Fire safety a must

A recent fire at a nightclub in Boksburg has once again highlighted the importance of fire safety for both homes and businesses. When a fire breaks out the consequences can be devastating.

According to eNCA, the fire broke out on September 10 at Presleys nightclub in Boksburg on the East Rand. Fortunately, no-one suffered serious injuries, although a few people had to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Andrew Worthington, general manager of Fidelity Fire Solutions, a division of Fidelity Services Group, says year-round education around fire safety is critical. “In the residential space, every year, we get called out to many fire incidents. Besides the obvious threat of losing their lives, people can lose their homes and possessions in a matter of minutes when a fire breaks out.”

He adds that when officers respond to the scene of a fire, more often than not there are no smoke detectors or fire extinguishers at the premises. While there seems to be a shift towards putting greater fire prevention measures in place in homes and businesses, more still needs to be done.

“Installing smoke alarms isn’t common practice in South Africa, but it should be. Linked to an armed response service, you’ll have peace of mind that help is on its way in the event of a fire emergency, when every second counts,” says Worthington.

For maximum protection, particularly for businesses, a comprehensive fire safety system is needed to ensure business continuity, personal safety, and damage mitigation in case of fire.

The face of fire suppression has changed substantially over the last couple of decades, so business owners must consider a range of different factors when it comes to their data centre fire suppression systems. The primary fire protection systems used within data centres typically include wet pipe sprinklers, pre-action sprinklers, and special suppression (like clean agent, inert gas, or mist).

“Fire safety is a long-term investment that must be carefully planned to minimise any operational interruptions, to ensure the business continuity, and ultimately to properly protect both people and property,” asserts Worthington.

Here are some Fidelity Fire Solutions’ top tips on what to do and what not to do:

DO:

• Install smoke alarms and have them linked to your alarm system.
• Buy at least one fire extinguisher for your home.
• Know your emergency numbers and what to do in an emergency.
• Check electrical cables for faults and take note of warnings on electrical appliances.
• Keep low when exiting a smoke-filled room and cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth.
• Work out an emergency fire drill.

DON’T:

• Leave a burning candle, heater, pot of oil, or fire unattended – ever!
• Pack up your personal belongings before getting to safety.
• Try to put an oil fire out with water.
• Open a door which is hot to the touch.
• Go back into a building if you’ve made it outside safely.
• Enter a room that is on fire.