Thursday, October 1, 2015

OSHA Revises Fire Service Publication to Help Responders Stay Safe


©iStockphoto.com/Jani Bryson
To help protect the safety of firefighters and other emergency responders, OSHA has updated its manual “Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems.” The resource is meant to help emergency responders during fires and other incidents such as HazMat releases, nonfire rescues, terrorist attacks and emergency medical care. The revised version discusses how fire personnel can resolve an incident sooner, while doing so in a safe manner, if the building’s design is tailored to meet their needs during the emergency. In addition, the manual includes: new chapters on water supply and integrating design elements to protect fire personnel during a building’s construction, occupancy and demolition; new sections on energy conservation, emergency power, and room and floor numbering; and additional photos to illustrate concepts.