The ARSC Advisor

October Is Fire Prevention Month

By George Kezerle, OHST
Director of Training & Course Development, ArkLaTex Safety Council

All business and homes need a fire prevention plan.  These plans can be very simple or detailed; depending on the size of the business or the home. Alarm systems need to be installed throughout the business or home as follows:

  1. Wherever a combustible material is installed or available, there should be a smoke detector.
  2. Wherever a gas appliance is installed, there should be a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector installed

Procedures:

Smoke Alarm

  1. A continued set of three beeps – beep, beep, beep – means smoke or fire. Get out, sound alarm, call 9-1-1 and stay out of the area unless you are able and trained to fight fires.
  2. A single “chirp” every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
  3. Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.
  4. All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm

  1. A continuous set of four loud beeps—beep, beep, beep, beep—means carbon monoxide is present in your home. Go outside, call 9-1-1 and stay out of the area unless you are able and trained to fight fires.
  2. A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be replaced.
  3. CO alarms also have “end of life” sounds that vary by manufacturer. This means it’s time to get a new CO alarm.
  4. Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.

References

NFPA 101

OSHA 29 CRF 1910.39