FireNet Community

FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Operational => Topic started by: Tom Sutton on August 29, 2006, 09:42:39 AM

Title: Displaying warning signs in the event of a fire.
Post by: Tom Sutton on August 29, 2006, 09:42:39 AM

I have been out the job for 10years plus and need some up to date information about displaying warning signs in the event of a fire. In the dim and distant past I remember something about companies asked to display such signs for the benefit of responding crews. I received the following query and can anybody bring me up to date.

Quote

Could you please advice as to whether or not we need to display warnings that toxic gases / vapours will be released in the event of a fire?
The scenario is as follows;
We use an electromagnetic test room that is lined with an electromagnetic absorbent material called ECCOSORB AN759. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) section 5.3 carries the following information;

          Special exposure hazards:
      -   May burn
      -   On heating: release of toxic/combustible gases/vapours (hydrogen cyanide, acrolein)
      -   On burning: release of toxic and corrosive gases/vapours (nitrous vapours, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide - carbon dioxide)

We have a policy of evacuating the site in the event of a fire and as such our staff should not be subjected to toxic fumes but fire-fighters would be. That said, it is my understanding that fire-fighters would be using breathing apparatus when entering the building to tackle a fire as a matter of course therefore signage would be irrelevant.
I would very much appreciate your advice on this matter.

Thanking you in anticipation