Tag: fire safety

Summer Fire Safety Tips for the Workplace

As facilities managers know, summer brings increased risks of fire hazards that require proactive planning and risk mitigation. With higher use of electrical equipment such as fans and air conditioning, risks of electrical overloads and arson attacks rise. Not to mention that reduced staffing levels can also impact safety practices. The summer is a great […]

Back to Basics: Emergency Exits and Keeping the Way Out Clear

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. During a fire or another emergency, your employees need a clear exit route and clearly marked and unlocked exit doors. Your employees’ exit route must remain unobstructed by equipment or stored items, and employees must be […]

Colorado Passes ‘Landmark’ Law on Wildfire Resiliency and Building Codes

On May 12, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed SB23-166, a new law establishing a Wildfire Resiliency Code Board to enhance building codes, bolster fire-resistant construction, and protect against wildfire risks in the state’s wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and International Code Council strongly supported SB23-166 and have praised its passage, […]

OSHA Again Cites Dollar Tree, Dollar General for Blocked Exits

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) again cited discount retailers Dollar Tree and Dollar General for blocked exit routes in their stores. On April 24, the agency announced it’s seeking $770,136 in penalties for hazards related to obstructed exits, unsafe storage of materials, fire, and other hazards at Dollar Tree stores in East Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode […]

Dollar General Facing $1 Million in New OSHA Fines

Discount retailer Dollar General faces over $1 million in new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines for violations at four stores in Florida and Georgia, the agency announced March 13. OSHA inspected stores in Ocala, Florida, and Columbus, Georgia, finding repeat violations, including blocked exits and fire extinguishers, locked exit doors, and improperly stacked […]

Faces of Facilities: Ty Dupass from the Community College of Philadelphia

As a native New Yorker, Ty Dupass considers the September 11th tragedy a “pivotal moment” in his career and is particularly proud of his degree in fire science, which he has “dedicated to the service persons and civilians who lost their lives on 9/11.” Dupass currently serves as Director of Environmental Services and Life Safety […]

Back to Basics: Workplace Fire Safety and Prevention

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Fires present a real danger to businesses, especially in workplaces where fire hazards are part of the job. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a fire department in the United States responds to a […]

Campus Fire Safety Tips as College Students Return

As Labor Day nears, college students across the country have recently returned to campus or are gearing up to return as in-person learning resumes at many higher education institutions. Through their annual “Campus Fire Safety for Students” campaign in September, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS) are working […]

What Happens When a Fire Sprinkler System Fails

Fire sprinkler systems are installed in commercial and industrial (C&I) facilities to protect occupants, property structures, and contents. These systems contain fires and help save lives. Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) indicate that the civilian death rate from fires is 87% lower in buildings with sprinklers, compared to properties without fire sprinkler […]

NFPA Provides Fire Stats for 2020, a ‘Far from Typical’ Year

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released findings from its latest “Fire Loss in the U.S.” report, which shows that the total number of U.S. fires overall rose 8% from 2019 to 2020. While some year-to-year fluctuation is normal, NFPA said this increase reflects a “far from typical” year due to the pandemic.  “In […]