A smoke alarm makes a, “beep, beep, beep” sound. Between each set of three beeps is a slight pause — “beep, beep, beep, pause, beep, beep, beep, pause,” and so on. A smoke alarm senses smoke. It will sound if there is smoke in the home — possibly from a fire.

If you hear a fire alarm:

1. STOP WORK AND EVACUATE THE BUILDING.
2. Follow the EXIT Signs.
3. Use stairs.
4. Keep fire doors in stairways closed.
5. Evacuate and proceed until you are outside of the building.
6. Walk at a normal pace.
7. Wait outside until “All Clear” is announced by Security personnel.

In event of a fire, do not use elevators to evacuate out of the building. Use stairs instead; as there are chances that fire could lead to electricity failure which would trap you inside the lift. If you have time, try closing doors and windows in the fire affected area. It would help in containing the fire.

The fire alarm signal onboard ship is sounded as the continuous ringing of ship’s electrical bell or continuous sounding of ship’s horn. Once the master decides for the dismissal of the crew from fire stations, the general alarm will be sounded three times followed by three short blasts of the ship’s whistle.

Causes of fire onboard Most fires onboard are located in engine room and they are caused by oil leakages, boiler incidents, electrical failures or accidents during hot work operations due to lack of proper maintenance and poor watchkeeping. Cargo spaces and accommodation are also locations where a fire may start.

Pull the nearest fire alarm (located at any exit) Evacuate the building. DO NOT use elevators. Proceed to an assembly area across the street and away from the building. Report the fire.

In care premises, evacuations fall into three categories:

• Single-stage: If all residents are deemed independent of help, all residents can evacuate immediately with minimal assistance.
• Progressive horizontal: Occasions when most residents are dependent on staff assistance for a successful evacuation.

Steps to Take If There’s a Fire in the Workplace

1. Step 1 – Raise the Alarm. Anyone discovering a fire should raise the alarm immediately, regardless as to how small the outbreak is or how innocuous it appears to be.
2. Step 2 – Evacuate.
3. Step 3 – Get to the Assembly Point.

Control measure knowledge

• The fire tetrahedron identifies the four components needed for burning to take place.
• All fires can be extinguished by cooling, smothering, starving or by interrupting the combustion process to extinguish the fire.
• Cooling.

Fire safety is of the highest importance in any building, to ensure safety of your employees and the protection of your building. Fire protection systems and procedures are a legal requirement and need to be put in place in buildings to make employees aware in the event of a fire.

In case of fire: DON’T HIDE, GO OUTSIDE! Running makes fire burn faster. Have an escape plan and practice it with your family. Find two ways out of every room in case one way is blocked by fire or smoke.