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Standard Checklist for Conducting Workplace Fire Risk Audit in Kenya

Article · October 2018

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Benard Lango
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
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Author Reference
Lango, B. (2018). A Standard Checklist for Conducting Workplace Fire Risk Audit in Kenya. Benard Lango
Disaster Management Projects Series: Nairobi, Kenya. October 30, 2018.
Fire risk audit can be a daunting task especially for the newbies in the fire industry in Kenya that is equally
infiltrated by non-experts. This document provides a standard checklist that can be adapted by any fire
risk auditor intending to practice in Kenya. The checklist has been developed based on the Fire (Risks
Regulations) Rules Legal Notice No. 59 of 2007.

FIRE RISK AUDIT CHECKLIST

No. Theme Yes No N/A Comment
INSTALLATION OF HIGHLY FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES
Is the large installation for highly flammable substances
1.
located in a designated area?
Construction Material
Is the workroom where flammable substances are used,
2. manufactured or manipulated constructed using a fire-
resistant material?
Is the fire-resistant material made of concrete block, brick
3.
work or stone of not less than 115mm thickness?
Is the fire-resistant material made of concrete slab of not less
4.
than 76mm thickness?
Is the fire-resistant material made of iron or steel less than 16
5.
imperial standard gauge?
Is the fire-resistant material made of glass of not less than
6. 64mm thickness in the center of which a wire mesh is
embedded?
Is the fire-resistant material made of teak or oak wood for
7.
doors of not less than 45mm thickness?
Storage of Flammable Substances
Are highly flammable substances stored in suitable fixed
8.
storage tanks in safe positions?
Are highly flammable substances stored in suitable closed
9. vessels and kept in safe positions in open air and protected
against direct sunlight?
 FIRE RISK AUDIT CHECKLIST
No. Theme Yes No N/A Comment
Are highly flammable substances not exceeding 50litres stored
10. in suitable closed vessels and kept in suitably placed
cupboards or bins which are fire-resistant structures?
Does the store situation endanger the means of escape from
11.
the workplace or any path in cases of fire emergencies?
Does the occupier maintain a gap of at least 80cm from the
12. nearest fixed wall, ceiling or roof to a storeroom where highly
flammable substances are stored?
Has the occupier identified and kept in separate storeroom or
13. compartments highly flammable substances capable of
reacting and producing heat when mixed?
Has the occupier ensured that highly flammable substances
14. that are self-combustible are kept in separate stores away
from other substances or materials?
Has the occupier ensured that every storage location is clearly
15. and bold marked “Highly Flammable” in English or Kiswahili
with an appropriate indication of flammability?
Has the occupier ensured that every container holding the
highly flammable substance is labeled with the contents of the
16.
container and the type of fire extinguisher to be used in the
event of fire?
Has the occupier ensured the quantity of any highly flammable
substances present at any one time in a workplace is
17.
reasonably small and have regard to processes and
operations?
Has the workplace ensured that where highly flammable
substances are to be conveyed within the workplace, this is
18.
done through a totally enclosed system incorporating
pipelines and pumps or in vessels designed to avoid spillage?
Has the workplace put in place steps to contain spillage of
19.
flammable substances in case this occur?
VENTILATION
 FIRE RISK AUDIT CHECKLIST
No. Theme Yes No N/A Comment
Has the occupier provided in every workroom free flow of
20.
fresh air?
In enclosed rooms, has the occupier provided exhaust
21.
ventilation system or mechanical ventilation facilities?
Has the occupier ensured that all necessary steps are taken to
remove gases or vapours in the workplace or render them
22.
non-flammable where the operations or processes involve the
application of heat?
HOUSEKEEPING
Has the occupier ensured that workplace is kept in a clean
state?
 Dirt and refuse are removed at least once a day?
 Dirty and refuse removed are kept in a receptible?
23.  Stores have a marked gangway of at least one meter wide
for movement of persons
 Stores having mobile transportation equipment have
marked gangway to accommodate the size of the
equipment and for the use of persons working therein.
Finished products, by-products and any waste products are
24. removed immediately they are produced so as to avoid
accumulation of products or waste products.
The occupier has ensured a distance of at least one meter
25. between two machines or from any machine and a fixed
structure provided to ensure easy movement and access.
Electrical machines, equipment and hand tools in the
workplace are properly earthed or double insulated.
-All electrical equipment and hand tools are spark proof where
26.
flammable liquids, vapour, dusts and gases are likely present.
-Electrical equipment and related attachment are inspected in
every period of six months and records kept.
 FIRE RISK AUDIT CHECKLIST
No. Theme Yes No N/A Comment
-Occupier has ensured that adequate measures are to ensure
that electrostatic charge do not build up where flammable
substances are present.
FIRE ESCAPE EXIT
The workplace has provided an emergency exit of at least
27. 90cm wide that does not lead to a trap and located far away
from the ordinary exit
Workplace Fire Exit doors, gangways are free of obstruction
28.
and clearly marked.
Spiral staircase is not provided for emergency exit at the
29.
workplace.
Control of spread of smoke and Evacuation
Workplace has ensured that where flammable substances are
30. stored, the door is self-closing, opening outwards or sliding to
contain smoke spread.
For storey buildings the workplace has provided access to
31. other suitable exit for evacuation other than the emergency
exit.
FIREFIGHTING ADMINISTRATION
32. The workplace has formed firefighting team (Fire Marshals)
The firefighting team has been trained on their functions at the
33.
workplace.
Fire drill has been conducted in the last 12 months and records
34.
of the same provided.
The workplace has designated fire assembly point that is
35.
marked.
The workplace has trained first aiders and at least one is
36.
available.
The workplace has provided means of communication in cases
37.
of fire emergency.
The workplace has provided notices communicating the
38.
company position on smoking.
 FIRE RISK AUDIT CHECKLIST
No. Theme Yes No N/A Comment
The company has put in place fire detection system as a
39.
proactive measure to fire emergencies.
The workplace has in place firefighting appliances with
40. recommended color code as reactive measure to fire
emergencies.
The workplace fire equipment are inspected at least once
41. every 12 months and hydraulic testing done once every five
years.
42. The workplace has in place a fire safety policy.
The workplace has carried out fire risk safety audit in the last
43.
12 months.
The workplace has in place at least 10, 000litres of water for
44.
use in the event of fire.
COPIES OF DOCUMENTS TO BE PROVIDED BY THE WORKPLACE
45. Copy of Recent Fire Inspection Certification
46. Copy of Fire Marshals Lists
47. Copy of Fire Risk Policy
49. Copy Recent of Fire Alarm Test Certification
50. Copy of Recent Emergency Evacuation Drill

Benard Lango, PhD Projects Management, MA. PPM

An accomplished Project Management researcher in the field of public safety service delivery specializing
in PMIS use in disaster management, Author of several books and articles, A trainer in public safety
management, a policy developer in the area of disaster projects management. An Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Audit (EA) Lead Auditor registered with NEMA Kenya. A Member of the
Environmental Institute of Kenya (EIK), A practicing member of Professional Trainers Association of Kenya
(PTAK), A member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) the regulatory organization of the Project
Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)
[email protected], or [email protected]

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