The Redwoods Group Insurance Program for YMCAs
Risk Management Alert
Topic: Life Safety Issues
During the past several months some YMCAs have been observed to be less-than-diligent about life safety equipment, procedures, and
precautions in their facilities. As the term indicates, life safety is concerned with protecting the very lives of the members, visitors, and employees
of the Y, and should be afforded significant attention, even though emergencies are fortunately infrequent.
| 1. |
A means of egress should be provided from each point in the facility to a public way. Each of the separate and distinct parts
(the exit access, the exit, and the exit discharge) should be maintained completely clear of obstacles. (We found placement of
exercise equipment and storage of aerobic gear in exit hallways, locked exit doors, exit doors blocked by trashcans, storage and snow, exits
leading into or through unsafe, uncontrolled areas, and routes that did not provide access to a public way or to a safe, removed space.)
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| 2. |
Emergency lighting equipment should receive documented periodic testing. Each device should be operated at least once
every 30 days for a minimum duration of 30 seconds, normally by depressing the test button, and at least once every 365 days
for a minimum duration of 90 minutes, normally by de-energizing the appropriate electrical circuits. The documentation should
be kept for 3 years. (Tests conducted during facility visits revealed numerous instances of dysfunctional emergency lighting fixtures. In
general, no formal testing protocols were in place, and those that were had inadequate documentation.)
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| 3. |
If an emergency power supply system (EPSS) is used instead of emergency lighting equipment, the EPSS should be inspected
weekly and should be exercised under load every 30 days at a capacity not less than 50% of the total connected EPSS load
(and not less that 30% and preferably 50% of EPS nameplate rating) for a minimum of 30 minutes, with proper documentation
being maintained. (EPSSs were receiving load testing, but generally not of a frequency or duration sufficient to meet federal guidelines.
Documentation procedures were good.)
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| 4. |
Exit lighting should be illuminated at all times. Documented checks of all exit light locations should be made weekly to verify that all bulbs in the
devices are functional. If the devices have test buttons, these should be pushed to verify operation under back-up power. (Many exit signs were
found that were not illuminated; some were found that did not illuminate when tested.)
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| 5. |
Any door in a means of egress designed to normally be closed, such as a door to a stair enclosure or horizontal exit, should be self-closing, and
should never be secured open except by UL approved devices. (Numerous fire doors that were wedged, blocked, chained, or otherwise prevented
from closing were found, especially in the residential areas. Such practice accelerates the spread of smoke and fire, increasing the potential for
injury, death, and damage.)
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Please call us at 800-463-8546 if you would like to discuss any Risk Management safety tips, or visit our web site at www.redwoodsgroup.com to learn more about YMCA risk management related issues. We would appreciate any feedback you might have to offer concerning this article. Please click here to send your feedback.
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