Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features

In order to reduce the hazards associated with the various classes of fires, precautions must be taken towards maintaining and safeguarding the operational features of exit routes.

Several steps can be taken to minimize the dangers to employees, as follows:

• Exit routes must be kept free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or other decorations.
• Exit routes must be arranged so that employees will not have to travel toward a high hazard area, unless the path of travel is shielded from the high hazard area by partitions or barriers.
• Exit routes must be free and unobstructed. No materials or equipment can be placed within the exit route. The exit access cannot go through a room that could be locked, such as a bathroom, or lead to a dead-end corridor. If the route is not level, there must be stairs or a ramp.

Safeguards designed to protect employees must be in proper working order at all times. There are various types of safeguards, such as:

• Sprinkler systems
• Alarm systems
• Fire doors
• Exit lighting

Each exit route must be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route and meet specific requirements, such as:

• Exits must be clearly marked by a sign reading "Exit."
• Each exit route door must be free of decorations that obscure the visibility of the exit route door.
• If the direction of the travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge. The line-of-sight to an exit sign must be visible.
• Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked "Not an Exit" or with a similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use.
• Each exit sign must be illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles, which corresponds to 54 lux, by a reliable light source and be distinctive in color.

Paints or solutions must be maintained and renewed as often as possible to maintain fire retardant properties.

Exit routes must be maintained during construction, repairs, or alterations, while abiding by certain requirements, such as:

• During new construction, employees cannot occupy a workplace until the exit routes are completed and ready for employee use in the area of the workplace that they occupy.
• During repairs or alterations, employees cannot occupy a workplace unless the exit routes are available and existing fire protections are maintained, or until alternate fire protection is furnished that can provide an equivalent level of safety.
• Employees cannot be exposed to hazards associated with flammable or explosive substances or equipment that is beyond the normal permissible conditions in the workplace or that impede the workplace in situations, as follows:
  • Construction
  • Repairs
  • Alterations to the site

Employee alarms systems must be working. Employers are required to install and maintain an operable employee alarm system that has a distinctive signal for warning employees of fire or other emergencies, unless employees can promptly see or smell a fire or other hazard in time to provide adequate warning.

To learn more about Dental & Medical Hazards visit our Dental & Medical Office Course Bundle Online Training web page.