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Apartment Safety Tips
This information is designed as a general fire
prevention guide for apartment managers and owners. It covers areas
of the Oregon Uniform Fire Code that apply to apartments. Some local
areas may have additional requirements for apartments. Contact the
Keizer Fire District for more information.
Fire Alarm and Sprinkler Systems
Apartment managers and/or owners are
responsible for maintaining, testing and arranging for inspection
of fire alarm and sprinkler systems. Manufacturer’s instructions
should be used as a guideline for testing and maintenance.
Apartment managers and/or owners are also responsible for keeping
records of testing, maintenance and inspection of fire alarm and
sprinkler systems. Records should be kept readily accessible.
Single Station Smoke Alarms
Effective January 1, 2002, all tenant occupied
dwellings that are equipped with an ionization smoke alarm must
have a "hush feature" which allows the occupant to silence
it for a period of not more than 15 minutes.
Also, if the ionization smoke alarm is powered solely by battery,
it must have a ten-year battery. If the ionization alarms are hard-wired,
they must have a "hush feature" but do not have to have
a ten-year battery back up, a regular battery back-up will suffice.
If the alarms are photoelectric they do not need to meet these requirements.
Apartments are required to have smoke alarms as per the building
code at the time of construction. However, there are minimum requirements
for all buildings. The minimum requirements are that smoke alarms
must be installed outside the sleeping area, such as in a hallway.
If the apartment has more than one level a smoke alarm must be installed
on each level.
Crook County Fire and Rescue recommends adding smoke alarms to each
bedroom for additional protection. Smoke alarms should not be installed
in kitchens, bathroom, garages or unheated areas because moisture,
frost, cooking vapors and exhaust fumes could cause the unit to
sound a false alarm. Smoke and deadly gases are hot, so they rise
toward the ceiling. That’s where alarms should be –
on the ceiling at least four inches from the nearest wall or high
on a wall, four to 12 inches from the ceiling. Contact the Keizer
Fire District for more specific information.
Smoke alarms must be tested by the manager and tenant upon initial
occupancy. After the initial testing, it is up to the tenant to
maintain the alarm(s).
Exiting
Exit doors should be accessible at all times. Corridors
and other escape routes need to be kept clear as well. Nothing should
be stored in exit ways or under stairs.
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Portable fire extinguishers, when required, should be installed
in common areas and in plain view, in an accessible spot near escape
routes.
Travel distance to extinguishers should be no more than 75 feet.
Install extinguishers so that the top is no more than five feet
above the floor.
They should be easy to reach and remove, and placed where they will
not be damaged.
Fire extinguishers need to be inspected regularly and periodically
hydrostatically tested according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Extension cords
Extension cords should not be used as permanent wiring. They should
only be used with portable appliances and plugged directly into
an approved receptacle, power tap or multi-plug adapter.
All extension cords need to be in good condition without splices,
deterioration or damage. They should be grounded when servicing
grounded appliances.
Extension cords should not be affixed to structures, extend through
walls, ceilings, and floors or under doors or floor coverings. They
should not be exposed to environmental or physical damage.
Laundry rooms
Laundry rooms need to be clean.
Lint traps and vents should be cleaned regularly to prevent the
accumulation of lint.
Switchboards and Panelboards
Make sure there is clear access to switchboards and panelboards;
30 inches of clearance is required.
Miscellaneous
Attics and boiler rooms should not be used to store combustible
items.
Encourage all residents to have a fire escape plan and to practice
it regularly. A good escape plan will list two ways out, show a
meeting place and list emergency phone numbers.
