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Fire Safety Equipment You Don’t Think About but Do Need
When people think about fire safety equipment, they consider alarms and extinguishers but don’t always think about other things that might help in a fire. Solutions like an emergency lighting system, fire blankets, and fire axes can all be helpful in certain situations, especially in business areas where certain types of fires are more of a risk than they normally would be. Here is a breakdown of what these safety measures offer you and why you should consider including them in your building’s fire plan.
Emergency Lighting Equipment When smoke fills a room, it becomes virtually impossible to see. By installing emergency lighting ahead of time, you give people a better chance to find the exits in an emergency. The emergency lighting equipment should ideally include LED bulbs to provide maximum illumination with the lowest power requirement. The case protecting the equipment should be stainless steel so it can operate well even in high heat. If you have exit signs or other directional signs, make sure that those are properly backlit so they can be seen during a fire. In most cases, you can hardwire your emergency lighting equipment and connect it to your fire control panel so it lights up when the alarm goes off.
Fire Blankets Fire blankets are multipurpose tools made of fiberglass material that can protect you from flames in many ways. They are ideal in close quarters and can be used to shield against the spread of fire and smoke, such as through sealing off a door or window or to smother flames if your clothing catches on fire. If you need to evacuate a building and want extra protection against growing flames, a fireproof blanket can serve as a shield of sorts if you drape it over yourself. Fire safety blankets come in containers that are usually wall mounted with pull tabs that allow fast access. This allows you to remove them at a moment’s notice and use the blanket immediately.
Fire Axes Although fire axes are ideally reserved for use by trained professionals, some buildings can benefit from having these on hand. With a sharp blade and a pick-like end on the other side of the head, such an axe can break down doors and smash windows with ease. If you wind up stuck in a room and need to get out, the use of a fire axe can give you safe and swift egress. If you have a fire axe in your building, make sure that it is kept safely encased when not in use. Most people use a fire box with scored plexiglass that can be broken if the axe is needed for an emergency.
These pieces of fire equipment aren’t things that people think about often when creating a fire safety plan, but they are extremely useful. Consider whether your building can benefit from the presence of one or more of these pieces of equipment. If it can, be sure to buy them and place them in clear areas where they can be put to the best use.
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