Fire Safety in Temporary Warehouses: Necessary Steps to Take
When building any type of structure, one of the key considerations is fire prevention and safety. Many states require that all structures comply with the minimum fire standards and obtain a certificate for compliance with these standards as verified by regular inspections. When making temporary structures, there are more reasons to implement fire prevention and safety than just compliance; it ensures the safety of people, goods, assets, and the structure itself.
So, management should know the essential concept of fire safety for temporary warehouses. If you are contemplating building one or giving an existing one an overhaul, we have some insightful tips for you.
Making a Plan
The planning stage is the most important. The fire safety needs of your temporary warehouse are mostly dictated by compliance standards and the materials used in the building. The budget will dictate the option that you will select. So, make all these considerations during the planning stage.
As you plan, budget considerations should come in so that you can decide on the equipment that you will use. Actually, the planning stage should include a lot of research and consultation with experts so that the right decisions are made.
Do Materials Matter?
Temporary buildings are all about using materials that are more affordable, flexible, and convenient. So, after deciding that you will make a temporary warehouse, ensure that you use materials that reduce the fire risk. Today, experts are taking this precaution seriously when making the materials that will be used in temporary warehouses. For example, fire resistant steel doors are used internally to secure warehouses or to secure rooms containing inflammable or other components susceptible to fire.
Buy the Right Firefighting Equipment
In addition to having structures that use fire-compliant materials, the company should have firefighting equipment. Fire may come, and it has done this in many instances. How well it is fought makes a big difference. Here is the common firefighting equipment to have in your temporary warehouse.
- Water supply – this is piped through the roof with automatic sprinklers.
- Fire extinguishers – come in different types to handle different types of fires. Today, there are even exploding fire-extinguishing balls that are activated by the presence of fire.
- Fire blankets and sand baskets – dealing with small instances of fire does not necessarily require fire extinguishers. Employees in the warehouse can fight smaller fires using fire blankets and sand baskets.
Set Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Evacuation Procedures
This step is crucial for saving life and property. Many fire incidences in temporary warehouses occur because there is no fire prevention procedure. It is time to write one down, train the employees, and implement it. At the same time, write down and train them on what to do when there is a fire. In many cases, this is a requirement for compliance. Luckily, the procedure is customized to suit the needs of your temporary warehouse.
Conclusion
Fire prevention and fighting procedures are very crucial when operating a temporary warehouse. With good planning and implementation, this will be an easy task for your company. Make sure that both the workers and the goods you are storing are not exposed to unnecessary fire risks at any one time.
