At work you will find notices, plans and signs that look like pointless paperwork. In reality they tell you where to go and what to do in a fire. This lesson explains what they mean.
The fire regulations
The fire regulations (požární řád, Decree No. 246/2001 Sb., § 31) set out the basic fire protection rules in places where activities with increased or high fire risk take place. They contain, for example:
- a short description of the activity and its fire risk,
- the maximum quantity of flammable substances allowed at the workplace,
- conditions for preventing a fire from starting and spreading,
- the duties of people and the rules for the safe movement of people and for keeping escape routes clear,
- the name of the responsible manager.
An annex to them contains instructions for the preventive fire patrol and an overview of where signs, extinguishers and fire safety equipment are. The fire regulations must be displayed in a clearly visible place and permanently accessible to everyone on the premises.
The fire alarm instructions
The fire alarm instructions (požární poplachové směrnice, § 32 of the Decree) say what people should do in a fire. They contain:
- the procedure for the person who discovers the fire, and the way and place to report it,
- the way the alarm is raised for employees,
- what people should do once the alarm is raised (evacuation, helping to fight the fire),
- the telephone number of the fire reporting point (if there is one),
- emergency numbers,
- the emergency numbers of the electricity, gas and water suppliers.
The instructions must be displayed in a visible place. Read them on your first day at work. They apply to your workplace, not in general. Where the law or the documentation requires it, the effectiveness of the measures is checked by a practice fire alarm at least once a year. Take part seriously, not as a race against the clock.
The fire evacuation plan
The fire evacuation plan (požární evakuační plán, § 33) sets out how people are evacuated from a burning building. It is required mainly where conditions for intervention are difficult and for activities with high risk. The employer may require it for other activities as well. It contains, for example:
- who directs the evacuation,
- the routes and method of evacuation, the place where people assemble, and the employee who counts those evacuated,
- how first aid is provided,
- a graphic plan of the escape routes on each floor.
You will see the graphic plan with the escape routes displayed in the corridor. Find it and see where you are standing now (marked "You are here") and which way the nearest exit leads.
The fire log book
In the fire log book (požární kniha, § 37) the employer records important events: preventive fire inspections, training, fires, practice alarms and equipment checks. It serves as evidence during an inspection by the fire and rescue service.
Safety signs
Signs are set by Government Regulation No. 375/2017 Sb. Colour and shape tell you what a sign means:
- green (rectangle or square): escape routes, exits, first aid. It tells you which way to safety.
- red (circle with a bar): prohibition, for example no smoking or no open flame.
- red (square): fire equipment, that is an extinguisher, a hydrant, a fire call point.
- yellow (triangle): warning, for example of flammable substances.
- blue (circle): mandatory action, for example protective equipment must be worn.
The Act (§ 5) requires the employer to mark the workplace and the places with extinguishers. It requires you (§ 17) to obey the signs and bans.
Escape routes and exits
- Escape routes are marked ways out of the building or to a safe area. They run along corridors, staircases and through exits.
- An emergency exit is a door or window used for escape. It must open quickly and without a key.
- Nothing may stand in the way. There must be no cardboard boxes, shelves or furniture, nothing that narrows the route or could burn.
- Doors on escape routes should open quickly in the direction of escape.
- Emergency lighting and illuminated signs must work. Report any damage.
The employer (§ 5(1)(b) of the Act) must keep escape routes and emergency exits clear. If they are blocked, the employer faces a fine of up to CZK 500,000, or up to CZK 1,000,000 for activities with high fire risk (§ 76). Your duty is not to block the routes and to report any fault.
Electric fire alarm system and detectors
Many buildings have an electric fire alarm system (elektrická požární signalizace, EPS). Automatic detectors (smoke, heat) react to smoke or heat. Manual call points (you break the glass or press the button) raise the alarm by hand. The alarm sounds as a siren or a voice message.
- Do not cover, tape over or disconnect a detector.
- When the alarm sounds, do not ignore it: treat it as a real fire until someone announces otherwise.
- If you notice a false alarm or a faulty detector, report it to your supervisor. Do not repair the detector yourself.
Summary
- The fire regulations and the fire alarm instructions must be displayed, and you know them from the workplace.
- The evacuation plan shows the ways out. Find it and see which way you would go.
- Green sign = escape, red = prohibition and fire equipment, yellow = warning.
- Escape routes and exits must always be clear.