| Fire safety | Fire safety | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Fire%20precautions%20in%20the%20home%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClass2F9B25AFDF9A4BC1B0EB01DD15CA3D35"><p>Fire is a major risk factor for both residents and businesses which can lead to loss of life, livelihood and damage to property. Thousands of people are affected annually by fires in their homes, businesses and informal settlements. It is important to know how fires start and what steps you can take to prevent them.</p></div> | <span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Basic fire safety tips</h2></span>
<p>In the event of a fire, it is important to know what to do to save yourself and your loved ones, and minimise any risk to property. </p><ul><li>Warn people to get out </li><li>Crawl low under smoke to escape </li><li>Help people to get out and then stay out </li><li>Close any open doors to slow the spread of the fire </li><li>Before opening a door, feel it with the back of your hand - do no open it if it is warm </li><li>If your clothes catch fire, do not run around because you will fan the flames. Instead, stop, drop and roll around on the ground, covering your face with your hands, to put out the flames </li><li>Keep roads clear so the fire engines can get to the fire quickly </li><li>Keep fire hydrants clear - do not park in the way of a fire hydrant</li><li>If the fire is contained to a small area and it is safe to do so, you can try to extinguish it, using a fire extinguisher</li></ul>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Report a fire</h4><p>Any fires should be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre as soon as possible by dialling
<strong>107 </strong>from a landline or
<a>021 480 7700</a> from a cellphone.<br>
<br> Report damaged fire hydrants and equipment to our Call Centre on
<a>0860 103 089</a>.</p></div></div></span><span>
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<figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-1"><img class="responsive" alt="Fire Safety - Extinguisher" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/FireSafety-Extinguisher.jpg" style="display:none;" /><figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;">
<p>Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher?
<strong>
<a href="https://youtu.be/SFI7-WlbPxQ" target="_blank">Our firefighters give a demonstration on what you need to do.</a></strong><i class="icon link-external"></i></p> </figcaption> </figure>
<figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-2"><img class="responsive" alt="Fire Safety - Fire Evacuation Plan" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/FireSafety-FireEvacuationPlan.jpg" style="display:none;" /><figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;">
<p>Do you have a fire evacuation plan for your home?
<strong>
<a href="https://youtu.be/ulqNbZxyrs0" target="_blank">Find out what you can do in case of a fire in your home.</a></strong><i class="icon link-external"></i></p> </figcaption> </figure>
<figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-3"><img class="responsive" alt="Fire Safety - Candles" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/FireSafety-Candles.jpg" style="display:none;" /><figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;">
<p>Open flames are a high risk for potential house fires.
<strong>
<a href="https://youtu.be/yWyHZS6_CwA" target="_blank">Always safely secure candles in a tin or jar of sand or water.</a></strong><i class="icon link-external"></i></p> </figcaption> </figure>
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<img class="responsive" alt="Fire Safety - Grease Fires" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/FireSafety-GreaseFires.jpg" style="display:none;" />
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<p>Don't throw water on a grease fire.
<strong>
<a href="https://youtu.be/0V1d49Bwg5A" target="_blank">Find out how to extinguish a grease fire quickly and safely.</a></strong><i class="icon link-external"></i></p> </figcaption> </figure> </div><div class="image-gallery-control"><div class="image-gallery-caption"><p>Fire safety</p></div><div class="image-gallery-nav"><div class="nav-info">1 of 4</div><div class="slide-next">
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Fire safety and prevention at home</h2></span>
<p>Most house fires are caused by lack of thought or concentration. Smoking cigarettes or using matches, lighters, candles, heating appliances and equipment such as electric blankets can all cause fires if not carefully monitored. Many fires are easily preventable if you follow a few basic safety guidelines.</p><ul><li>Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach</li><li>Cut candles in half to prevent them falling over – and use a candle holder</li><li>Do not smoke in bed</li><li>If you can afford it, keep a fire extinguisher in your home; maintain it annually and learn how to use it</li><li>Keep a bucket of sand in the kitchen if you don’t have an extinguisher; throwing sand over a small fire, especially oil, can help contain it before it gets out of control</li><li>Keep a garden hose rolled up and ready in case of fire</li><li>Where possible, have more than one exit point from your house</li><li>Make an escape plan that the whole family knows about and can follow – see our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Pages%20from%20Job_NO._2592_Fire_Safety_HOME_CHECKLIST_Eng.pdf" target="_blank">Fire Safety Home Checklist</a></li></ul><p>Learn more about
