Refresh: What emergency management equipment should be kept onsite?
Refresh your learning with the 101 on how to kit out your site appropriately
Some of the most frequent questions we get asked include:
“But do I really need this piece of equipment?”
“How many fire extinguishers do I need at my facility?”
“What type of fire extinguishers do I need?”
“What size of fire extinguisher do I need?”
“Do I need other equipment as well?”
“Where should the fire extinguishers and emergency response equipment be located?”
The first one is the easiest to answer. The answer is “Yes”.
Every facility, whether it’s an office block, construction site, apartment block, a school or the local swimming pool, must have appropriate emergency response equipment. Every facility must also have people who know where that equipment is and are trained to use it.
Emergency response equipment can be anything used to assist and protect people, property or the environment in an emergency. It usually includes a combination of the following items:
Fire extinguishers
Fire hose reels
Fire blankets
Sprinkler systems
Smoke alarms
Automated fire doors
Thermal detectors
Fire control systems
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
First Aid Kits
The exact type(s) of equipment you will require at your facility depends on the process and activity that occurs there and the risk level associated with that process and activity. A risk assessment conducted by an experienced professional, like one of our expert team members, is the best way to match your facility’s risk profile to the most appropriate equipment.
Fire extinguishers normally form a part of a facility’s emergency response equipment requirements, so it is important to understand that there are many different types of extinguishers available. Your risk assessment will advise which is best for you. Extinguishers must be installed in accordance with Australian Standard 2444, which ensures they are easily identifiable and operable in an emergency.
Once you have successfully obtained the appropriate emergency equipment and had them installed in your facility, you will then need to ensure adequate numbers of people are trained to operate it. We have seen many occasions where people within a facility have attempted to respond to an emergency by operating equipment without training. This can often result in extensive property damage, and in the worst cases, an injury to well-meaning staff. Every staff member should know that if they have not been trained in operating equipment, or do not feel safe, they should immediately move to safety and call 000.
This goes beyond what is required for most facilities, but we also strongly recommend having an AED (a defibrillator) located in every facility. AED’s are relatively inexpensive equipment, but they are critical if you, your family member or a workmate has a heart attack - a situation where seconds count.
So what’s the summary when it comes to ensuring your facility has the right equipment:
Conduct a risk assessment with a professional to determine what’s required for your facility and operations;
Ensure the equipment is installed to the correct Australian Standard; and
Train your team on where the equipment is and how to use it.
Training on using emergency equipment is an important part of your emergency preparedness.
Reach out today to speak to our team about your emergency equipment or training requirements.