The Fire Brigade is a group of people trained and qualified to prevent and fight fires in different types of environments. Their presence is mandatory in certain buildings and risk areas, according to regulatory standards.
According to data from the Brazilian Association of Building Systems Engineering (ABRAVA) , the lack of preventive measures against fires is the second biggest cause of accidents in buildings, behind only occurrences caused by short circuits.
Furthermore, according to the Military Fire Department of the State of São Paulo, on average, around 200 fires occur per day in Brazil, resulting in significant material and human losses.
In this sense, the formation of a brigade is essential to guarantee people’s safety and the preservation of assets, preventing and fighting fires quickly and efficiently.
What is the fire brigade?
A fire brigade is a group of people trained and organized to prevent and fight fires in a given location.
They can be employees of a company, residents of a condominium, members of a community or volunteers in general who are available to act in emergency situations.
It is worth noting that it is responsible for identifying fire risks, promoting prevention measures, such as periodic inspections, and acting immediately in the event of an incident, using appropriate protection and fire-fighting equipment.
Why is it important to have a fire brigade?
The fire brigade is extremely important for preventing and fighting fires in various types of environments, as it provides a quick and effective response in emergency situations. Some of the main reasons for having a brigade are:
Fire prevention
The brigade is responsible for identifying fire risks in an environment and promoting prevention measures to reduce them, such as regular inspections, training and guidance for the occupants of the location.
Firefighting
In the event of a fire, the brigade is trained to act quickly , using appropriate protection and fire-fighting equipment, thus avoiding major problems.
It should be noted that with the action of the fire brigade, it is possible to minimize the damage caused by fire and reduce the risk of fire spreading.
Safety of the occupants of the premises
The presence of a brigade in an environment guarantees greater safety for its occupants , as people will feel more protected and confident regarding the response capacity in the event of an emergency.
Compliance with legislation
The formation of a fire brigade is required by law in certain types of buildings and work environments. Therefore, its presence ensures compliance with safety standards and avoids possible legal penalties.
Who can join a fire brigade?
Anyone can participate in a fire brigade , as long as they are properly qualified and trained to perform this role.
However, it is important to highlight that training in companies and buildings is mandatory by law, in accordance with safety and fire prevention standards and regulations.
In general, people who wish to participate must undergo specific training, which includes theoretical and practical classes on fire prevention and fighting, use of protective equipment and rescue and lifesaving techniques.
It is important to remember that the formation of a brigade must be carried out by qualified and accredited professionals, who have technical knowledge and experience in the area of fire prevention and fighting.
What law regulates the fire brigade?
The formation and performance of the Fire Brigade is regulated by several laws , rules and regulations in Brazil, depending on the sector and the location where it will be carried out. Some of the main rules that deal with the subject are:
- Regulatory Standard NR 23: establishes fire protection measures in workplaces and defines the mandatory formation of fire brigades in certain work activities;
- Technical Standard NBR 14276: defines the minimum requirements for the formation of fire brigades in buildings and risk areas;
- Federal Law No. 13,425/2017: establishes the National Civil Defense and Protection Policy (PNPDEC) and establishes guidelines for preventing and fighting fires throughout the national territory;
- Fire and Panic Safety Code (COSCIP): is a state or municipal law that establishes the standards and technical requirements for preventing and fighting fires in buildings and risk areas.
In addition to these rules and laws, there are other specific regulations for certain sectors, such as the rules of the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) for the formation of fire brigades in airports, the rules of the Military Fire Department for the formation of brigades in commercial and residential buildings, among others.
How to set up a fire brigade?
To set up a fire brigade, it is important to follow some steps to ensure the safety of the building’s occupants. Here are some guidelines:
- Identify what your brigade should be like
The first step is to analyze the criteria that the company meets to carry out Fire Brigade Training. The training hours can vary, being 24 hours for advanced training, 8 hours for intermediate training, 4 hours for low-risk training, refresher training, training on construction sites and in residential condominiums.
- Define training participants
The brigade must be made up of employees who are willing to act in emergency situations. Therefore, it is necessary to call on the company’s employees to participate in the brigade.
The number of members of the fire brigade will be determined by some variables, which are listed in NBR 14276. The Fire Department in each state can create Technical Instructions (TI) to guide how many people are needed in the brigade. The specialized company duly registered with the Fire Department that will carry out the Training must guide the exact number of people needed to carry out the training.
- Take a training
Fire brigade members must undergo specific training to act in emergency situations.
This course must be provided by a specialized company. Therefore, contact your local Fire Department for information on local companies.
It is worth mentioning that the course must include firefighting theory and practice, as well as first aid theory and practice.
- Define the functions
Each member of the brigade must have a specific role, such as leader, firefighter or person responsible for activating the fire department. Define the roles of each member, as well as their responsibilities.
- Ensure your property has the necessary equipment
It is important that the brigade has access to fire protection and firefighting equipment , such as fire extinguishers, hoses, sprinklers, among others. Make sure that they are in good condition and that members know how to use them correctly.
- Run simulations
Finally, conduct emergency drills with the participation of the brigade members. They will help identify possible failures in the fire prevention and fighting system.
Remember that in the case of commercial enterprises, depending on the risk assessment, in addition to the brigade, it is also necessary to have civilian firefighters. In short, having a fire brigade is essential.
And if you need a specialized company to create a brigade in your business, contact us. We will be happy to help you!
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