In May a 2-alarm fire completely destroyed an auto repair shop in Baltimore, MD. A careless smoker caused the 2-alarm fire that resulted in property damage over $1 million dollars (the auto repair shop, surrounding businesses and apartments in northwest Baltimore were all destroyed).
The fire department had to call in the hazmat team to handle chemicals stored within the repair shop.
2-alarm fire damage is very expensive for residential owners and commercial owners alike. It is also very life threatening. A 2-alarm fire at a home occurred in Severn, Maryland last Sunday.
How To Protect Your Auto Repair Shop From a 2-Alarm Fire
To prevent loss of life and loss of your livelihood, it is important to have fire alarms, automatic sprinklers and reliable fire protection systems installed at your auto repair shop.
Most auto repair shops go out of business after fire damage because of the expensive property damage cost.
No sprinklers and fire protect systems in your auto repair shop will put your business at higher risk for a 2-alarm fire.
Here are common causes of auto repair shop fires:
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Residual oil vapors come in contact with the heating room to result in a gas-fire.
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Portable space heaters can combust within storage rooms.
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Flash fires resulting from contaminated oil in storage tanks.
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And flammable spray paint.
Here are fire protect systems you should have installed:
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Automatic sprinklers because the sprinklers help keep fires under control long to limit fire damage to vehicles, the building structure and increase evacuation times.
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Dry Chemical Extinguishers/ Carbon Dioxide Fire extinguishers. These multipurpose fire extinguishers can help repair shops tackle A, B, and C type fires.
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Fire alarms. It’s the best fire protection system for commercial properties for its mass notification alerting capabilities. A major life saver.
Fireline Corporation is here to help you enhance fire safety and life safety at your auto repair shop today.
Fireline a Maryland corporation founded in 1947 by John S. Waters. Fireline remains a pioneer in the fledgling fire equipment distribution business and we have grown to encompass all facets of fire protection. We can design, install, inspect, or service any type of fire protection system. From fire alarm to fire extinguishers, we do it all.
Learn about Fireline’s Fire Extinguisher Service, Fire Extinguisher Testing, Fire Extinguisher Training, and Fire Extinguisher Inspections today by calling 410.247.1422 or click here.
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Source:
http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/mbrsecurepdf/autorepairshopincidents.pdf