The traditional image of office work being always safe is deceptive. The main risk to life and property in offices is from fire. Besides loss of life. Injury to office workers and damage to property, critical data and irreplaceable office records, loss of which can give a severe blow to the organisation, are vulnerable to poorly managed fire hazards in modern offices.

Common fire hazards

• Paper records, plastic tapes and floppy discs

• False ceiling, wooden furniture, carpet, etc.

• Non-standard and faulty powered office equipment

• Defective and loose electrical wiring

• Overloading of electrical circuits

• Free use of extension cords, ungrounded plugs and unfused multiple outlet adapters

• Microwave oven, hot plate, cooking fuel (LPG), etc in office canteens

Following are some simple tips which if followed, would certainly help to minimise incidents of office fires or at least their severity :

Fire Prevention

General Considerations:

• Practise good housekeeping. See that all thrash cans and recycling containers are emptied on a regular basis.

• Ensure that office and storage closets are free of excess combustible material. Limit their quantities to an acceptable level and store them only in approved cabinets.

• Keep heat-producing equipment such as copiers, computers, coffee makers, hot plates, etc. away from anything that might burn. Don't smoke at places other than permitted areas and discard ashes in ashtrays only.

• Ensure that air vents on computers and other heat-producing equipment are not covered or restricted causing inadequate airflow, which could cause a fire.

• Don't place space heaters under desks.   Locate them in an open and away from combustibles.

Electrical Considerations:

• Don't overload circuits. Install additional circuits if needed.

• Turn off electrical equipment/appliances while leaving the office.

• Use only grounded appliances plugged into grounded outlets.

• Disconnect electrical appliance if it malfunctions or gives off a strange smell and call the maintenance personnel.

• Never plug one extension cord into another.

• Take electrical equipment with defective cords, out of service until the cord is replaced.

• Avoid use of electrical extension cords. Use them only in situations where fixed wiring is not feasible. If their use is necessary, ensure that they are not run through doors, walls, floors or any other location where they could be damaged.

• Examine extension cords regularly and ensure that they are not frayed or defective.

• Follow correct specifications when replacing fuses in equipment.

• Always prefer standard erquipment bearing ISI mark.

Fire Emergency

Be prepared

• Ensure that emergency numbers are pasted on your telephone.

• Know how to use fire extinguishers and activate fire alarms.

• Don't block fire equipment and fire exits.

• Ensure that fire equipment is maintained in working condition   by periodic inspection and maintenance

• Report missing and damaged extinguishers immediately.

If fire occurs

• Don't panic; remain calm.

• Notify anyone in the immediate area and fire brigade.

• Activate the nearest fire alarm.

• Turn off the electrical equipment in the immediate area, if possible.

• Confine the fire by closing doors and windows.

• Attempt to extinguish the fire only if it is safe to do so.

• Stay low if there is smoke or heat.

• Don't use elevators. Always use staircases; do not congregate in the stairways. Always move down and out.

• Don't go back for your things if you are asked to leave.

• Assemble outside. Do not re-enter the building until notified.

• Don't enter the area if you suspect that a life-threatening condition^ stilll exists.

• Take affected persons to a safer place and get medical help promptly.