Fire Prevention Inspection Report
Mission statement
According to the mandate given to my department, we are tasked with enforcement of life and safety codes in the fire prevention department. It is our duty to ensure that all private, public stakeholders and more important clients get the best fire prevention and emergency service. In a bid to pre-empt and protect this valuable public interest we conduct quarterly inspections of our clientele buildings including our organizational structures where we plan and execute our services. In the latest inspection of our operation building, we identified five safety codes violations issues. Precisely, one violation was related to electrical issues, two related to structural problems, and the remaining two related to ventilation issues. One, the noted electrical supply issue was that the incoming supply service is severely worn out ad need urgent repair. Two, the identified structural issue was that three out of the nine columns supporting the main operations floor have shown signs of fatigue and spalling of concrete. Moreover, the steel trusses supporting the roof are cracking and oxidized. Thirdly, the noted ventilation problem is the collection of the exhaust on the company’s machinery and apparatus that has led to workers experiencing carbon monoxide symptoms like conditions. Similarly, the central heating and air conditioning unit has worn electric wires, clogged filters, and broken seals. Given this inspection report, I believe the organization should act quickly to offer the required funds for the repair and maintenance of the affected areas. The operations floor plays a significant role in the operations of the organization where a majority of the duties are dispensed in that area. As a fire prevention and rescue group, we have the obligation to set a safety example by securing our building. The move is not only necessary for the employees’ safety, but also, the public relation purposes of the bureau in the long term.
Electrical Issues
According to the Healthy Working Lives (HWL), exposure to unprotected electricity cables is a common cause of workplace injuries and deaths. Ideally, any voltage above 50 for alternating current (AC), and 120 voltages for Direct Current (DC) are considered hazardous. The HWL report says that over 1000 reported workplace accidents are caused by burns and electricity shock. About 30% of these accidents are fatal and caused by contact with underground and overhead power cables (Rudy). Besides, the fatality associated with these power faults cause permanent physical injuries and leads to fire. The noted electrical issue in our bureaus is correlated to this danger, and the organization needs to replace the worn out cable as soon as possible. Apart from the employer’s obligation to provide safety to the employee, there are general health and Safety laws guiding employee protection in the workplace. The Bureau should have an electrical system that is set in a way to prevent employees from any form of danger as stated by legal laws. Concisely, the worn out equipment should be replaced with new ones that have better electricity insulation and safety capabilities.
Structural Issues
The identified structural issues are that the supporting basement columns are showing signs of fatigue, have visual cracks, and the oxidation of steel trusses. The repair of these columns will be done using opportunity maintenance, then after a fixed maintenance schedule will be adopted to reduce cost (Mishra). The exercise will involve re-plastering of the column with cement thick cement mortar and a waterproof element. The steel trusses will be repaired using cathode protection, chloride extraction, and realization. The repair process will follow the Civil Engineering column repair steps. First, the columns are unloaded and redistribution of the load between the existing loads. Secondly, supplemental reinforcing steel made of hairpin ties will be introduced to prevent the longitudinal bars from buckling. Finally, the corroded reinforcement steel, ties, and low-strength concrete will be removed, and the area will be concealed from access until the repaired area settles. According to the IAEE manual, pg. 1, maintenance of basement columns is significant in protecting a building from seismic forces and crumbling due to adverse weather and excess accumulation of moisture. However, the most important aspect of this repair procedure is to protect employees from any form of fatality as required by existing by-laws. Therefore, we request the management to offer the needed financial support for this process and advice staff members on the ongoing exercise.
Ventilation Issues
The noted ventilation problem is the accumulation of exhaust on the office apparatus which has contributed to employees inhaling carbon monoxide like air. The problem can be solved by refurbishing the ventilation system and rallying employees to open windows more regularly to allow fresh air to flow in their job area. However, in this scenario, the existing window space cannot be enlarged; the organization will improve the situation by replacing the existing air conditioners or adding extra air conditioners. According to Health and Safety Executive ventilation guide pg. 7 the suitable ventilation methodology for this issue is the general ventilation technique where offices are serviced with recycling conditioners. First, the operation floor is fitted with motorized dampers in a strategic position between the available ventilation spaces. Secondly, the two opposite ventilation systems are interconnected to allow control of exhaust and fresh air in the building. On the other hand, the worn electric wires will be replaced with new lines that have better resistant capabilities. In view of this analysis, we hope the management will offer timely help for the noted ventilation problems.
Works Cited
Health and Safety Executive. General Ventilation in the Workplace. Norwich: Crown Copyright, 2000. Web. 2 Apr. 2016. Guide for Employees.
HSE. “Electrical Safety.” Hse.gov.uk. Web. 2 Apr. 2016.
HWL. “Electricity | Workplace Electrical Safety, Risks & Hazards | Healthy Working Lives.” Healthyworkinglives.com. Web. 2 Apr. 2016.
IAEE. “Repair, Restoration and Strengthening Of Buildings.” IAEE. N.P. Web. 2 Apr. 2016.
Mishra, Gopal. “Methods of Concrete Column Repair.” The Constructor. N.P. 2014. Web. 2 Apr. 2016.
Rudy, John. “Fighting Warehouse fire before they Start”. Mhlnews.com. N.P. 2012. Web. 2 Apr. 2016.