Fire Safety in the Dental Practice
by Caitlin Denison, BS, RDH
In the early morning hours of March 26, 2024 firefighters were called out to a dental office in Chattanooga, Tennessee where flames were seen coming through the roof. The building was severely damaged, as was the equipment inside. Luckily, due to the early hour of the fire, no employees or patients were harmed.
Terrifying incidents like this highlight basic safety procedures every office should have in place in case a fire was to occur during operating hours. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your workplace and employees are prepared for an event like this.
Every workplace should have an emergency action plan that details basic procedures for an emergency. If your workplace has 10 or fewer employees, this plan can be communicated orally, otherwise, it needs to be written down.
A key part of the emergency action plan is a description of emergency evacuation routes. These routes should also be posted in your facility. The exits of your facility must be clearly marked with illuminated signs. Most facilities need at least two exits, although, there are some exceptions to this rule (see 29 CFR 1910.36(b)(3)).
Depending on the location of your practice, you may want to keep your exit doors locked to protect from unauthorized entry. This is allowable, so long as employees can still open the door from the inside “without keys, tools, or special knowledge.” Devices such as panic bars that lock only from the outside are permitted.
Many practices choose to have portable fire extinguishers in case of a small, incipient fire. If your office has fire extinguishers make sure that staff are trained on their use, as well as the hazards associated with fighting a fire. This training must be provided upon initial employment and at least annually. Fire extinguishers should be visually inspected monthly, and professionally maintained annually.
A fire can be a devastating event for a business, and we want you to be prepared to protect your most important asset, your employees and patients.
For more information on your OSHA responsibilities when it comes to fire protection, see the standards below:
- Portable fire extinguishers: 1910.147
- Exit Routes and Emergency Planning: 1910.38
- Fire Prevention Plans: 1910.39
References:
Zink, A. (2024, March 27). Dental office destroyed; police make arrest as investigation continues into cause of fire. The Republic. https://www.therepublic.com/2024/03/27/dental-office-destroyed-police-make-arrest-as-investigation-continues-into-cause-of-fire/
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Fire safety standards. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.osha.gov/fire-safety/standards