Fire hazards at workplace are unprecedented occurrences and can happen anytime because of anyone’s fault. Fire fighting systems may help in bringing down the hazard but do not offer protection to employees in case hazard goes uncontrollable. Exit routes are best and are an effective resort in case of fire hazards. They ensure adequate protection to the employee in the event of fire hazards. Hence, fire exits are very important when it comes to safety of the employees. Therefore their design, construction and maintenance play a significant role in ensuring that they do not compromise the safety of employees during evacuation.
Design and construction requirements for exit route
OSHA provide guidelines for the construction and design of the exit routes. These guidelines have been prepared taking into consideration various factors and ensure maximum safety to the employees in case of a fire hazard. There should be at least two exit routes. One is also acceptable but make sure that all employees evacuate safely in due time. Design and construction requirements as issued by OSHA are:
- Exit routes must be permanent parts of the workplace and they should be spacious enough to accommodate all the employees. They should lead to a safe area. Exit routes that go further the discharge point should have signs showing the discharge point.
- The exit routes should not have a decreasing profile from mouth to end and they should not be locked or blocked when employees are inside. They should contain side hinged doors that swing open in the direction of exit.
- The exit route should be well illuminated. They should be at least 7 feet 6 inches in height and 28 inches in width. Presence of objects that reduce its width are unacceptable. It should be made up of non flammable material with fire resistance rating of at least one hour.
- Proper safety to the employees should be ensured in the exit from slips and falls through guardrails and covering them in case of snow and ice deposition.
Maintenance, safeguarding and operational features for exit routes
The fire exits should be ensured to be in a working condition so that they satisfy their basic utility in case of need. OSHA provides guidelines for maintenance, safeguarding and operational features of the exit routes. They are as follows:
- The exit routes should not contain any highly flammable and explosive material and the pathway should not be obstructed by objects and materials. Route to fire exits should not pass through high hazard area.
- Make sure that the safeguards are in working order and the pathways are well illuminated.
- Proper signs should be displayed for identification purposes and the alarm emergency systems should be provided for intimation in case the employees can not interpret the hazard.
A fire exit should be constructed as per the guidelines of OSHA and regular maintenance of the exit routes should be carried out to ensure that they are in working condition. A fire exit that cannot provide safety by virtue of its construction or one that is not maintained well cannot provide optimum safety to employees in case of hazards and their presence is of little significance when it comes to safety of employees from fire hazards.
