This checklist template is based on the recommendations of the global insurance company HDI. The main aim is to protect a business from fire during a temporary shutdown. It provides an interrogation of different areas just as general information, safety precautions and other important attributes!
Which areas of the company will be shut down? (details of location, building, part of building, plant, machinery)?
Over what period of time are the above-mentioned operational areas likely to be shut down?
Protection against arson, theft and vandalism
Is the premises completely fenced in?
Are all buildings/works halls adequately protected against unauthorised access, e.g. by installing locks, door and window security devices appropriate to the risk?
Are damaged locks, doors or windows regularly checked and immediately repaired?
Are burglar alarm systems in place (if so, a brief description)?
Is the property supervised around the clock?
Has the concept for the surveillance of the premises by security and control personnel been agreed with the insurance company's contacts with regard to staffing, number of tours, determination of control routes?
Are security-relevant rooms, the outer shells of buildings and fence systems checked daily (at least every 2 days)?
Is the company premises illuminated around the clock, including the fencing, possible outdoor storage areas and the building envelope? (Alternative: lighting controlled by motion detector).
Notes
Minimization of Ignition Sources
Is there an unrestricted ban on smoking on the entire company premises during the shutdown?
Is mobile electrical equipment (coffee machines, kettles, refrigerators, mobile fan heaters) disconnected from the mains by pulling the plug?
Are operating areas centrally disconnected from the power supply? (If so, which ones?) Note: Safety-relevant equipment/systems, such as fire protection systems or emergency lighting, must not be affected by the disconnection of power.
Are the mobile and stationary electrical equipment/systems (if still in operation) still checked according to DGUV regulation 3 (by a qualified electrician) and according to VdS 2871/clause 3602 (by a VdS-recognised expert)?
Notes
Cleaning/Minimisation of Operational Fire Loads
Are all operating rooms thoroughly cleaned before shutting down?
Are production facilities completely shut down and cleaned?
Are unnecessary fire loads, e.g. packaging materials no longer required for the time being or flammable raw and input materials (solid/liquid or gaseous), removed/reduced from production and storage areas before the shutdown? Indication of the reduction in %:
Are stocks of flammable finished/semi-finished goods reduced as far as possible? Indication of the reduction in %:
Is the storage of flammable materials in outdoor areas (as protection against arson) dispensed with?
Are indispensable outdoor storage areas for flammable materials located at a distance of 20 m from buildings and 10 m from property boundaries?
Are machines and equipment protected against corrosion by greasing or protective covers and regularly inspected?
Notes
Safety Precautions with Regard to Fire Protection Equipment
If, in exceptional cases, fire alarm or extinguishing systems have to be shut down at short notice, is the insurer informed of the shutdown of the system?
Are fire protection-related compensation measures coordinated with the insurer?
Are servicing, inspections and maintenance work carried out by the company's own operating personnel, specialist companies, the VdS or other experts in accordance with the regulations and regularly on fire protection systems (BMA, extinguishing systems, fire protection gates, etc.)?
Is the alarm transmission of the fire alarm systems adapted to the possibly changed personnel situation?
Is it ensured in areas with extinguishing system wet groups that the building temperature does not drop below + 5 °C or that there is sufficient protection against freezing by other measures, e.g. redundant trace heating?
Are all fire protection gates and doors closed during a shutdown?
Notes
Safety Precautions on Buildings and Technical Equipment
Are vehicles parked on the premises in such a way that they do not pose a fire hazard to the buildings, i.e. in sprinkled areas or outside at a distance of at least 10 metres from buildings?
Note: The garage regulations must be taken into account.
Are all water-carrying installations and pipes (fresh, heating, process and fire-fighting water) protected against frost if no secured and monitored heating of the buildings can be guaranteed?
Are gas consumers that are not in operation during the shutdown period separated from the gas supply at main shut-off valves?
Notes
Other Organisational Measures
Are special safety measures taken when carrying out hot and welding work?
Are permits for flammable work issued before work begins?
Are alarm plans regularly adapted, e.g. with regard to new telephone numbers or other changed boundary conditions?
Are selected employees informed 48 hours in advance via the storm information system of the German Weather Service (www.dwd.de), www.unwetterzentrale.de or www.katwarn.de in order to initiate safety measures e.g. in case of storms and/or heavy rainfall?
Are the security and control personnel trained for the existing hazards/fire hazards and the proper operation of alarm systems and fire protection facilities?
Has the closure of the plant been reported to the insurance company?
Please note that this checklist template is a hypothetical appuses-hero example and provides only standard information. The template does not aim to replace, among other things, workplace, health and safety advice, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or any other applicable law. You should seek your professional advice to determine whether the use of such a checklist is appropriate in your workplace or jurisdiction.