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/safety-in-the-home/basic-household-safety/fire-precautions-in-the-home">fire precautions in the home</a>.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Fire safety and prevention at work</h2><p>While residential and wildfires are most common, it is important that fire safety is a priority in all settings, including the workplace. You can prevent fires at work by following a few basic safety guidelines.</p><ul><li>Discard of waste safely, and away from the public </li><li> Evacuation procedures for a fire in your workplace should form part of your occupational health and safety measures, with trained staff members to ensure safe evacuation of all persons. Ensure that the elected safety coordinator in your building downloads and completes our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Job_NO._2592_Fire_Safety_Checklist_for_your_workplace_Eng_Afr_Xho.pdf" target="_blank">Fire Safety Work Checklist</a></li><li> Keep adequate cleaning equipment like wipes or cloths on hand to quickly clear spillages in the workspace, and dispose of the cloths and wipes correctly </li><li> Keep areas outside buildings clear of waste material and combustible items (i.e. timber pallets, cardboard boxes, etc.) </li><li>Keep pipes, ducts, beams, trusses and electrical light fittings clean </li><li>Keep production storage areas, benches, gratings, conveyer belts and similar places clear of dust and rubbish. </li><li>Keep vents on motors free of blockages to ensure air-cooling circulation </li><li>Keep your workspace tidy, and clear out combustible waste and rubbish daily </li><li>Lean drip trays regularly, and absorb oil leaks and drips with suitable materials (not sawdust) </li><li>Regularly service and clean machinery and other tools to prevent overheating </li></ul>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Fires on properties and in buildings</h2></span>
<p>Property owners, businesses and facility managers must be aware of fire prevention and preparation measures.</p><h4>There are a number of procedures in place to ensure that all business operations are both lawful and compliant with important safety regulations so that:</h4><ul><li>everyone inside, including those with disabilities, can be evacuated safely</li><li>the spread of fire between buildings is minimised</li><li>the structure, especially double-storey buildings, can withstand the intensity of fire without collapsing</li><li>smoke is minimised and can be controlled</li></ul><h4>Property owners also need to ensure that:</h4><ul><li>entrances to buildings are secure against unauthorised access</li><li>fire breaks are established and maintained around the property </li><li>internal fire-resistant doors are kept closed at all times</li></ul><p>If you live in a multi-storey building, check with your facility manager that the water supply system (booster pumps and roof-top storage) is in working order in compliance with the
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Water%20By-law%202010.pdf" target="_blank">Water By-law (2010)</a> and
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Water%20Amendment%20By-law%202018.pdf" target="_blank">Amendment (2018)</a>.</p><p>Speak to your insurer and other relevant bodies to ensure you are aware of all requirements and consequences of fires during a drought, and when water pressure will likely be low.</p><p>The City's
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Community%20Fire%20Safety%20By-law.pdf" target="_blank">Community Fire Safety By-law </a>guides procedures, methods and practices to regulate fire safety in Cape Town. </p><p>All buildings must be designed, built and equipped to deal with fire in accordance with national building legislation. Find out more about
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/doing-business-in-the-city/business-compliance-permits-and-licences/electrical-and-fire-safety-compliance">safety regulations and requirements </a>when planning, developing or finishing building construction.</p><h4> Fire safety checklist</h4><p>Ensure that the elected safety coordinator in your building downloads and completes our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Job_NO._2592_Fire_Safety_Checklist_for_your_workplace_Eng_Afr_Xho.pdf" target="_blank">Fire Safety Work Checklist</a>. This will ensure that standards are maintained, and materials and resources are in place to prevent a fire, or deal with one should it break out.</p><h4> Emergency escapes and fire doors</h4><p>A building must have an alternate emergency escape when:</p><ul><li>the occupancy in any room or the upper storey of a two-storey building exceeds 25 persons</li><li>the distance to the nearest escape exceeds 45 metres</li><li>a building is three storeys or more in height</li></ul>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>emergency escapes</h4><p>
<b></b>Emergency escapes can only be locked if the locking device has been approved by the fire department. A common locking device is the ‘push bar panic bolt’ mechanism. Fire doors can be kept open on condition that they are equipped with an approved automatic releasing hold-open device.</p></div></div></span>
<h4> Fire equipment</h4><p>It is essential that portable fire equipment in a building is ready and able to be used in an emergency by you, your staff or the fire brigade. There must be adequate equipment on-hand to detect, fight, control, and extinguish a fire, and staff members must be trained and equipped with the knowledge to deal with a fire disaster in the workplace and building.</p><p>All commercial, industrial, health care and accommodation facilities have to install and maintain fire safety equipment and keep it to the best acceptable standards:</p><ul><li>Only
<a href="https://www.sabs.co.za/certification/certificationfilter.asp">SABS 1475 approved companies </a>can supply and service fire equipment</li><li>Fire equipment must be serviced at least once a year</li><li>Removing or relocating fire equipment or an emergency exit can only be undertaken on condition that the necessary approval has been obtained by the
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Fire%20and%20Rescue%20Service%20Department">Fire and Rescue Service Department</a></li></ul>
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<i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p>
<b></b>Contact the SABS office on
<a>021 681 6700</a> to request a list of approved fire equipment supply companies.</p></div></div></span><span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Preventing shack fires</h2></span>
