Download Fire Safety Guidelines

NGMA
Fire Safety
An alarm system is the preferred means of alerting employees to a fire, they should be included in
your plan, and they should be available throughout the workplace to alert for evacuation. When a fire
breaks out in a greenhouse or any other building, all occupants must be evacuated immediately. Exit
routes from buildings must be clear and free of obstructions and properly marked with signs designating exits from the building. As normal exits may be blocked, it is compulsory that emergency exits
exist. Emergency exit plans let you rely on automatic responses during an actual emergency.
Knockout panels should be located in the greenhouse sidewalls and gable ends. Employees should be
taught how to get out of a greenhouse or building as quickly as possible in an emergency. When
everyone is out of harm’s way, call the fire department. Give your name, address and the exact location of the fire. Have the person you are talking to repeat your instructions. Never allow anyone to
reenter a burning building.
Special procedures for helping physically impaired employees must be addressed in the plan. The
plan must include procedures for those employees who must remain behind temporarily to shut down
critical plant equipment before they evacuate. Doors and windows should be closed when escaping a
fire. Failure to do so may cause air drafts, which will fan the fire.
Conduct regular, unannounced fire drills, so all employees know what they should do. After a drill,
hold a meeting to discuss improvements in procedures and equipment. Drills and training can be
included along with educational programs.
6. Hot Work (welding) Rules
Hot work is common in a greenhouse, and is an especially high-risk situation. Written procedures
must be available, adhered to and enforced with a “no exceptions” policy.
a. General Guidelines:
• Remove flammable or combustible materials from the area (35 feet)
• Have working fire extinguishers at the location of work
• Designate a fire-watch person who is to have no other responsibilities when the work is
taking place, but to stay alert and to take appropriate action (stop work, sound alarm, fight
fire) in the event of a fire.
• Make all potentially impacted employees aware of the fact that hot work is taking place.
• Shield thermoplastic glazing or shading from exposure.
7. Housekeeping
General housekeeping is extremely important as fires spread rapidly through accumulated trash and
debris. No trash or debris should be allowed to accumulate in buildings or greenhouses. It should be
removed prior to the end of each workday, and properly disposed of in an open outside area or noncombustible container. These measures will make your greenhouse operation more fire-safe, more
attractive to visitors and less attractive to pests.
It is important to control grass and weeds within 100 feet of all greenhouses and service buildings. If
a combustible type glazing is used in the greenhouse sidewalls and gable ends, grass and weeds
should not be allowed to grow within 10 feet of the outside perimeter.
a. General Guidelines
• Make good housekeeping part of your daily routine.
• Keep work areas clean, dry and unobstructed.
• Never block exits or aisles.
• Check for excessive accumulations of dust & debris.
• Find a place for everything and keep it there.
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