In just a few seconds, a small fire can become completely out of control and turn into a major emergency. There are few jobs in the world that compare to the dangers a firefighter has to face, especially within companies who deal with flammable material on a daily basis.
A fire can pose immediate dangers that cause massive damage, and it is important to have the correct number of firefighters available to deal with an emergency. There is no definite number of firefighters a company needs, this can only be determined by the type of hazards a company faces, as well as the number of staff within the company. It is, however, good practice within large companies to have a firefighter per department should anything go wrong.
There is legislation in place that requires an employer to provide sufficient fire fighting equipment and safety rules to keep their employees safe.
According to the SANS 10400:
4.32 Provision and maintenance of fire-fighting equipment, installations and fire protection systems
4.32.1 Any fire-fighting equipment, installations and fire protection systems in any building shall be so installed and maintained as to be ready for their purpose at all times.
4.32.2 The disposition of such fire-fighting equipment shall be clearly visible at all times or shall be indicated by symbolic signs which shall be visible at all times and comply with the requirements in SANS 1186-1.
4.32.3 Such fire equipment shall be so installed that it facilitates maintenance. Where compartments are created to house this equipment, they should not impede maintenance. The employer therefore has to consider how many fire extinguishers per square metre they have available in the workplace.
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Contractors must take all necessary measures to prevent personal injury or death or damage to the works or other property, including but not limited to:
(a) provision of firefighting facilities in all vulnerable areas and as instructed by the Engineer.
(b) marking escape routes and illuminating them if necessary.
(c) instructing workmen in fire precautions and use of firefighting equipment.
(d) displaying notices on fire safety and procedures in the event of a fire on Site.
As per the Environmental Regulations for Workplaces, 1987 - Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993.
Fire Precautions and means of egress:
Section 9:
(a) any emergency escape door from any room or passage or at a staircase shall, as far as is practicable, be hung so as to open outwards;
(b) every door of a room in which persons may be present, and every door of a passage or at a staircase serving as a means of exit from such room, shall be kept clear and capable of being easily and rapidly opened from inside so as to ensure quick and easy evacuation;
(c) the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) shall also be complied with in respect of the outer escape exit from the workplace;
(d) staircases and steps leading from one floor to another or to the ground shall be provided with substantial hand-rails;
(e) staircases intended to be used as fire escapes shall -
(i) be constructed of non-combustible material;
(ii) be kept clear of any material or other obstruction; and
(iii) not terminate in an enclosed area;
(f) staircases, passages and exits intended for escape purposes shall be of a width and of a gradient which will facilitate the quick and safe egress of the number of persons intended to make use of them; and
(g) having regard to the size, construction and location of a workplace, the number of persons, and the activity therein, such workplace is provided with at least two means of egress situated as far apart as is practicable.
(2) Having regard to the size, construction and location of the workplace, and the amount and type of flammable articles uses, handled or stored on the premises, an employer shall provide on the premises an adequate supply of suitable fire-fighting equipment at strategic locations or as may be recommended by the fire chief of the local authority concerned, and such equipment shall be maintained in good working order.
As important as fire emergency equipment is, knowing which equipment to use and how to use it is essential.
In the event of a fire, there must be someone who is trained and knows how to react without causing panic.
Employers need to ensure that all employees know what to do in the case of a fire. This includes the following:
- Regular fire drills to confirm that all staff know what to do and where to go in the shortest time possible.
- Basic fire fighting skills must be provided, such as how to put out an electrical fire as opposed to flames caused by oil. Employees should also have basic instruction on how to operate fire extinguishers and hoses.
- Evacuation procedures and notifying fire and emergency services.
- Keeping windows and doors closed as far as possible to contain the fire.
The employer has to consider how many fire extinguishers per square metre they have available in the workplace. One portable fire extinguisher should be installed per 100 square metres in moderate to high-risk industrial or commercial premises. Most fires are caused by faulty electricity, open flames, heated surfaces, matches and cigarettes, friction, chemical reactions and spontaneous combustion. The more an organisation is exposed to these hazards, the more precautions need to be taken.
Every year, there are over 35 000 fires in workplaces in South Africa. Many of these could be avoided if fire safety was properly managed. Regular Risk Assessments, ongoing training, and taking precautionary measures are key areas that must be managed by your Health and Safety Department.
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Comments (16)
is it a legal requirement to formally appoint a firefighter? Small company 8 people.
2021-07-07 15:00:10Yes it is gazetted as legal requirement.
2024-03-06 07:42:55Thank you Solomon, you are quite correct.
2024-03-07 06:59:34This blog post emphasizes the critical importance of fire safety in workplaces, highlighting legal requirements and best practices. It suggests that private firefighting companies could offer specialized services to enhance safety measures, such as training and emergency response. Overall, it underscores the proactive approach needed to mitigate fire risks effectively.
2024-02-09 10:22:35Good day Klay Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on out blog. Your positive feedback is highly appreciated.