<p>Shack fires are very hard to control and can have devastating consequences for residents of informal settlements.</p><h4>Pay attention to these basic tips and help control the risk:</h4><ul><li>Keep a close eye on paraffin stoves</li><li>Don't cook near a window with a curtain</li><li>Make sure the stove doesn't fall over. It may burn children or cause a fire. Make sure cooking fires are put out properly</li><li>Make sure candles are secure and can't fall over</li><li>Don't go to sleep or leave the house with candles or gas lamps still burning</li><li>Don’t smoke in bed</li><li>Teach children about the dangers of fire</li><li>Teach children not to play with matches or lighters – store these items out of their reach</li><li>Make sure cigarette butts are put out properly before disposing of them</li><li>Be aware of the dangers of illegal and faulty electricity connections, which also cause fires</li><li>Keep a bucket handy to fill with water so that you can extinguish flames easily</li><li>Keep a bucket of sand to put out paraffin fires</li><li>Build shacks a good distance (at least 3 metres) apart to prevent fires from spreading; make sure this space is kept open</li><li>Keep roads and access to shacks clear at all times</li><li>Do not block roads with a shack’s contents when there is a fire</li><li>Do not prevent or disturb the work of fire fighting crews.</li></ul><p> Download our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Educational_Pamphlet_Informal_Settlements.pdf" target="_blank">Fire Safety in Informal Settlements pamphlet</a>.</p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Wildfires</h2></span>
<p>Wildfires are a common occurrence during the dry season in Cape Town, and represent a significant threat to life, property and the environment. We all have to be more careful with fire and open flames when outside. </p><p>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/safety-in-the-home/natural-disasters-and-your-home/wildfires">Find out more about wildfires</a>. </p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Open burning</h2></span>
<p>Any burning of rubbish, fields, vegetation and similar materials is strictly controlled. Open burning is allowed only when a fire is intended for preparing food or for other domestic purposes or if a burning permit has been applied for and issued. </p>
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<i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p>
<b>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Health-and-safety/Environmental-health/Apply-for-an-open-burning-permit">Apply for an open burning permit</a></b></p></div></div></span><span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Fire safety at events</h2>
<p>To host an event in Cape Town, event organisers must apply for an event permit from the City. Permits will not be issued if the event does not comply with health and safety regulations.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/commercial-health-and-safety/events-safety/events-safety">Find out more about events safety</a>.</p>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Fire services and inspections</h2></span>
<p>The City’s
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Fire%20and%20Rescue%20Service%20Department">Fire and Rescue Service </a>provides advice and support to residents, business, industry and local government on:</p><ul><li>building inspections</li><li>fire equipment maintenance</li><li>using and storing dangerous goods.</li></ul><p>Requests for an inspection must be made in writing and addressed to the relevant fire safety office. You will need to apply for safety clearance as part of the process of
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Business-and-trade/Apply-for-a-business-licence">applying for a business licence</a>.</p>
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<i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p>
<b>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Request-a-service/Request-an-inspection/Request-a-fire-inspection">Request a fire inspection</a></b></p></div></div></span>
<h4>Request a fire safety training session</h4><p>If you would like a fire safety officer to visit your school or organisation, request a visit by calling
<em>
<a>021 444 3500</a></em> or sending an email request to
<a href="mailto:lifesafety@capetown.gov.za">lifesafety@capetown.gov.za</a>. </p><p>Our professional firefighters are also trainers who will gladly give
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Safety-in-the-home/Basic-household-safety/Be-taught-by-a-firefighter">free basic fire safety advice</a> to the community. </p><p>For more information on how to fight fires, contact our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Fire%20and%20Rescue%20Service%20Department">Fire and Rescue Service</a> or one our Fire and Life Safety Education Officers on
<em>
<a>021 444 3500</a></em> or via <a href="mailto:lifesafety@capetown.gov.za">lifesafety@capetown.gov.za</a>. If you have a specific need or enquiry, get in touch with a
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/see-all-city-facilities/our-service-facilities/Fire%20stations/">fire station in your area</a>.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us</h2><p>
<strong>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Fire%20and%20Rescue%20Service%20Department">Fire and Rescue Service Department</a></strong></p><h4>24-hour emergencies:</h4><p>
<em>Telephone:<br><a>107</a><em> (landline) or
<a>021 480 7700</a> (cellphone)</em></em></p>
<em> </em>
<h4>General fire safety enquiries:</h4><p>
<em>Telephone</em><br><a><em> 021 590 1971</em></a><em> / </em>
<a>
<em>021 590 1975</em></a></p> | | GP0|#e4c77376-f67d-44c6-9f89-1aed97378ae8;L0|#0e4c77376-f67d-44c6-9f89-1aed97378ae8|Fire safety;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#4fd38f14-3493-49a2-ac32-47bb5287df33;GPP|#df0a3405-0ca1-4617-8047-15a034219fee;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#10a3b227-83be-4d7c-a8ee-0be229ce5341;L0|#010a3b227-83be-4d7c-a8ee-0be229ce5341|Fire safety;GPP|#017ada89-c259-41d0-9d84-6f76b11a01bc;GPP|#0d3239d7-7f51-4f27-91a0-72970cba1d46;GPP|#e88ff549-973f-4e3c-a46c-cfbe61bd6a24 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Learn how you can take steps to secure your home from fire risks. | 0 |
