A fire safety plan is designed to account for the unique characteristics and classifications of each building, the occupant loads, means of egress, floor plan evacuation schematics, emergency contacts, persons requiring assistance etc. Whether it be building employees, tenants, or anyone who may enter and occupy the building facility, it is a requirement that fire safety planning measures have been fully implemented. The fire safety plan is one of the most important building manuals as it contains evacuation procedures to ensure building occupants quickly and safely leave the building should a fire emergency occur. It is to be readily available at all times, with copies kept in the approved fire plan box at the premises entrance and a separate secure location in the building.
It is a code requirement to fully implement the scheduled maintenance requirements for the building fire protection and life safety systems, in order to keep them in full working order 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Their operation supports a systematic method of safe and orderly evacuation of the occupants from the building. The fire safety plan does list the checks, inspections and testing requirements of the fire alarm, sprinkler and standpipe systems, the emergency lighting, exit fixtures, fire extinguishers, fire hoses, etc. Annual inspections and testing of fire systems will require qualified contractors to perform them.
City officials may require that an accepted fire safety plan or parts thereof, if its content is outdated, be upgraded to comply with the current standards and re-submitted for review. As described in the fire code, the building fire safety plan shall be reviewed as often as necessary, but at intervals not greater than twelve months, to ensure that it takes account of changes in the use and other characteristics of the building. The fire code stipulates that each building owner is ultimately responsible for carrying out the provisions for fire safety, including any person, firm or corporation controlling the property under consideration. Consequently, the owner may be one or a combination of parties, including building management, maintenance staff and tenant groups.
The contents in this bulletin are the views and expressed opinions of the authors and offer no guarantee of completeness or accuracy of any information published herein. Neither Firepoint Inc nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages or losses, including exemplary damages, arising out of use, inability to use, or with regard to the accuracy or sufficiency of this publications contents. Bulletin reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written consent of Firepoint Inc. Copyright 2022 -All Rights Reserved
