Access, exit and protection are three terms with which the layman is not familiar. Therefore, proper clarification of these terms is essential. The term emergency access refers to the entrance to the building. Equipment in fire fighting facilities must be accessible. All areas must be clear to ensure that fires can be properly detected, that evacuation can begin, that the fire can be suppressed, and that the appropriate response can be given within a designated period of time.

Access may be a term that most are familiar with. It is pretty self explanatory. However, the term exit is not commonly used. Quite simply, this term means an unhindered continuous way of traveling from any area within a public building to an open public space. Exit may refer to travel routes including: doors, hallways, connecting rooms, ramps, balconies, hallways, courts, and lobbies.

Every place in a building must have an unobstructed means of egress that takes people outside. Here are some safety procedures and guidelines that can help building owners maintain proper access and emergency exit and protection.

Stairs, corridors and exits

All stairs, hallways, and exits must be clear of obstacles. A 44-inch wide clearance must be maintained at all times.

To promote safe evacuations using a ladder, hallway, or other exit, follow these guidelines:

All exits must be orderly, unobstructed, and clean.

Hazardous equipment and materials should not be placed in areas used for evacuation.

Stairs and hallways should not be used to store office equipment or to perform daily tasks. Hallways are not designed to be an extension of a laboratory or office.

Fires are not something that can be predicted. Most building owners simply believe that it will never happen to them. However, a fire can occur at any time for a variety of reasons. Cramming the area that is meant to keep people safe and help them evacuate the fire quickly and safely is rude and illegal in a sense.

Fire lanes

Fire lanes are designated areas that are designed to be used by emergency personnel only. These lanes allow emergency personnel to access a building that is in urgent need of assistance. It will also allow staff to gain access to fire protection systems than building employees. Although most fire lanes are clearly marked on campuses, not all fire lanes are easily identifiable. There is currently a program underway at Texas State University at San Marcos to mark all fire lanes appropriately.

The use of a fire lane may seem appropriate for a person trying to flee from a fire. But to ensure that emergency personnel can perform their work as needed, exit corridors and stairways should be the only paths pedestrians must take. These paths provide direct access to the exterior of the building, while allowing access to other paths along the infrastructure. Safety guidelines must be followed when using a corridor or path as a means of egress. No one is allowed to park in a fire lane, and they must keep fifteen feet away from fire equipment.

Fire doors

Fire doors act as barriers to limit the movement of smoke and the spread of fire. Unless they are kept open by automated systems, fire doors must be closed at all times. The doors must never be locked or tampered with. Items placed around the door must not prevent the door from opening and closing properly.

Fire doors can generally be found along hallways and stairways, along with other areas the fire code requires them to be in. Fire doors are rated to determine the amount of time they can withstand heat or a high pressure jet of water being fired at them. The door itself, along with its frame and locking mechanism, are generally rated between twenty minutes and three hours at a time.

It is important that fire doors remain closed at all times. If the door must be opened, for commercial reasons, then there must be a special latch installed to fulfill this purpose. The purpose of the lock is to connect the fire door to the alarm system that should already be installed inside the building. Connecting it this way will allow the door to close automatically if the alarm is triggered. Close occupants to a potentially dangerous situation.

Fire doors not only block an existing fire, but also prevent smoke from entering the area. One of the main reasons deaths occur during fires is due to smoke inhalation. Nothing should block the door, and approved latches should only be used if the door must remain open for one reason or another. Make sure there is nothing to prevent the door from closing in the event of an adverse event, such as a fire.

The mounting of a fire door must never be modified. Simple things can change the rating of the door. It can decrease the amount of time the door could withstand heat or any type of water pressure. A simple lock change or the installation of a window can make the difference between a high or low rating. That is why it is important to hire an ROP approved fire safety consultant.

Doors leading to offices and laboratories can act as a smoke barrier, regardless of their classification. Make sure these doors are kept closed whenever possible. Closed doors are the best way to practice entry, exit, and protection. Escaping a fire safely and eliminating smoke exposure can be as simple as closing a door.