Fires can start in any workplace, from a quiet office to a busy construction site. A clear fire prevention plan, well-maintained equipment, and employees who know what to do when an alarm sounds are what keep a small incident from becoming a disaster.
Fire preparedness is the employer's responsibility, and OSHA sets specific requirements for exit routes, emergency planning, and fire extinguishers. Below are the OSHA rules behind workplace fire safety, eight tips every workplace should follow, and guidance for offices, construction sites, and manufacturing and warehouse facilities.
What OSHA Requires for Workplace Fire Safety
Several OSHA general industry standards work together to set the baseline for fire safety:
- Exit routes (29 CFR 1910.36–1910.37). Exit routes must be kept free of obstructions, exit doors must open from the inside without keys or special knowledge, and exits must be clearly marked with visible, illuminated "EXIT" signs.
- Emergency action plans (29 CFR 1910.38). When an OSHA standard requires one, the plan must cover how to report a fire, evacuation procedures and routes, procedures for employees who stay behind to operate critical operations, how to account for everyone after evacuation, and who to contact for more information. It must be in writing if you have more than 10 employees; employers with 10 or fewer may communicate it orally.
- Fire prevention plans (29 CFR 1910.39). The plan must list major fire hazards and their proper handling and storage, potential ignition sources and how to control them, the fire protection equipment for each hazard, procedures for controlling flammable waste, maintenance of heat-producing equipment, and the people responsible for maintaining equipment and controlling fuel hazards. The same written-plan threshold of more than 10 employees applies.
- Portable fire extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157). Extinguishers must be suited to the class of fire hazard, mounted and readily accessible, visually inspected monthly, and given an annual maintenance check. If employees are expected to use extinguishers, they must be trained at hire and at least annually. An employer whose plans call for total evacuation and do not permit employees to fight fires can be exempt from most extinguisher requirements.
- Flammable liquids (29 CFR 1910.106). This standard sets container, cabinet, and storage-room requirements for flammable liquids.
Construction sites follow 29 CFR 1926 Subpart F (Fire Protection and Prevention). Other standards apply to specific hazards, such as welding and cutting (1910 Subpart Q) and electrical systems (1910 Subpart S). Many states run OSHA-approved State Plans that may add requirements, and local fire codes also apply.
8 Fire Safety Tips Every Workplace Should Follow
There's more to workplace fire safety than stocking up on fire extinguishers. These tips help reduce fire risks and make sure everyone is on the same page.
Tip #1: Train every employee on fire safety
All employees should receive fire safety training, even if they never work near open flames or heating elements. Everyone needs to know how to recognize fire hazards, how to report a fire, where the exits and assembly points are, and whether they are expected to use an extinguisher or evacuate. Employees who are expected to use extinguishers must receive hands-on extinguisher training at hire and at least annually.
NSC's Fire Safety Training program kit includes streaming access (30 days or 1 year), a PowerPoint presentation, a quiz, and an attendance log, and is available in English and Spanish. Give each employee a take-home reference with Fire Safety Employee Training Booklets.
Tip #2: Identify your workplace fire hazards
You don't need to work in a refinery to be at risk of fire. Common workplace fire hazards include electrical equipment, cooking appliances, heaters, flammable liquids, combustible waste, hot work such as welding, and smoking. Walk through every area of your facility, list the hazards you find, and record them in your fire prevention plan.
Share what you find with employees and keep common hazards top of mind with reminders like the Faulty Wire Can Start a Fire Safety Poster.
Tip #3: Maintain your fire protection equipment
Smoke alarms, sprinkler and suppression systems, fire alarms, and fire extinguishers only protect people if they work. Visually inspect portable extinguishers monthly, have them serviced annually, and test and maintain alarm and sprinkler systems on the schedule your fire code requires. Keep electrical panels accessible so power can be shut off in an emergency, and document every inspection.
Tip #4: Be smart with electrical cords and equipment
Overloaded circuits and damaged cords are leading causes of workplace fires. Plug high-draw equipment, such as space heaters and large printers, directly into a wall outlet rather than a power strip or extension cord. Don't chain power strips together, and don't use extension cords as a substitute for permanent wiring. Watch for frayed cords, warm or discolored outlets, flickering equipment, and tripping breakers, and take damaged equipment out of service right away.
Tip #5: Store and dispose of flammable materials properly
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and the Safety Data Sheet for every flammable material on site, and check which materials cannot be stored near each other. Store flammable liquids in approved containers and flammable storage cabinets as required by 29 CFR 1910.106, away from ignition sources. Dispose of rags soaked in solvents or oils in covered metal containers, and remove combustible waste regularly.
Tip #6: Avoid clutter
Clutter fuels fires and can block escape. Keep paper, cardboard, and packaging away from outlets, heaters, and other heat sources. Never store materials in exit routes or in front of exit doors, extinguishers, electrical panels, or sprinkler heads. Good housekeeping protocols keep clutter from building up.
