Safety Recommendations for Tenants in High Rise / Multi Storied Buildings

DOs:

1) Smoking: Have in place a no-smoking policy and ensure that this is strictly adhered to.

2) Electric Supply: Switch off power supply after the close of office/ working hours. Additions and alterations to electrical wiring should be carried out only with the approval of the building maintenance authorities/ owner of the building using licensed contractors and in compliance with necessary standards and regulations

3) Maintenance of electrical equipment should be carried out by qualified and experienced electricians Reduction of Fire Load Wooden partitions, work stations, furniture and furnishings of a combustible nature increase the fire load in the premises. This could be mitigated by avoidance or reduction of combustible material through increased usage of non-combustible and fire retardant material for such purposes

4) Portable Fire Extinguishers: Deploy adequate extinguishers and train employees in the use of these In case of Fire immediately inform the building maintenance department and evacuate the building in case initial fire fighting efforts are not fruitful

Dealing with emergencies

• Identify the major emergencies that could occur in the premises. These could include: A fire in the premises or building, a major natural calamity like earthquake, a terrorist attack on the building etc
• Have in place a documented plan to deal with such emergencies identifying the actions that would need to be taken and the persons who would be responsible for this.
• Periodically conduct desktop exercises and mock drills of dealing with such emergencies including evacuation.
• Whole heartedly involve and participate in evacuation and emergency exercises when these are organised by the building maintenance agencies/ building owner

Don’ts:

1) Hot work Welding, cutting and other hot work jobs should not be carried out in the premises without informing the building authorities and without taking adequate precautions like issuing a work permit and having a fire watch with an extinguisher as stand by

2) Electrical Wiring Avoid carrying out any type of loose or temporary wiring in the premises

3) Electrical and AHU Rooms should not be used as storage places for files, stationery or any other combustible/ non-combustible material

4) Sprinklers If sprinklers are provided ensure that no structural alterations are carried out to these and no obstructions are created that impair its efficiency

Emergency Exit & Escape Routes:

• The door of the emergency exit should not be kept locked. In case this cannot be avoided, ensure that the key for this is kept near the door in a break glass enclosure. Also ensure that free access/ egress is possible during an emergency through these doors.
• Ensure that no storage is carried out in the stairs that are to be used for emergency escape as this can severely hamper evacuation during an emergency Housekeeping Avoid storage of combustible materials like files, folders, stationery and paper near electrical wiring and switchboards. A clear separating distance of at least one metre is to be maintained between electrical equipment / wiring and any type of storages