15 Common Safety Items Typically Addressed By Fire Codes

Fire codes address and specify rules and regulations for all vital components, procedures, and aspects that directly or indirectly contribute to agile planning. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides an up-to-date list of codes and standards that satisfy the industry’s requirements.  

Let’s look at some of the crucial items and facets that fire codes address to enable a seamless safety and prevention system for any establishment. 

Fire Exits And Egress 

Examples: 

• Number of exits
• Aisle size
• Exit door location
• Height and width of the door
• Presence of smoke barriers and fire-safe doors. 

Fire Suppression Systems 

Examples:

• Installation of hood systems
• Kitchen hood suppression systems
• Suppression agents
• Compatibility of agents concerning potential fire troubles
• Disposal and replacement of agents

Fire Alarm Notification Systems 

Examples:

• Visual and audible alarm units
• Alarm placement
• Unit coverage
• Sound volume
• Beep or strobe frequency
• Audibility and intelligibility

Occupancy Limits 

Examples:

• Occupancy type
• Count of individuals with disabilities
• Adjustments based on load requirements
• Maximum occupancy calculation

Electrical Safety 

Examples:

• Safety from severe electrical hazards
• Equipment selection
• Testing
• Performance
• Precautionary measures

Flammable Materials 

Examples:

• Storage of flammable materials
• Dos and don’ts of storage 
• Compatibility of materials

Signage And Lighting 

Examples:

• Emergency pathway lighting
• Proper signage
• Use of multiple languages
• Adequate illumination of signs
• Photoluminescent or battery-illuminated signs

Fire Evacuation Plans 

Examples:

• Emergency response planning
• Notifying occupants
• Egress routes
• Pathway size measurements
• Employee procedures
• Rescue plans
• Accounting individual count after evacuation

Emergency Power Systems 

Examples:

• Emergency system load transfer time
• Separation from non-emergency circuits
• Backup power capacity
• Emergency power load
• Installation and environmental conditions

Maintenance Of Fire Protection Systems 

Examples:

• Periodic testing of systems
• Battery or agent replacements
• Visual checks
• Annual and monthly inspections
• Testing fire alarm units
• Extinguisher maintenance
• Notification audibility and intelligibility checks
• Vent cleaning

Safety Measures For Disabled Individuals 

Examples:

• Visual notification units for visually impaired individuals 
• Vibrating alarm units 
• Strobe brightness and intensity 
• Flash rate and pattern 
• Color codes 
• Coverage areas 

Training And Drills 

Examples:

• Employee and staff training on handling safety equipment and systems 
• Scheduled at regular intervals 
• Meetings for fire policy review and adjustments 
• Familiarity with each notification concerning the emergency 
• Evacuation procedure training 

Smoke Detector Requirements 

Examples:

• Placement and coverage 
• Number of units to be installed 
• Do’s and don’ts of detector installations 
• Adequate training on how to respond to alarms 
• Interconnection and syncing 

Extension Cord Usage

Examples:

• Indirect plugging or usage 
• Extended usage 
• Indoor unit for outdoor usage 
• Usage with portable appliances

Improper Storage 

Examples:

• Discarded materials in the fire pump and riser rooms 
• Obstruction of gates and pathways by objects 
• Inappropriate repository of hazardous materials 
• Bundles of combustible substances in one place