children? Depending on the type of business being conducted and the tolerance for disruption, are occupants more or less likely to evacuate when the alarm sounds? The fire safety plan procedures need to reflect the diversity of the building’s occu- pants and their specific circumstances.


• Know your building. How does the fire alarm function? Which entrance will fire fighters use for response, and will they have access to the keys and equipment they need?


When plans are required by a fire code, they must at least be


reviewed, if not approved, by the local authority having juris- diction, usually the fire department. Those responsible for the fire safety plan should think of the


plan as a “living” document; the plan should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it remains relevant and reflective of the conditions in the building and the needs of the occupants. Fire prevention should be as much a goal of building own-


ers as emergency response. The act of planning can bring about a greater awareness on the part of supervisory staff and build- ing occupants of just what the risks are and how simple they can be to mitigate.


CC


Laura Muirhead manages the Life Safety Services Group at Leber Rubes (www.leberrubes.com), a consulting firm special- izing in the provision of fire protection engineering services.


www.canadacampsmag.com


Spring 2010 Canada Camps 27


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32