NEWPORT — Director Michael Desrochers of the Vermont Division of Fire Safety reminds all building owners and property managers to keep exit doors and fire escapes clear of ice and snow accumulations.
The heavy snows we have already seen this winter, and the likelihood of further snowfall, requires greater vigilance to insure that these critical secondary paths are available for escape or rescue in an emergency.
Schools, apartments, restaurants, nightclubs and other buildings often have secondary exits that may become blocked by ice or snow during the winter months. Building owners are responsible to maintain required exits, and to clear ice and snow or other obstructions as quickly as possible.
Safe, useable exits are fundamental to maintaining a reasonable level of fire safety in all buildings.
Building owners are requested to provide a high level of scrutiny of their exits during this winter period, and throughout the year.
