Source: RWTH Aachen
Friday, December 13, 2024, was the annual Smoke Detector Day – an event that draws attention to the importance of working smoke detectors. What is often regarded as an unlucky day is to be turned into a lucky day through preventative measures.
Thirty years ago, there were more than twice as many fire deaths as there are today. This decline is mainly due to the gradual introduction of mandatory smoke alarms in the individual federal states, which were implemented independently of each other. Hesse made the start in 2005, and Berlin finally introduced the obligation in 2017. The educational work of the fire department and initiatives such as “Smoke alarms save lives” from 2000 are also making a significant contribution to this.
Fire Protection at RWTH Aachen University
Smoke alarms are crucial for saving lives. Two thirds of fire victims are surprised in their sleep – functioning smoke alarms provide timely warning and can prevent the worst from happening. In addition to private precautions, company fire protection plays an important role. The Fire Protection Department (Department 11.0 Infrastructure – 11.03. Fire Protection) at RWTH Aachen University is responsible, among other things, for the regular instruction of employees and the training of fire protection assistants. The areas of responsibility can be found on the RWTH intranet website.
The training of fire safety assistants is not only a legal requirement, but also a central component of prevention. Companies are obliged to train a sufficient number of employees in the use of fire extinguishing equipment. The number of fire safety assistants required is determined by the risk assessment. As a guideline, around five percent of the workforce should be trained.
Contents of Fire Safety Assistant Training
The training consists of theoretical principles and practical exercises:
- Legal basics and hazards caused by fires
- Preventive fire protection in the company
- Behavior in the event of a fire and initial measures
- Knowledge of how fire extinguishers work
- Practical exercises with various fire extinguishers and fire dummies
Important Tips for Private Fire Protection
- Test smoke detectors regularly and opt for durable models
- Check electrical appliances, cables and plugs for damage
- Do not overload multiple sockets
- Never extinguish grease fires with water, but smother them with a fire blanket
- Never leave hotplates unattended and keep flammable materials away from cooking surfaces
- Place heating appliances at a sufficient distance from flammable materials
- Always keep escape routes clear
You can find more information on the tasks of the fire safety department and training to become a fire safety assistant on the RWTH intranet website.
Responsible for the content of this article are Christian Blischke and Malak Mostafa.
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