3 Ways To Prepare for a Business Fire

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

Your building should have a sprinkler system

Fire Preparation Tips

According to the US Fire Administration, there were more than 100,000 nonresidential fires in 2018, totaling over $2.5 million in costs. While you may not want to think about a disaster, such as a business fire, preparing for one can help you reduce damage and losses.
Here are three fire preparation tips to get you started safeguarding your Dickson, TX, business.

1. Get the Proper Equipment
Check that you have an adequate number of fire extinguishers and that they’re up to date. They last between five and 10 years, even if there’s no expiration date on the unit. Replace your extinguisher if it has any visible damage or you can’t find the inspection sticker or servicing information.
Your building should also have smoke detectors or a sprinkler system. Smoke detectors last between eight and 10 years.

2. Fix Potential Risks
Prevention is the best protection against fires. Go through your building to see if you have any areas that are likely hazards. There are many ways a business fire can start, including:

• Combustible and flammable items near furnaces or space heaters
  
• Broken equipment cords
  
• Multiple extension cords in one outlet
  
• Machines and appliances that aren’t regularly maintained or cleaned
  
  

Tell your employees how important it is to keep halls, doorways and stairs clear from boxes and other items that may block them from leaving the building quickly.
You can also ask a fire marshal or the building’s property manager to inspect your building to ensure you’re meeting safety codes.

3. Prepare Your Employees
Communicate your fire preparation plan to your staff. Tell them about evacuation and communication procedures. Run drills and demonstrate how to use a fire extinguisher using the PASS method: pull, aim, squeeze and sweep.
If you do have a business fire, call a fire damage repair company to restore your property. A team fire cleanup specialists can come and assess the extent of the fire charring, put up boards or tarp for immediate coverage, remove any smoke or soot and repair your building.