2024-02-12 07:14:42Good day. What regulation regulate that fire training certificates expire every two years. If no regulation or law, wich directives should be followed???
2019-08-29 13:59:24Thanks for your blog.I'm glad you shared this; we'll make sure to structure an accurate assessment, so potential cases of fire will be identified. We'll also keep in mind to add more escape routes and fire exits.
2022-09-28 06:56:00Thanks for your blog.Key Fire Behavior Indicators Fully Developed Fires: Key Fire Behavior Indicators Decay Stage Fires: Key Fire Behavior Indicators
2022-09-28 07:15:32greettings is there a place where the are fire fighting posts been working at eastern cape for more than 3years now,i want to relocate.thanks
2021-08-13 19:26:07I WISH I COULD BE PART OF THE FIRE FIGHTER DEPARTMENT. I'M SO INTERESTED
2020-01-28 19:33:46I would like to know which law stipulates the 1 in 50 ratio for fire fighters in the workplace. I tried to find this information in the OHS Act and relevant regulations but maybe I missed it. Thank you.
2021-03-18 12:38:131. Is it a regulation to have a 9kg DCP extinguisher mounted to a wall or is it fine on a carpeted office floor ? 2 Is it a regulation to have a 4,5kg DCP extinguisher mounted to a wall or is it fine on a carpeted office floor ?
2021-06-08 14:32:11Please provide the legal reference for the validity of certificate for fire fighting warden and marshal in different industries e.g. office. pharmacy ,clinics. i found 1 year, 2 year and 5 year on the net.
2021-06-10 21:38:47Thanks for sharing
2023-04-17 12:01:41Dear Roshini Thank you for reading our blog and your comment, we highly appreciate it...
2023-04-18 07:42:28Hi Basil We are a food manufacturing company of about 65 employees. Must fire fighters have a fire fighting uniform and kit?
2023-11-13 10:34:10Dear Ashendree Thank you for your query via our website comments... I have sent you and email and look forward to your response...
2023-11-14 08:01:56How long is a basic fire fighting training certificate valid and is there any where in the act that stipulates yearly training?
2023-01-11 10:22:31Dear Paul Thank you for your query via our comments... The MAKROSAFE Fire Fighting Training certificate is valid for 1 year... This is also a MAKROSAFE standard for the appointment. It does not stipulate this anywhere in the Act, below please find additional info that will guide you... FIRE FIGHTER/MEMBER OF THE FIRE FIGHTING TEAM LEGAL REFERENCE - Environmental Regulations for Workplaces 9(2) 9. Fire precautions and means of egress. (2) Having regard to the size, construction and location of the workplace, and the amount and type of flammable articles used, handled, or stored on the premises, an employer shall provide on the premises an adequate supply of suitable fire-fighting equipment at strategic locations or as may be recommended by the fire chief of the local authority concerned, and such equipment shall be maintained in a good working order. Explanation: This is not considered a well-written regulation. One of the reasons for saying this is that although it is a legal requirement for employers to provide fire fighting equipment, nothing is said in the regulation regarding the training of persons to use such equipment in case of a fire. Common sense should, therefore, prevail and dictate to employers the number of persons to be trained in fire fighting and also whether it is necessary to formally establish a fire fighting team or maybe even teams for the workplace. The necessity for this will obviously be determined by the risk of fires on such premises. It is also suggested, based on the risk once again, that where a fire fighting team is established that regular exercises be held to ensure good co-operation between team members to operate as efficiently as possible during a real emergency. Any fire fighters and members of fire fighting teams will report directly to the appointed coordinator.
2023-04-18 08:33:30"The law in South Africa stipulates that at least 1 out of 50 employees in an organisation must have basic fire fighting skills. " Which law? Reference please. Am new in the HSE field and am doing HS Committee appointments. I need a reference, Kindly assist.
2020-01-20 12:59:51Good day In which legislation or by-law does it stipulate that you must conduct 2 emergency drills. The OHS Act does not stipulate that
2024-04-12 09:13:46Good day Ria In South African legislation, the specific number of emergency drills to be conducted is not explicitly outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act itself. However, the requirement for emergency preparedness, including conducting emergency drills, can be found under the General Safety Regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, more precisely in terms of planning for emergency situations. Furthermore, while the national OHS Act does not specify the number "two" for emergency drills, specific requirements might be set at an industry level, within company policies, or by insurance companies' stipulations for best practices in safety management. Also, by-laws or regulations at a municipal or provincial level might have specific requirements tailored to local conditions or risks.
2024-04-15 07:37:23I work for a big company paper Mill we have our own on sight fire team however we lost one of our only actual pumping fire trucks and now left with a Toyota land cruiser (was secondary vehicle) that doesn't have correct storage and can only transport 2 people at a time what regulation's can I use to get the company management to look into buying an official fire truck to use store and transport all corrective equipment and fire fighters?
2022-10-13 07:36:14