Many do not think twice about it, but fire issues can be devastating if you don’t take the proper precautions.
A safe and steady work environment is one of the keys to running a successful business. You can’t operate on a day to day basis without ensuring your employees, customers, and equipment are all protected. Many do not think twice about it, but fire issues can be devastating if you don’t take the proper precautions. Here are some fire and safety tips that will help you and your business avoid a potential disaster in case of an emergency.
Ensure Your Fire Alarm System is Working
One of the easiest precautions you can take to prevent your business from a potential or ongoing fire is to have a fire alarm system. An alarm is the most effective way to notify both your employees and customers that there may be a potential fire in your building. Make sure you hire a fire protection company to test out these alarms regularly to make sure they work correctly. This includes checking the backup batteries and testing each device (smoke detectors, pull stations, strobes) to ensure they are reporting back to the fire alarm panel so that alarms will be received. These tests are required annually per NFPA 72 code and your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) such as your Fire Marshal will be checking to make sure this is completed. Make it a priority to take care of this system as it’s essential for everyone’s safety.
Proper Training for your Team
Training your employees in case of a fire accident is another important step you should take. This includes:
- Calling 911 when there is a fire
- Holding meetings with your employees to educate them on emergency evacuation plans. One effective way to do this is to organize a fire drill. That way, your employees will know precisely how to escape when potential danger strikes.
- It is also essential that you train your employees on how to use fire extinguishers properly. Equip a few of these around your business building and educate everyone on how to use them. This will also guarantee safety for everyone while evacuating the building, at least until the fire department arrives.
Testing and Checking for Hazards
The easiest, but most forgotten precaution of them all is checking and preventing a fire from even starting in the first place. You can do this by testing your sprinkler systems and smoke detectors regularly, as mentioned earlier. You should also:
- Mark your emergency exits clearly – make sure they’re unlocked and nothing is blocking them for when you may need to escape.
- Store your trash and chemical products properly.
- Don’t leave anything flammable close to electrical outlets and be sure to store anything with dangerous chemicals safely.
- Always unplug unused electrical appliances, it takes a few seconds to disconnect them at the end of the day.
- Consult your local fire marshal for a fire safety inspection.
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are located in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.