Exits life safety

Using a standard audit form is certainly acceptable and can prove to be an outstanding tool, especially when getting a handle on a fire extinguisher program, life-safety issues, the lighting of exit signs, availability of first-aid kits, clear aisles, and a variety of issues that are basic in nature. The typical standard audit form will likely have complete sections that are marked not applicable. Unless a unique audit form is created, there is usually no way around sections that will be marked not applicable. ... 

In those cases where an engineering evaluation is used to establish life safety criteria, travel distance to an exit should at a minimum be determined by an evaluation of occupancy hazards, occupant loading, egress pathways and hazard protection/mitigation features of the warehouse building. 

As part of overall emergency preparedness, warehouse operators should conduct regular drills to ensure occupant familiarity with building exits and the paths of exit travel. These drills establish a routine which provides a higher degree of life safety for building occupants. 

A designated identification label provided at or near an exit that is clearly recognizable and visible and identifies the exit or the path to an exit. Some codes require red exit signs and others green. Red is usually associated with fire and exit lights and green for safety. The Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recognizes either color as acceptable. 

A fire code (NFPA 101) developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for the preservation of life from a fire event or its associated hazards. It is primarily concerned with exit facilities and arrangements and protection against fire events. As a result of the large life loss of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in New York in 1911, the NFPA was challenged to provide life safety measures for factories and loft buildings, control of smoking in hazardous areas, improved exits, and provision of fire drills. NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, is the standard that is used to delineate the appropriate fire exit requirements. 

The allowable maximum number of individuals that are allowed to occupy a structure. Maximum occupancy postings are primarily provided at structures to ensure that the available exits for the facility are adequate and panic will not ensue during an emergency evacuation. The maximum occupancy postings are based on measurable standards for exit door provisions. These provisions are most commonly cited in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Life Safety Code (LSC). See also Overcrowding. Maximum Permissible Concentration (MPC)... 

Width Life safety codes define stair widths for exiting during fires. The standard exit unit, the width needed by one person, is 22 in. Most stair standards require more width than one exit unit. Chapter 16 gives more information on life safety. 

Protection of human life is the first priority in a fire. Life safety in a facility provides occupants with (a) a reasonable degree of safety from fire, and (b) an adequate opportunity to exit if a fire occurs. There are many codes and standards adopted by organizations and government units to achieve life safety. The most often cited life safety standard is NFPA 101. ° NFPA also provides explanations for the theories or concepts behind particular elements in the standard. 

Provisions of life safety codes address many aspects of a building. There are properties of interior finishes, size, number and location of exits, exit distance, protection of exit routes from fire and smoke, alarm systems, emergency lighting, signage for exit routes, compartmentation, construction type, horizontal and vertical openings, extinguishing systems, and other factors. The discussion below addresses some of these provisions. For details, refer to the standards. 

Exit Capacity Life safety standards give capacities for exits. The capacities vary with occupancy, which adjusts all occupancies to a similar total exiting time. The standards also vary for stairs, ramps, doors, horizontal exits, and escalators. The number of exit units affects capacities required for an occupancy. 

Other Factors Life safety standards address many other details about construction of exit enclosnres, bnUding services, and equipment. Specifications may vary for different occupancies and hazards. 

In life safety design one must compute the required number of exit units. The procedure involves computing the occupant load for a floor and then the number of exit units. 

Fire, exit, and life safety codes typically define minimum light levels for exits and exit routes. In some cases the minimum level is very low. That level may not be suUicient for transition zones where one experiences a sudden change in illumination. This is particularly true if the transition involves dark adaptation. The life safety and exit codes also have standards for emergency lighting. Other standards may offer minimum illumination levels for safety in general. Table 20 offers some recommendations for minimum illumination levels. 

K Reacton Redurtdant fire protection safety class equipment not providod. Lade of ooctqrant life safety itcms-iated stairs, multiple exits, etc., lack of automatic fire suppression systems, redundant fire protection em, liquid rutbofi conliol in the 107-A diesel dike, floor drains artd storm drains. Are (continued)... 

For example, the National Five Protection Association s Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, may require, among other factors detectors for smoke and products of combustion automatic and manual audible and visible alarms lighted exit signs designated, alternate, properly lit exit paths adequate spacing for personnel at the end of the exit path proper hardware for doors and emergency power systems. Obviously, much more is needed than merely warnings. ... 

Some of the NFPA Standards consulted during preparation of this volume are listed in the Bibliography. A consolidated source is the NFPA s Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code Handbook. A more specialized discussion of bvdlding exits and fire escapes is in the Life Safety Code Handbook. 

Both OSHA and NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety Code, require that at least two exit routes be available in a workplace to permit prompt evacuation (with the exception noted in 1910.36(b)(3)). Specifically, 1910.36(b) requires exit routes be located as far away as practical from each other so that if one exit route is blocked by fire or smoke, employees can evacuate using the second exit route. Keep in mind that an exit route consists of three parts Exit access, the exit, and the exit discharge. 

OSHA states at 1910.37(a)(3) that exit routes must be free and unobstructed. No materials or equipment may be placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route. OSHA defines an exit route as a continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety. [bold emphasis added] The NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety Code, also says that an exit discharge must be free and unobstructed. 

Compliance with these provisions will limit the propagation of smoke or hazardous chemicals/gases from affected fabrication areas to exit corridors or adjacent spaces and enhance life safety. 

Whereas Approved Document B to the Buiiding Regulations provides guidance on the caicuiation of flow rates for exit routes, the British Standards Pubiished Document (PD7974 Part 6 2004) - Human factors life safety strategies - Occupant evacuation, behaviour and condition, provides detailed information relating to phases 2 and 3 of evacuation, i.e. pre-movement and travel time . 

The life safety concept began in 1963 with the publication of the Building Exits Code. The NFPA published its First Edition of the Life Safety Code in 1966. Building codes provide design criteria... 

The committee on Safety to Life of the NFPA initiated the Life Safety Code in 1913. The committee dedicated its efforts to the loss of life due to fire and its causes. Many pamphlets were published pertaining to standards for the construction and arrangement of exit factors, schools, etc., which form the basis of the present building code. Today s codes include standards for all types of occupancies. 

Exit doors that open inward, so that passage from the area is more difficult (Life Safety Code)... 

D. Life safety systems (e.g., generators, batteries, exit lighting, fire alarms)... 

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