NTT Blog

What is Life Safety Code: Is it Important for Industrial Employees?

The Life Safety Code is the most popularly utilized source for solution to protect individuals based on building construction as well as occupancy features that reduces the effects of fire and related hazards. For every activity or process, safety standards are the most important element for those implementing the plans to consider. Life safety involves all the systems and elements of a building that are engineered to evacuate and protect the building occupants during an emergency.

The Life Safety Code, also known as NFPA 101, currently is being utilized in all U.S States, and its guidelines have numerous importance. Matter of fact, it has been adopted state wise within the 43 states. The current version of the standard was updated and released in 2018; it addresses the need to consider in building design, operation, and construction as well as maintenance guidelines. This is required for minimizing the danger to life brought on by fire, heat, smoke, and toxic fumes.

Importance of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code

The Life Safety Code is important since it outlines the protective systems, operating features, building services, maintenance activities, as well as other provisional safeguards that meet the need to provide the necessary protection for building occupants from fire.

It can as well be utilized for non-fire emergencies, as it addresses hazardous materials, emergency communications, injury from falls, and means of egress that are affectual in ensuring safety under numerous circumstances.

Is the NFPA 101 Relevant to My Company’s Building?

The Life Safety Code does not simply list the guidelines for one or two kinds of buildings. It digs deep to cater all the structures, and has the guidance on elements like fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, lighting for emergencies as well as protecting from unique and special hazards. Additionally, the code is the only existing document in the fire safety field that outlines the fire safety regulation for existing and new buildings, making it very useful in a variety of renovations as well as construction purposes.

When it comes to life safety, the code is regularly updated due to the dynamic advancement in safety protocol and technologies, as well as new scenarios that present themselves as companies and business objective changes. It ensures that you implement the greatest and latest life safety measures in a straightforward and standard way of execution in any of new projects.

Do I Need to Train my Employees in the Life Safety Code?

Training your employees on emergencies directly influence the outcome of an emergency situation. Facilities with well-trained employees and well-developed preparedness plans are less likely to incur minimal structural damage as well as fewer or no employee injuries.

As an employer, you could be obligated to provide NFPA 101 training to your employees. Formal education is the best way to ensure your entire staff, whether they’re working on the front lines or far away from the danger, are trained to properly work around to avoid or mitigate hazards.

The Value of Formal Training

The training that is required should be done in a classroom as well as on-the-job training, to help reinforce it. The type and extent of training is normally regulated by the training professional. The training process is tailored to include hazard recognition, risk assessment and control as well as emergency response.

Formal training will ensure that all your employees understand the general procedures to be adhered to and should be documented in a procedural manner. For instance, the equipment they should shut down or any suppression efforts needed as well as the escape route to be followed by each specific facility location.

Sometimes contingent to the operation involved, some of your employee may have to remain to shut some of the equipment down before evacuating the building. Proper training helps layout the expectation for you and your employees who remain on site after the alarm sounds. They will learn the necessary procedures of escalating the matter like calling 911 or local fire department.

Is Formal Training in the Life Safety Code Right For Me?

While the NFPA 101 is a meticulously orchestrated and exclusive guide, it might present challenges to you and your employees when interpreting them. That’s why NTT Training is dedicated in providing an elaborate review and training on the requirements that influence the safety of your people and protect your property and equipment. The NFPA 101- Life Safety Code training addresses all aspects of safety you need to know throughout the life cycle of a building- for both your new or existing projects. Contact us today to find out more.