Many people may not know what to do in the case of a fire. Fortunately, some regulations require business owners in commercial buildings to post fire safety notices in certain areas. So, what are fire safety notices, and how do you keep your business in compliance with these fire safety regulations?
What is a Fire Safety Notice?
A fire safety notice is the posted written notification you’ll often find on the backs of doors throughout a building, including the individual units of multifamily dwellings. The fire safety notice alerts people as to what to do in the case of a fire. Some of the information contained in these notices includes:
- How to react in case of a fire
- Responses based on non-combustible and combustible areas
- How and where to evacuate the building
- How to safely use candles, space heaters, and cooking appliances for fire safety purposes
- Communication in the event of a fire
- The importance of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Types of Fire Safety Notices
There are two main types of fire safety notices: non-combustible and combustible. Here’s some information on what each type of fire safety notice should include:
Non-Combustible
A non-combustible notice relates to a fireproof building. If a fire starts in a non-combustible environment, such as your apartment building, you should take specific steps to remain safe. The fire safety notice says to do certain things, such as leave the building immediately if the fire is in your apartment. If you’re in a fireproof building and the fire isn’t in your apartment, you may be able to stay there until you receive word from the firefighters. However, it may be necessary to evacuate. Your fire safety notice will outline all this and more.
Combustible
A combustible fire safety notice discusses what to do in a non-fireproof building. The combustible notice may contain information such as closing the door to the room where the fire is located, using stairways, not elevators, and alerting people by knocking on doors as you exit the building. As soon as you’re in a safe location, call 911.
Posting and Maintaining Fire Safety Notices
As a building owner, you must ensure that fire safety notices are posted and maintained. This is often accomplished by sending the notice to tenants and having them sign a certification form that the notice is posted on their door(s). If you don’t send a certification, you can do inspections every three years to ensure the notice is posted where it should be.
Taking the necessary steps to distribute fire safety notices and have them posted will ensure your tenants are safe in the case of a fire. Plus, you’ll comply with the law.
