Fire statistics from year to year are disappointing. For example, daily in 2011 in Russia 460 fires were recorded, which claimed the lives of more than 30 people, and the same number of people were injured. Every day, material damage amounted to 46 million rubles. 4 times more people die in fires than during other emergencies. Therefore, the problem of ensuring fire safety in both the residential sector and the facilities of organizations is acute.
Each head of the organization or individual entrepreneur is obliged to take the necessary fire safety measures at his enterprise. The system of such events distinguishes three components.
- Establishment of a fire regime.
Fire protection includes the following fire safety measures:
- establish the sequence and time of fire hazardous work;
- properly equip smoking areas, if permitted;
- determine the sequence with which electrical equipment will be de-energized during a fire;
- if there is an explosive substance, the appropriate storage locations and their maximum allowable quantities are determined;
- organize the cleaning of any combustible waste, flammable materials and inspection of the premises at the end of the shift or working day;
- instruct the staff and determine the terms of reference and procedures in case of fire;
- make a list of works prohibited for execution without briefing on fire safety rules.
2. Provision and support of the fire safety condition in buildings and structures, in each interior and in open areas, areas.
For this it is necessary to implement the following fire safety measures:
- equip specially designated places with means and equipment for extinguishing a fire;
- install a fire alarm system and a fire warning system in the premises;
- ensure that all fire hydrants, hydrants, fire doors, valves and other protective devices are operational;
- install outdoor lighting;
- keep the entrances to the building and structures free for the passage of a fire engine;
- make sure that there is direct telephone communication with the nearest fire station;
- monitor the serviceability of emergency exits, do not install blind gratings on the windows.
3. Monitoring how the general fire safety requirements are met during the operation, maintenance and repair of the building, premises, individual structures, as well as equipment, inventory, communal networks, etc. To do this:
- designate persons responsible for conducting scheduled and unscheduled inspections during which the fire condition is assessed and how fire safety rules and measures are followed by local employees;
- timely provide the metrological service with measuring instruments of fire-fighting equipment;
- help fire inspectors to inspect the organization’s building, structures and internal premises.
Only when all of the above activities are carried out in organizations will fire safety be ensured.
70% of fires occur in the residential sector. Since 2005, local governments are required to provide primary fire safety measures. This means that municipalities must implement the necessary measures to prevent fires, and to rescue people and property during a fire. These measures include:
- solving issues of legal, material and technical and financial support for fire safety;
- development of plans and programs to ensure fire safety of municipal property, their implementation;
- raising funds and forces for fire fighting, organization of rescue operations;
- establishment of a fire regime and control over its implementation;
- providing a warning of the population about the fire, communications, free access for fire engines;
- dissemination of knowledge about fire safety among the population and decision makers;
- organization of voluntary fire protection.