FD Rant News - October 2016
TALKIN ’ FIRE STUFF By Jeff DiLavore Firehouse Safety
A lot of you call this place your “ home away from home .” Some of you spend more time here than at your day jobs . Whether your firehouse is a single apparatus substation or your headquarters housing 12 pieces of apparatus and equipment , you must always be aware of any hazards that may exist . So are you operating and “ living ” in a safe environment ? Let ’ s talk about a few things that we should be doing to ensure that the firehouse is a safe place to “ live ” and work .
Each time a piece of fire apparatus is started it releases a big black cloud of diesel soot . Your apparatus room should be equipped with an exhaust system capable of handling the potentially dangerous fumes which contain carbon monoxide , known to be the “ silent killer ”. In the absence of such a system , the bay doors of the apparatus room must remain open long enough after the apparatus is shut down to allow for the fumes to dissipate into the outside air . The fire service responds to hundreds , if not thousands , of carbon monoxide emergencies each year so let ’ s practice what we preach and perform safely . Make sure there are carbon monoxide detectors strategically located at , or near , all of the entrances into the truck room from any other areas such as bathrooms , lounges , or administrative offices .
Continuing with the apparatus room area we should make sure that the apparatus doors are equipped with safety features such as an electronic eye that causes the door to automatically rise in the event someone [ or something ] is in the door ’ s path as it is coming down . This feature should be checked often , perhaps weekly or even daily , to ensure it is working properly . The doors also should be equipped with chains to manually raise or lower them in the event of a power outage or other problem . There is nothing worse than trying to get out for an alarm and not being able to raise the door to get the apparatus out .
Lighting in the apparatus room should be adequate enough as to illuminate all areas when someone enters the room . Proper lighting will prevent collision injuries and falls caused by the inability to see obstacles in your path . Whether there are automatic sensor switches or flip switches at EVERY entrance to the apparatus room , the lights need to be on when any personnel are in there performing their duties . Low wattage sodium lights are also a smart alternative to keep the room lit around the clock . Emergency lighting is just that -- lighting to be used in the event there is an emergency such as a power outage . Check emergency lighting for operation weekly by pressing the “ test ” switch . This will ensure that the bulbs are working and that the unit is ready to perform when needed . The final lighting issue concerns the proper installation and operation of egress lighting . Exit signs should be prominently located in order to direct people to the exits in the event of an emergency . This lighting should be tested weekly or monthly as well . The best time to test all of your backup systems is to run the building ’ s back-up generator at least once each week .
In order to prevent slips and falls let ’ s make sure that all floors are clean , dry and free from any substance [ s ] that may increase the chances of falling . In the apparatus room , identify and clean up all oil and / or transmission fluid leaks by using an absorbent such as Speedy Dry . Standing water is also just as dangerous , therefore address all leaks and make repairs accordingly . Keep a spill kit available that contains what is needed to clean up any hazardous substances that have found their way on to the apparatus room floor . Other slipping hazards can be found in restrooms and on stairwells . Make sure “ wet floor ” signs are prominently placed while flooring cleaning is being performed . All stairs should have a slip proof substance on the treads and the edges should be painted with a bright color to increase visibility in situations where there may be low lighting available .
The firehouse contains many pressurized cylinders that are used in performing the job . Let ’ s make sure that the all oxygen cylinders are properly secured where they may be located , either on the apparatus or in the store rooms . The stationary refill system should be secured to a stationary wall and the room should be well ventilated . Proper placards should be placed to identify its presence . All spare SCBA bottles should be stored properly as well , and the refilling system should be secured and properly identified . Finally , often overlooked are the CO2 canisters used to charge the soda systems in the lounge area . Store and secure properly .
We previously discussed having a spill kit available to contain and clean up any hazardous substance that winds up on the floor but to PREVENT the spills we need to ensure that we are storing the chemicals properly in the first place . All solvents , oils , and cleaners should be sealed in their container and placed in a steel cabinet with a door that closes and latches . That storage cabinet should be placarded accordingly . Gasoline should be stored in a well-ventilated area and , whenever possible , outside of the firehouse [ i . e . in a shed or covered porch area ]. All rags that are used in conjunction with these chemicals should be kept in a covered metal pail to avoid any auto ignition situation that may occur .
Probably the most important safety device that should be available is an Automatic External Defibrillator [ AED ]. Each fire station should have an AED available for use in the event an occupant of the building suffers a sudden cardiac arrest . Proper safety equipment should be available to members who may be using tools in the truck room . Bench grinders should have eye protection and gloves in the immediate vicinity . Emergency eye wash stations should be prominently and conspicuously placed and marked as to be readily available .
Finally , an often overlooked hazard is something that we take for granted everyday : garbage . Any and all garbage receptacles should be emptied regularly . Discarded food products and beverages that sit for long periods of time will not smell too good and will ultimately attract rodents who only come around to get a free meal . [ Hmmm , that sounds familiar , doesn ’ t it ?]
If you see something , do something . Don ’ t walk past a potentially dangerous situation and do nothing . Fix it , or tell someone who can , so you can prevent an injury to someone – maybe even you .
Jeff DiLavore is a former member and an Ex-Chief of a Nassau County fire department , a Registered Nurse and a former EMT-CC / P . He is the Publisher of the FD Rant News and currently serves as a fire commissioner in a Suffolk County fire district . You can contact him at : jeff @ FDRantNews . com
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