Dr. Rüştü Uçan, an OHS Expert, explaining how to take precautions against fire, stated that in buildings of 4 stories or higher, fire extinguishers should be placed every 25 meters, and these extinguishers should be hung on the wall 30-40 cm above the ground.
Uçan, drawing attention to many critical details from fire extinguishers to escape routes, said, “Every building must have at least two fire escapes. Floor plans should be located on each floor. This plan should show how people on each floor will be evacuated and which routes they will use to escape.”
Dr. Uçan stated that fire safety measures are mandatory in buildings of 4 stories and above, adding, “It is essential that all these systems work flawlessly in the event of a fire.”
Dr. Rüştü Uçan, Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, explained how to take precautions against fire.
If the corridor length exceeds 25 meters, 2 or 3 extinguishers can be placed
Pointing out how precautions should be taken against fire in a building, Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “First, let's look at an example of fire precautions to be taken in buildings of 4 stories or higher. Firstly, fire extinguishers must be present in buildings. Fire extinguishers should be placed every 25 meters. These extinguishers should be hung on the wall 30-40 cm above the ground and should be checked at regular intervals. If the corridor length exceeds 25 meters, 2 or 3 extinguishers can be placed. This situation may vary depending on the size and structure of the building.”
Every building must have at least two fire escapes
Uçan, emphasizing the importance of fire escapes, said, “Every building must have at least two fire escapes. This number may increase depending on the size of the building; for example, some buildings may have three fire escapes. Floor plans should be located on each floor. This plan should show how people on each floor will be evacuated and which routes they will use to escape. When we go to a building, hotel, or hospital, we must examine such information. This information is crucial for us to know how to act in the event of a fire.”
Emergency button and fire cabinet must be present!
Dr. Rüştü Uçan, also drawing attention to the emergency button, continued as follows:
“This button should be broken to give a warning that a fire has started. This warning should be audible loudly, thus enabling quick action. One of the biggest problems in Turkey is the inability to read such instructions during an incident, especially in the dark. There should be an emergency exit light, and as soon as the power is cut, it should be powered by systems such as batteries, generators, accumulators… to show the exit direction. Fire cabinets must be present in buildings. Inside the fire cabinet, there should usually be a hose that provides access to an area 25 meters long.”
No items should be placed in areas where fire escapes are located
Emphasizing the importance of fire escape doors not being locked, Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “Fire escapes can be made of steel on the outside of the building or located inside. These stairs are very important for the evacuation of people in emergencies. However, unfortunately, items are placed in the areas where fire escapes are located in apartment buildings. This should absolutely not be done. These areas, where the fire plan is implemented, must be left completely clear, as these items can create serious obstacles during an escape. Additionally, on each floor, there should be a sign indicating which floor it is.”
Sprinkler systems and smoke detectors are critical for early intervention!
Dr. Rüştü Uçan noted that sprinkler systems might not be necessary in normal apartments, but they should be present in buildings where many people are located, stating, “These systems automatically activate when an alarm is triggered or smoke is detected during a fire. Their internal glass safety mechanism breaks, and they spray water to suppress the fire. This prevents the spread of the fire. These systems are very important for fire safety. There should also be smoke detectors. These detectors sound an alarm as soon as they detect smoke, and the system activates. This also plays a critical role for early intervention in the event of a fire.”
Regular inspection and maintenance are essential!
Dr. Rüştü Uçan also noted that the fire pump should be tested monthly and undergo comprehensive maintenance once a year, smoke and heat sensors in fire detection systems should be checked every 6 months and calibrated if necessary, and the fire alarm panel should be checked monthly to report that the system is operational. He emphasized the importance of sprinkler systems being inspected and tested by expert teams once a year, and escape routes and stairs being checked weekly to ensure doors are open and free of obstructions.
Generator should activate, and fire pumps should start immediately!
Uçan, emphasizing the critical role of fire pumps in fire intervention, said, “In case of fire suppression and power outage, the generator quickly activates. The pump sprays water from the sprinklers to the fire area. The system should not fail to operate due to a power outage. There should be diesel-fueled systems backing up the electric generator. In fact, during a fire, power is automatically cut according to safety protocols. As soon as the power is cut, the generator activates, and the fire pumps start operating immediately. Large buildings have very large water tanks. There is a special area in these tanks for use in case of fire. Even if the water in the tanks runs out completely, the amount of water specifically allocated for fire compensates for this situation. This systems ensure the continuous use of water. When the sprinkler system starts working, it sprays water to suppress the fire. Furthermore, when fire brigades arrive, these systems also provide support to them.”
Drills are important!
Dr. Uçan also stated that drills at regular intervals are very important and expressed the system audit periods as follows:
Sprinkler Systems:
Sprinkler systems should be checked and tested by expert teams once a year.
Fire Pump Group:
Fire pumps should be tested monthly and undergo comprehensive maintenance once a year.
Fire Detection System:
Smoke and heat sensors should be checked every 6 months and calibrated if necessary. The fire alarm panel should be checked monthly, and the operational status of the system should be reported.
Escape Routes and Stairs:
They should be inspected weekly, ensuring that doors are open and free of obstructions.