When there is a fire, the first few minutes decide. This lesson explains what to do in a fire, how evacuation works, how to use a fire extinguisher and how often fire protection training is given.
The legal duty to report a fire
Under § 18 of the Fire Protection Act (No. 133/1985 Sb.), everyone who finds a fire must take the necessary measures to rescue people at risk, extinguish the fire if possible, and report the fire without delay at the designated place. The designated place is set out in the fire alarm instructions (požární poplachové směrnice). You can call the fire brigade on 150 or 112.
What to do in a fire
Remember the order:
- Rescue people. Alert those around you by shouting "FIRE" and help those who need it.
- Report the fire. Press the manual call point if there is one nearby, and call 150 or 112.
- Fight the fire if you can. Only if the fire is small, you have an extinguisher and you are not in danger. Keep your escape route behind you.
- Leave. If you cannot control the fire, leave the building.
How to report
Say: where it is burning (address, building, floor), what is burning, whether people are in danger and who is calling (name and number). Wait for the dispatcher's questions.
Evacuation
During an evacuation:
- Stay calm. Do not run or panic.
- Use the nearest safe escape route following the green signs. Routes are also marked on the evacuation plan in the corridor.
- Do not use the lift. In a fire it can get stuck.
- Close the door behind you in the room where the fire is. You will slow the spread of fire and smoke.
- Do not go back for belongings.
- Help people who need it, for example visitors or people with limited mobility.
- Go to the designated assembly point and report to the person in charge. That makes it possible to check that everyone has got out.
- Do not re-enter until the incident commander allows it.
In smoke, stay low, where there is less smoke and it is easier to breathe. Do not enter smoke-filled areas.
Fire extinguishers
There are different types, depending on the extinguishing agent:
- powder: universal, suitable for most fires (solids, liquids and gases). On live electrical equipment only as stated on the extinguisher's label,
- CO₂ (snow type): suitable especially for electrical equipment and electronics, leaves no residue,
- water and foam: suitable for solids such as wood and paper. Do not use water on burning oil, fat, liquids or live electrical equipment.
How to extinguish
- Choose a suitable extinguisher according to its label.
- Pull out the safety pin.
- Aim at the base of the flames, not at the top.
- Extinguish from the distance that the extinguisher allows, and with the wind behind you.
- Do not turn your back on the fire until you are sure it is out.
- After use, report the extinguisher so that it can be refilled.
If you cannot control the fire within a short time, stop and leave.
Fire documentation at the workplace
Under Decree No. 246/2001 Sb., depending on the nature of the operation, the employer is to provide, for example:
- fire alarm instructions (§ 32), which say how a fire is reported and the alarm raised,
- a fire evacuation plan (§ 33), if required,
- signs for emergency numbers, escape routes and fire extinguishers,
- a fire log (§ 37).
Where the documentation requires it, they are tested with a practice alarm.
Fire protection training for employees
Under § 16 of the Fire Protection Act, an employer that carries out activities with increased or high fire risk must provide regular training for all employees in fire protection. Decree No. 246/2001 Sb. (§ 23) sets out:
- training on starting work and when the workplace or job changes,
- repeat training at least once every 2 years,
- managers are trained on taking up the post and repeat at least once every 3 years.
The employer decides the content and scope according to the activities and the workplace (§ 26). It records the training, for example in the fire log. For activities without increased fire risk, the law does not prescribe regular fire protection training. Even there, however, the employer must make you familiar with how to behave in a fire and during evacuation (§ 102(6) and § 103 of the Labour Code), and many companies provide fire protection training anyway.
What remains for the employer
This course is the general part. The employer must still make you familiar with the fire regulations (požární řád) and fire alarm instructions of your workplace, show you the escape routes and the locations of fire extinguishers. It also checks your knowledge and, where the documentation provides for it, holds a practice fire alarm.
Summary
- In a fire: rescue people, report (150 or 112), fight only a small fire, leave.
- During evacuation, do not use the lift and go to the assembly point.
- Aim the extinguisher at the base of the flames. Do not use water on oil, fat or electrical equipment.
- Fire protection training for activities with increased or high fire risk: on starting, and at least once every 2 years (managers every 3 years).