Fire Prevention

7/7/2016 (Permalink)

Keeping your workplace clean and uncluttered is vital for fire prevention whether you work in an office cubicle or a large and sophisticated laboratory. A small investment in good housekeeping measures can save lives and protect vital university resources. Use cleaning solutions that don’t contain flammable ingredients. Consult with your EH&S group if you are unsure about the safety of your cleaning materials. Don’t store rags or other objects containing flammable materials in labs and work shop areas. Dispose of them safely as soon as you are through using them. Don’t use your workplace as a storage area. Store papers, packing materials, supplies, equipment, etc. in designated storage areas or dispose of them if they are not needed. Large amounts of storage can contribute to starting a fire, hide fire hazards, and impede evacuation during an emergency. Keep your floors and work surfaces clean and clear of clutter. Be sure to clean behind file cabinets, furniture and large equipment where dust and other fire fuel can collect. Keep the area under your desk or bench space clear. Not only does accumulated clutter present a fire danger, a crowded space cannot serve as a shelter area in the event of earthquake.