Business Fire Prevention Tips

10/9/2019 (Permalink)

What are some fire prevention tips for your business? 

A fire can cause severe damage to business equipment, materials, and structures. As a business owner, focusing on fire risk assessment, fire prevention, and staff education can help reduce your chance of fire and smoke damage. Here are three tips to help:

Assess the risk of fire hazards

The National Fire Protection Association offers handbooks and other publications on the fire safety code in place for businesses. If your local government offers it, a visit from a fire marshal is a great step for your fire prevention plan. If a marshal visit isn't available, ask for workplace fire risk assessment guidance from your building's property manager. 

Have fire protection equipment

• If you have an automatic sprinkler system in place, this will provide primary fire protection for your business.
• Standard fire safety practices call for smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on every floor. Employees should be aware of the location of fire extinguishers on each floor.
• Your best bet is multipurpose extinguishers, which will douse most small fires with ease, without shorting out your electronics.
• Equip your employees with an emergency kit stocked with items like bottled water, a flashlight, and an escape mask to fight against smoke inhalation.

Office fire safety tips for your employees

Not only are your employees part of your team, they’re also essential assets to your business. These tips can help prevent them from being injured in a fire.

• Fire Plan. Make sure your employees know what to do if there's a fire, including calling 911 immediately. Conduct a fire drill at least once a year to keep employees aware of your workplace fire safety protocol.
• Have a Safety Officer. Designate a person as your office’s fire prevention officer. Their duties will include composing escape routes and meeting points for employees, as well as keeping all of your safety plans, equipment, and information updated.
• Install a Sprinkler System. Sprinkler systems are cost effective and the best way to fight the spread of a fire in a business with properly installed and maintained systems being 95% effective according to the National Fire Protection Association .
• Leave Space for Appliances. Leave some room behind appliances that heat up, like coffee machines and computers, to allow them to cool down. Keep all of your business appliances away from combustible materials, like paper or cloth. If possible, unplug these appliances at the end of the day as most business fires occur after typical operating hours.
• Regularly Replace Wiring. Check power cords regularly for fraying, broken connectors, or cracked insulation. These need to be replaced immediately. Only use one extension cord per outlet and follow manufacturer recommendations for maximum wattage when using power strips. Avoid “octopus wiring,” when wires and plugs clutter around one outlet, as it could lead to an overload.
• Evacuation Plan. In larger buildings, post a fire evacuation plan in several spots around the workplace. Never include elevators in an evacuation plan; always use the stairs. Businesses with disabled employees should develop a detailed evacuation for those employees needing additional assistance in an emergency.
• First Aid. In case of fire injuries, your employees should be familiar with the location of the first-aid kit, which should be kept where possible hazards can occur most, such as in the kitchen.

Source: https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/small-business/business-fire-prevention-tips