Tip #7: Put a hazard reporting system in place
Employees are often the first to notice a damaged cord, a blocked exit, or a missing extinguisher. Make it clear who they should report fire hazards to and how, and follow up quickly so employees see that reports lead to action. Pair your reporting system with training so employees know what hazards look like.
Tip #8: Design, communicate, and practice your evacuation plan
Work out the specifics of your evacuation plan before a fire, not during one. Mark all exits, keep exit routes clear at all times, and make sure exit signs stay lit and visible. Designate assembly points outside the building and a method for accounting for every employee. Review the plan with each employee when it is developed, when the employee is first assigned, and whenever their responsibilities or the plan change, then hold drills so the routes become second nature. The Emergency Escape Safety Poster is a useful reminder near exits and break areas.
Office Fire Safety
Offices are often thought of as low-risk, but they are full of electronics, power cords, and kitchen appliances that can start a fire. In your office, make a plan to regularly confirm that:
- Computers, copiers, shredders, and other electronics have undamaged cords and plugs, and damaged equipment is removed from service and replaced.
- Power strips and outlets are in good condition and not overloaded.
- Space heaters and other high-draw equipment are plugged directly into a wall outlet and kept away from paper and fabric.
- Paper, boxes, and other combustibles are kept away from outlets, cords, and heat sources.
- Break room appliances are cleaned regularly and unplugged when not in use, and paper towels and dish rags are kept away from toasters, microwaves, and coffee makers.
- Hallways, aisles, and exit routes stay free of storage and clutter.
- Smoke alarms, sprinklers, and extinguishers are inspected and maintained, and the results are documented.
Construction Site Fire Safety
Construction sites combine flammable materials, temporary electrical wiring, welding and cutting, and portable heaters, often in partially enclosed structures. Under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart F, fire protection must be in place throughout every phase of construction, and the travel distance to a portable extinguisher must not exceed 100 feet. Your site fire prevention protocols should include:
- Good housekeeping that keeps flammable materials away from ignition sources.
- Disposal of rags soaked in flammable liquids in proper covered metal containers.
- Storage of building materials so they don't block sprinklers, suppression systems, exits, or access for firefighters.
- Labeled storage of flammable liquids, paints, and gases away from ignition sources.
- Temporary and permanent wiring kept in good condition, without fraying or cracking, and circuits that aren't overloaded.
- Portable heaters kept away from combustibles and tarps, secured against tipping, and properly vented.
- Hot work permits and fire watches for welding and cutting where required.
- Smoking restricted to designated areas, with proper receptacles, and prohibited near flammable materials.
Fire Prevention in Manufacturing and Warehouses
Fire prevention in manufacturing and warehouse facilities depends heavily on what you make or store; a bakery has different concerns than a chemical plant. Start by evaluating your specific processes and materials. If you store or use significant quantities of flammable or hazardous chemicals, coordinate with your local fire department as you develop your plan.
Electrical faults, overheated equipment, hot work, chemical reactions, and arson are common causes of fires in these facilities. Your fire prevention plan should include:
- Facility security procedures that help prevent intentional fires.
- Approved containers and storage for flammable materials, away from ignition sources.
- Regular checks of wiring, circuit breakers, and transformers for overloads and damage.
- Maintenance of heat-producing equipment, such as engines, ovens, and dryers.
- Working smoke detectors, sprinklers, and suppression systems.
- Fire extinguishers that are visible, accessible, and rated for each area's hazards, such as Class B for flammable liquids and Class C for energized electrical equipment.
- Illuminated, visible exit signs and emergency lighting.
- Trash and combustible waste removed regularly and never stored in exit routes.
Building Your Workplace Fire Safety Plan
Your emergency action and fire prevention plans should be living documents. Review them whenever your workspace, processes, materials, or staffing change, and coordinate with local fire officials. A practical plan is detailed enough to cover what matters in an emergency yet simple enough that employees can recall it under stress. Most plans include:
- Posted evacuation maps showing exit routes and assembly points for each area.
- Locations of fire extinguishers, alarm pull stations, first aid kits, and utility shutoffs.
- The procedure for reporting a fire and the person or team responsible for each role.
- Procedures for accounting for all employees after evacuation.
- The schedule for fire drills and for training and refresher training.
- Clear guidance on when employees may use an extinguisher and when they must evacuate.
For broader emergency planning, NSC's Emergency Planning Safety Training program covers evacuation and emergency response procedures.
Keep Fire Safety Visible
Training and drills are most effective when reinforced every day through supervision and visual reminders. Posters like Know the PASS System keep extinguisher steps (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) in front of employees where extinguishers are mounted.
For more on fire readiness, see our guides to mastering fire extinguisher use, fire safety and extinguisher posters, and emergency evacuation posters and signage.
Ready to train your team? NSC's Fire Safety Training program is available in English and Spanish as streaming (30 days or 1 year), DVD, USB, or an MP4 license.