Every year, more than 120,000 fires occur in commercial buildings. This results in $2.4 billion worth of property damage. In some cases, businesses can never recover this cost and ultimately shut down their operations.
So, if you’re a business owner, looking into safety measures is very important. From fire warden training to device installation, certain steps can rescue your company from this disastrous end. Let’s discuss what they are below!
1. Install Fire Safety Devices
There are hundreds of different fire safety devices available today. Some common examples include fire alarms, extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, and highly sensitive sprinkler systems.
These gadgets are designed to detect signs of a fire and respond accordingly. A sprinkler will immediately flood the room with water if fire smoke is detected. This technology allows us to save both – life and property.
However, the efficiency and reliability of each device depends on the manufacturer. It’s important to conduct detailed research and choose the best manufacturer for your fire safety devices.
2. Create an Emergency Plan
Having fire safety devices doesn’t guarantee an accident-free zone. It’s totally possible for fire incidents to occur at your commercial office or workspace. So, make sure you have an emergency plan ready, too.
What should be the course of action during these times? Who should be contacted? Where should employees seek shelter? All these questions should be addressed by the emergency plan. This will ensure panic doesn’t seize everybody’s ability to function and that people are ready to save themselves and others.
3. Look out for Flammable Substances
Flammable substances are those things that catch fire easily. Examples include diesel, gasoline, wood, paper, and even towels. These items can burn rapidly if exposed to a fire source.
Most workplaces have these items, so it’s important to store them properly to avoid a fire incident. They shouldn’t be kept near any heat source. You should ensure there is a dedicated warehouse or storage space in the building for them.
4. Train Your Staff
Training the team about fire safety is perhaps the most important measure. You can install the best fire safety devices in the world or design your commercial building in the most fire-proof way.
But if the people working in that building aren’t aware of this, there is no guarantee of preventing damage in a fire accident. Your team should know how to prevent a fire accident in the workplace.
They should also know what protocol must be followed during a fire. It’s best to train them professionally and teach them safety measures. Consider conducting refresher sessions every 6 months to reinforce the training.
5. Regularly Inspect & Upgrade
Lastly, as the business authority, it’s on your shoulders to ensure the effectiveness of your fire safety protocols. Figure out the metrics or inspection methods that can be used to track the effectiveness.
If your commercial building is huge, a better strategy would be to hire a fire inspection manager and call them in every month for an inspection. They can also suggest the best upgrades to improve fire safety.
However, if that’s out of your budget, you should consider hiring external teams for bi-monthly inspections. We don’t recommend annual inspections, especially if there are too many flammable substances in the building.
It might be too late to spot an error, which can lead to an increased risk of accidents. Be more proactive and frequent in checking your fire safety effectiveness.