight a fire when the employee has a reasonable expectation of success. In the event that the attempt is not successful, the employee must be prepared to quickly and efficiently evacuate as the fire grows. This may require instinctual knowledge of the nearest egress since poor visibility and panic can impair judgment.
Partner with Building Maps for Accurate, Up-to-Date Fire Evacuation Maps
At Building Maps, we take your safety very seriously. We know that egress mapping is not just about OSHA compliance, it’s a critical step for saving lives during an emergency. While our staff is trained in fire code compliance and emergency action planning, we also follow the best practices for clear and intuitive evacuation mapping.
If you’re ready to get a quote on evacuation maps for your facility, we have an easy online form to help you get started. Enhance your EAP with Building Maps, and let us be your clear guide to safety.
