Planning for fire safety
1.
Does the factory have any kind of fire safety
certificate?
2.
Is the factory regularly inspected by the
competent authority which issues the certificate?
3.
Does the factory have an emergency plan in case
of fire or other emergency? NB. It should cover evacuation routes, assembly
areas, fire extinguishers and first aid locations, tel. numbers for fire
brigade and hospital etc.
4.
Does the factory
have a procedure that requires the most senior managerial staff, managers of
different sections, supervisors and worker representatives to check, at least
monthly, whether all necessary precautions against the risk of fire are being
effectively taken in each section within of the factory?
5.
Does the emergency
plan include the alarm systems, workers actions, and the procedure to account
for each worker once the worker reaches an area of safety outside of the
factory?
Training
1.
Has every new worker had a briefing on worker
action in the event of a fire? (Speak to a sample of 5 new workers)
2.
Are the procedures to be followed clearly shown
throughout the factory and in a format and language that the workers can
understand?
3.
Are evacuation drills, fire refresher training
and alarm tests done with all workers at least once per year to evaluate the
effectiveness of the emergency plan?
4.
Are records of the fire drills and tests kept
and available for inspection?
Fire alarms, detection and
escape route
1.
Does the factory rely on a person to detect
fire and raise the alarm?
2.
Does the factory have an automatic method of
detecting a fire and raising the alarm?
3.
Are smoke detectors placed in escape routes and
areas of high fire risk?
4.
Can the fire alarm be heard clearly throughout
the whole factory even when activated from a single point?
5.
If the alarm system is electrically powered,
does it have a working back-up power supply?
6.
Are walls and doors
constructed to restrict the movement of smoke and fire by-products horizontally
and vertically without interfering with evacuation?
7.
Do all workers know how to operate the fire
alarm system?
8.
Are there clear instructions placed throughout
the factory, reminding workers on how to operate the fire alarm system?
9.
Are there at least 2 fire exits on each floor,
in the correct location for all workers to escape in the case of an emergency?
10. Are there are at least two ways out from each
work station to a fire exit route?
11. Do the number and width of fire exits appear to be suitable for the
number of workers?
12. In the event of a fire, could all available exits be affected or will at
least one route remain available?
13. Are all escape routes clearly marked, clear of obstructions and provided
with working emergency light fittings?
14. Are all exit doors unlocked and designed to open outwards?
15. Are there at least 2 exit stairways, which are adequately
constructed and wide enough to support the rapid evacuation of all workers from floors above or
below ground level?
Fire fighting
1.
Are the extinguishers suitable for the type of
fire (e.g.: flammable solids; flammable liquids; electrical) and of sufficient
capacity?
2.
Are there sufficient extinguishers sited
throughout the factory. Are their locations clearly identified and
unobstructed?
3.
Are the right type of extinguishers located
close to the fire hazards and can users gain access to them without exposing
themselves to risk?
4.
Have key personnel been trained in the correct
use of these extinguishers and fire hoses?
5.
Are the fire extinguishers fully charged and inspected
weekly?
6.
Are the fire extinguishers checked and tested
annually by a competent authority / person?
7.
If the factory has an automatic sprinkler
system does it have a separate water supply and is it tested regularly?
General
1.
Have warning signs been placed on all elevators
/ lifts indicating that they must not be used in case of fire?
2.
Is smoking prohibited in all working areas and
are "No Smoking" signs clear and prominent throughout the factory?
3.
Have flammable solids, liquids and gases been
isolated from sources of ignition such as open flames, heated surfaces or
unprotected electrical wiring?
4.
When open flames or
sparks are present (such as welding, cutting, grinding or smelting), are
adequate precautions taken such as isolating sources of fuel or combustible
materials from the open flames taken and are fire extinguishers available
nearby?
5.
Is an electrical
installation safety certificate available?
6.
Are records
available which show that the electrical circuits are maintained regularly?
7.
Is each electrical
circuit protected with an adequate fuse or circuit breaker located in a well
constructed box in close proximity to the work station?
8.
Are passageways and
walkways marked and kept clear?
9.
Are an adequate
number of waste receptacles provided for each work station?