Business Safety Checklist
Exterior Premises
Address-identifiable
Access-maintained
Hydrants-3’ clearance around
Housekeeping-not an arsonist target
Egress
Recognizable-exit signs
Unobstructed-nothing in exit pathways obstructing required exit
width
Unlocked-all exit doors shall be unlocked during business hours,
always providing ways to get out
Illuminated-means of egress must be illuminated when building is
occupied
Combustible storage-prohibited near exits, exit enclosures, or under
stairways
Electrical
Circuit Breaker Panel Boxes-labeled breakers, proper access in front
of (30” x 78”
Electrical/Mechanical Room Housekeeping-no combustible storage allowed
Overloaded circuits? Recommend extra circuit or use power taps
Extension cords-plugged into outlet or power tap directly, not piggybacked,
proper size, not used as substitute for permanent wiring, serves
only one portable appliance, listed for intended use
Power Taps (Power Strips)-shall be listed, directly plugged into
permanently installed receptacle, not piggybacked
Electric Motors-maintained & clean
Fire Extinguisher
Training-“PASS = Pull-Aim-Squeeze-Sweep”
Proper extinguishers
Low hazard-min. 2A10BC, 75’ travel dist.
Ordinary hazard-min. 2A10BC (30’), 2A20BC (50’)
Extra hazard-min. 4A40BC (30’), 4A80BC (50’)
Type K in commercial kitchens-within 30’ of heat producing
equipment
Proper locations-near exit doors where possible, not exceeding maximum
travel distance, properly mounted (max. 5’ high if <40
lbs., max 3 ½’ if >40 lbs. In all cases, min. 4”
above ground)
Proper maintenance-annual service required, six year service collar
on extinguishers requiring a 12 year hydrostatic test
Fire/Smoke Separations
Properly maintained-self closing doors not propped open, smoke and
fire doors able to fully close upon activation
Flammable Storage
Liquid storage indoors- > 10 gallons must be stored in liquid
storage cabinet(s)
Retail Class 1 liquids-max. total 30 gal. unsprinklered building,
60 gal. sprinklered building; max. height 6’ on metal shelves
or 4’ 6” on pallets, piles or racks; max. metal container
size=5 gal.; no combustibles stored above.
Heat Sources
Ignition sources-prohibited near fumes, clearance to combustibles
to be maintained
Portable Heaters-tip over and high temperature limiting features
required and 3’ clearance to combustibles
Combustible Materials/Storage
Combustible indoor storage-to be orderly, 2’ from ceiling
(unsprinklered), 18” or more below sprinkler heads
Combustible outdoor storage- dumpsters min. 5’ from buildings,
10’ from property linesDecorations-to be non-flammable or
treated flame resistant
Fire Protection/Detection Maintenance
Sprinkler system-annual service
Alarm system-annual service
Kitchen hood suppression system-6 mos. Service
Standpipe systems-every 5 years
Special Occupancy Requirements
Consult Fire Department
Fire Protection
The building, occupant load and means of egress, including the number
of exits, exiting distances, doors and exit illumination and signs,
shall meet the requirements of the Oregon Structural Specialty Code.
Rooms used for child care shall not be located above or below the
ground floor, except as allowed by the Oregon Structural Specialty
Code.
Fire Extinguishers
There shall be at least one 2A-10BC-rated fire extinguisher in the
center;
Fire extinguisher(s) shall be placed as recommended by the fire
marshal.
Smoke Detectors:
Smoke detectors shall be installed in all areas
where children nap;
When the center's capacity is 50 or more, an approved manual fire
alarm system shall be provided, as required by the Oregon Structural
Specialty Code;
Smoke detectors shall be tested each month.
Obstructions, including furniture, storage of supplies, or any other
items shall not be placed in corridors, stairwells or exit ways.
Candles or other open flame decorative devices are prohibited, except
for the brief use of celebratory candles.
There shall be written evidence
that any wood stove in the building has been inspected and approved
for use by the local building official.
Escape Ladders for your home or workplace
Crook County Fire & Rescue is currently involved
in a home escape ladder program. We feel that it is important to
have options during emergencies. The safe evacuation of your home
is a life saving event. CCF&R is working with Red-Rung Rescue
Ladders to provide two and three story alternatives for exiting
homes in emergency situations. We stress that the use of the ladder
is for emergency only. We are offering free ladders with installation
for qualifying homeowners. Please call 447-5011 for more information.
Does your business have a need for such a ladder?
Please call!
Click here
for photos of escape ladders for business use.
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