Publikacje

A building on fire

Fire protection - what it is and what regulations define it

The principles of fire protection (PPOŻ) are a set of necessary guidelines in the event of a fire outbreak in the workplace. It consists of the inability to fight a fire as well as a properly conducted evacuation. Knowledge of this knowledge avoids damage to health or even loss of life. It is therefore crucial to be trained in this area. In every workplace, there should be people responsible for keeping a cool head and leading a group of people responsibly at the time of a fire emergency. This avoids a possible tragedy, as fire is a very unpredictable and dangerous element. We provide information on what to do in an emergency and descriptions of fire safety training.  

Fire extinguisher in use

Basic regulations 

As we spend most of our working time inside buildings, we must ensure that they comply with all current fire safety standards. The risk of threat to life, health, damage to property or infrastructure should be limited as much as possible. In accordance with the provisions of the European Parliament and the EU Council, buildings should be designed so that in the event of a fire: 

  • the structure has retained its load capacity, 
  • limit the spread of fire to neighboring buildings, 
  • take care of the safety of professional rescuers, 
  • minimize the spread of fire inside the building, 
  • allow the occupants to leave the building as efficiently as possible 

According to building law, a building must be constructed in accordance with all fire safety guidelines, based on the professional technical training of engineers. In terms of technical conditions, there are specific location requirements that buildings must meet. One chapter of the Building Act is devoted entirely to fire protection. It contains directives such as: 

  • separation of separate fire zones, 
  • classifying them in terms of resistance to fire, 
  • creating fire resistance classes for individual parts of the building, 
  • determining the length of evacuation routes. 

The compliance of these regulations with the actual state is checked by the relevant services when the building is put into use. If all the conditions are not met, it means that the building is not properly secured and poses a threat, which in turn may lead to prohibition of its use by people.  

The most important piece of legislation 

A building on fire

The Fire Protection Act UOP is a special regulation containing relevant fire safety regulations. Its provisions protect spheres such as: 

  • health, 
  • life, 
  • property, 
  • environment. 

Actions aimed at reducing the risk and reducing the risk of various disasters include: 

  • preventing fires or natural disasters and their transmission, 
  • guarantee of the delivery of all necessary things to fight a fire or other disaster, 
  • carry out all necessary relief and rescue operations. 

In addition, the UOP designates appropriate services which, in the face of a threat, must arrive at the scene and fight the danger. These are: 

  • units of the State Fire Service, 
  • Military Fire Protection, 
  • Volunteer Fire Department, 
  • professional firefighters of the municipality and the district. 

Fire safety training 

Qualified and experienced instructors with the appropriate teaching equipment are needed to conduct fire safety courses. Training Such training should be given to every new employee, as different positions have different fire safety rules, as does occupational health and safety. Fire safety training consists of a theoretical and practical part. Topics to be learnt by the participants of such training are: 

  • knowing what risk is waiting for a given position, 
  • getting acquainted with the prevailing fire protection rules in a given facility, 
  • getting to know the places where you should look for fire fighting tools, 
  • instructions for providing first aid to the injured, 
  • evacuating people from fire-endangered places, 
  • learning to use the necessary rescue equipment. 
Firefighting team on rescue operation

The course programme depends on the client requesting such training. A well-adapted programme leads to better results after the training. These are usually enriched by various presentations or tasks that engage the participants. Often, after the training, the participant receives a certificate of participation. The training is based on the latest legal regulations, engaging didactic methods and supervised by trainers experienced in the subject. Usually, the rooms in which the training takes place are equipped with the latest equipment, which is important for the adequate transfer of the necessary knowledge. The prices to be paid for them are usually closely linked to the number of participants in the group. Often, larger training groups receive attractive discounts. 

Employer Duty 

The Fire Protection Act of 24 August 1991 speaks of the obligation to provide fire training to its employees. In addition, Article 4 of this law states that every building owner has the responsibility to: 

  • take into account all technical or installation requirements and act according to their assumptions, 
  • ensure that appropriate fire-fighting equipment is available in the building or the nearest area, 
  • take care of the maintenance and possible repair of fire-fighting equipment, 
  • guarantee safe working hours for people in the building and create conditions for possible evacuation, 
  • familiarize people working in the building with all fire safety rules, 
  • plan the sequence of behaviour at the outbreak of a fire or similar emergency. 

Related Articles:

RECORDS: +48 22 208 38 38