Learn about preventative measures you can take to reduce fire risks in your building.
We all know that fire protection equipment is crucial in all buildings, but if you take preventative measures to reduce fire hazards, that equipment will rarely be needed. Fires can happen for a variety of reasons, but it is crucial to do all that you can to reduce the risk of a fire. Continue reading to learn how to prevent fire hazards in your workplace.
Designated Smoking Areas
If a few of your employees are taking smoking breaks throughout the day, it’s crucial to have a designated smoking area outside of your building. If smoking is allowed on the premises, the selected area should include trash bins designed to dispose of cigarettes and smoking materials safely. Also, the area should be far away from any flammable materials or main buildings. Cigarettes are often the cause of workplace fires when not properly disposed of, so it’s crucial for employees to be aware of the dangers and smoke as safely as possible.
Practice Kitchen Safety
The majority of fires start in the kitchen, so it’s critical to practice safe cooking in your commercial building. If you have a stove or oven in your office, every person using the stove should have their hair tied back and tuck in loose clothing to reduce the risk of any flammable materials. Also, all small appliances such as toaster ovens and coffee makers should be restricted to the kitchen or break room, as they can easily ignite combustible materials around them. Every building should have the appropriate fire extinguisher within reach of the kitchen to stop any cooking or microwave fires before the flames get out of control.
Don’t Overload Electrical Outlets
Now that a majority of offices are moving towards being paperless, there are more electronic devices than ever. In addition to office devices and appliances, workers are also bringing in their own laptops and phones that need to charge, causing outlets to overload. Even if your workplace is running low on outlets, it is crucial to avoid power strips at all costs, as they are fire hazards and can start electrical fires. Also, it’s good practice to stay away from appliances that use more than 13 amps or 3000 watts across the whole socket.
Fire Prevention and Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your rental property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and properties from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our wonderful 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, LinkedIn, and Google+.