Fire safety begins with you

Before I became a full time safety professional, I was a unit safety representtative for a logistics support squadron. The duties performed there were largely administrative. When I performed inspections in the offices, I was often told, "You won't find much in here, all we do is office work."

Most of the time I found very little, but if I did find something, it was usually a fire hazard. Some of the hazards most often identified in office environments include, but are not limited to the following and should be fixed promptly.

Power strips plugged into power strips. With the increase in number of desktop computers in our work areas, some older buildings experience an acute shortage in available power outlets.

A commonly practiced solution to this problem is the use of power strips. This provides only a temporary solution. It becomes a hazard when one power strip is plugged into another. By doing so, the user is drawing power for two strips through a cord that is only rated for one.

Extension cords used in lieu of permanent wiring. Another short-term solution for limited outlets is the use of extension cords. Extension cords are ideal for short-term use. Extension cords can become a hazard when they are used for long periods of time. An extension cord used to power your personal computer is not an appropriate use. Often, extension cords are required to pull greater loads and for longer periods of time, than they were designed to handle. In addition to this, they are often used across existing walkways were they can become frayed.

The wrong type or inadequate number of fire extinguishers. A work center may have been originally equipped with a class A extinguisher, (fox trash, paper and wood combustibles) which was adequate for the work performed. With the addition of multiple desktop computers, a class ABC extinguisher is required. Something else to consider is the number of extinguishers. Are there enough in the building to provide quick and easy access in the event of a fire? Do you know where they are?

Materials stacked too close to light fixtures or fire detection suppression devices. Offices are often in short supply of storage space. Work materials can sometimes end up on top of refrigerators, filing cabinets and shelves. Make sure these items are at least 18 inches away from overhead lights or fire detection/suppression devices.

Most of us would readily admit that refueling aircraft is an obviously dangerous operation with easily identifiable fire hazards. In contrast, very few of us would acknowledge that an office environment can and often present some significant, though often overlooked fire hazards. Look around your office and see if you can identify something that has been overlooked. It's better to find them now than to have the fire chief explain them to you amidst the smoldering ruins of your workstation.

Copyright Superintendent of Documents, Military Airlift Command Jul/Aug 2000
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