A fire in an office usually starts with something small: a short circuit, an overheated charger, a forgotten kettle. Paper and furniture burn fast, and smoke is more dangerous than flames. This lesson explains how to prevent fires and what to do when one starts.
The rules
- The Fire Protection Act of 24 August 1991 imposes duties on the owner, manager or user of a building (Article 4(1)).
- The regulation of the Minister of Interior and Administration (MSWiA) of 7 June 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other structures and land requires the owners or managers of many buildings to have a fire safety instruction that describes how users are made familiar with it. It is updated at least every 2 years.
- Article 209¹ of the Labour Code: the employer provides the means to fight fires and to evacuate, designates employees for action in a fire, an evacuation and first aid, and ensures communication with external services.
An employee should know who in their company has been designated and know their own evacuation route.
How to prevent fires
- Sockets and power strips are not overloaded. High-power appliances (kettle, heater) are plugged directly into a socket, not through a string of extension leads.
- Damaged cables and hot plugs are reported immediately.
- At the end of the day, devices that do not need to run are switched off, especially coffee machines, heaters and chargers.
- Exits, corridors and access to extinguishers and hydrants are not obstructed.
- Paper and cardboard are not kept near heat sources.
- The smoking ban and the rules on open flame, for example candles, are observed.
- Fire doors must not be propped open unless this is provided for.
Signs and escape routes
- Green signs mark emergency exits and the escape route.
- Red signs mark firefighting equipment and prohibitions.
- Escape routes are always clear and lit.
- The evacuation plan hangs in the corridor. It is worth checking once where the nearest exit is, and a second exit in case the first is filled with smoke.
What to do when you notice a fire
- Raise the alarm: alert people nearby and trigger the alarm if the building has one.
- Call the fire brigade: 998 or 112. Give the address, say what is burning and whether anyone is injured.
- Rescue people if you can do so without risk to yourself.
- Fight only a small fire, and only if you have a clear escape route and know how to use the extinguisher.
- Leave the building by the escape route. Close the door behind you if possible, because this limits the spread of fire and smoke.
- Do not use the lift. It is safer to use the stairs.
- Gather at the assembly point and report that you are there. Do not go back for your belongings.
In a smoky room, keep low, because the air is cleaner near the floor, and cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth.
Fire extinguishers
Offices most often have powder or snow (CO₂) extinguishers. Read the label on the extinguisher before using it.
- Snow (CO₂) extinguishers are suitable for fighting fires in live electrical equipment.
- Water is not used on live electrical equipment, because of the risk of electric shock.
- Leave free space around an extinguisher, and break the seal only when you use it.
How to use it: pull out the pin, aim the nozzle at the base of the flames, not at the flame itself, and fight the fire from a safe distance.
Alarms and drills
Many companies hold evacuation drills. Take part in them as if it were a real fire, and do not treat them as a break.
Summary
- The employer provides firefighting and evacuation means and designates employees for these tasks (Article 209¹).
- In a fire, call 998 or 112.
- A small fire is fought only if the escape route is clear. In all other situations, leave the building.
- Do not use the lift. Escape routes must be clear.