3 Tips for Fire Emergency Preparedness

4/21/2021 (Permalink)

If a business fire does occur, employees need to evacuate.

Fire Preparation Steps

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there were approximately 110,900 nonresidential fires in 2019. This accounted for 9.4% of the year's total flame-related incidents. As an entrepreneur, you understand the importance of taking precautionary measures so you are ready if a business fire ever occurs. Adequate preparation can help minimize fire damage and fees for services such as a professional restoration and cleanup company from Hamptons At Boca Raton, FL.

1. Check Your Equipment
Part of fire preparation is making sure that you have the correct tools and that they function properly.

Fire extinguishers: There should be a fire extinguisher within 75 feet of any area likely to combust or catch fire, including kitchens or places where hazardous materials are stored. Each extinguisher should be no more than a year old and mounted properly in a space free of anything that might block access.
Hood systems: Remember that hood systems require biannual inspections.
Sprinklers: Keep sprinklers free of obstructions and do not use them as a rack to hang items.
Fire doors/shutters: All fire doors/shutters should undergo regular testing, and their pathways should be kept clear.

2. Take Care of the Exits
If a business fire does occur, employees need to evacuate. There should be easy-to-reach, clearly marked fire escapes and exits. Keep them unlocked and provide good lighting so people escaping can see the way and find them.

3. Perform Practice Drills
Your workers require training in the appropriate procedures. Make sure they know where to obtain fire extinguishers and locate exits and teach them to properly use them. Employees should also be aware of every aspect of your emergency fire plan. Regular drills can help them commit to memory the actions needed if a fire breaks out. This way, even in the heat of a panic-inducing situation, they can react instinctively rather than wasting time thinking of their next step.
Since a business fire can result in a great deal of trouble, it is wise to prepare for one in advance. Following safety measures helps mitigate the impact if one does take place.