PROTECTING THE FACTORY FROM FIRE
(Written Specially for Fire and Water Engineering.)
(Concluded from page 374.)
Inspection Forms and Bulletins.
In large plants with many employees it is well to keep a close check on the fire appliances. This inventory should be made each month and where appliances are missing the foreman of the department should be called on for an explanation. Any appliances found missing or defective should be replaced at once. A similar inventory of the fire brigade equipment is necessary in order to keep the service at one hundred per cent, efficiency.
Watchmen’s reports (Form No. 5) should be studied carefully by the superintendent of the plant for they will show how well orders are being obeyed and will indicate the housekeeping standard of the plant. Where there has been an actual fire, a copy of the watchman’s report on the fire should be attached to his daily report and another copy turned in to the fire chief.
FORM NO. 5.
Watchman’s Report.
(Name of Company)
Date,……;on duty,…p. m. to … a. m. Work of Cleaners: Waste baskets or cans not emptied,…..Dept; floor sweepings not removed,…… Dept.; refuse bins not emplied,. Dept.; doors found open in,…………. Dept.; windows found open in,……. Dept.; skylights open. Dept.; combustible material not removed from, ………… Dept.
Fire Appliances: Fire discovered in. Dept.; appliances missing, Dept.; appliances damaged,……………………….Dept.; appliances obstructed,…………………….Dept.; aisles obstructed, …… Dept.; fire escapes obstructed. Dept.; fire doors out of order, ………. Dept.; light at sprinkler valve out of order,……………………..Dept.; pressure on fire pump shown by gauge.
Power and Water : ower not shut off,………… Dept.; lights left running in,_. Dept.; water left running in, . Dept.
General: Matches, cigars and cigarette stumps in. Dept.; . Dept, operating until a. m., . p. m.; employees found in …………… Dept, with (out) permission; names,…,………………Dept.; explanation given, ……; clothing not in lockers. Dept.; conditions or occurrences during tour which should be reported,…………………;cause of delay in registering at station No ……. (Signed), ………….., Watchman. Watchman’s report should be turned in each day before watchman leaves factory.
The bulletins, samples of which are given, should be printed in red and black and should be distributed generously about the plant. They should be posted in locker rooms, at foremen’s desks and on stair landings particularly.
This bulletin should be posted in boiler rooms and other conspicuous places in the factory.
To All Employes:
If the Plant Burns Your Job Is Gone.
To protect this factory from destruction by fire it is necessary that everything possible be done by every individual to prevent fires starting. To this end these rules have been made. Violations may be followed by instant dismissal.
Rules.
- Smoking is absolutely forbidden (except in room provided for that purpose).
- Carrying or using other than safety matches is forbidden.
- Burned matches must be deposited in metal receptacles provided for that purpose.
- Oily waste cans are provided for use. Waste material must be placed in them.
- Wet clothing must not be placed on radiators or boilers or hung on wires to dry.
- The use of paper lamp shades is forbid; den. Paper must not be attached to lamps in any way.
- Fire appliances must not be moved or used except for the purpose for which they are intended.
- Locker must be kept clean and free from paper or waste material of any kind.
- Space around waste bins must be kept clean. Bins must be kept clean when not in use.
- Floors must be kept clear of waste, refuse and litter of all kinds.
What a Fire Means.
- Loss of difference between damage and insurance.
- Loss of money for work done on material in course of manufacture.
- Loss of orders already taken to competitors through inability to deliver the goods.
- Loss of good will from same cause.
- Loss of service. customers who are satisfied with
- Loss of records, lists, accounts, trade, etc.
- Disruption of organization built up by years of work
- Loss of profits during period of rebuilding.
- Increased selling cost to regain lost trade.
Every Fire Due to Carelessness Is a Crime.Every year of “efficient” Americans burn up $250,000,000 wealth. Every second—every tick of a watch—$8 goes up in flames. Is that efficiency?
To prevent fire one must be prepared. “All fires are small fires first.” Then, when they are small, all fires may be easily put out. In the first vital few minutes one little extinguisher can save more property than a whole fire department can save later, when lurid tongues are licking the entire structure. Every fire due to carelessness is a crime, and most fires are crimes; 90 per cent, are preventable, in the last analysis.
Property destroyed by fire is wealth irrevocably lost. Insurance will repay you for your burned property, but no insurance can recall your scattered employees. No insurance —rent—tenant—good can restore lost business—customers—orders will. No insurance on on earth can possibly pay for the 3,000 lives sacrificed every year on the fierv altar.
Conclusion.
Every waste basket—rubbish bin—oily rag— every furnace—flue—coal bin; every match— all hold potential destruction. At any moment carelessness may rouse the sleeping enemy. If, through neglect to take proper precautions or to recommend that they be taken, the property is swept away, who will be to blame? In protecting the property you are protecting yourself.
Act now, before fire comes.
(The End)
