Top Three Ways to Protect Your Business from Fire this Year
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that U.S. fire departments respond to more than 3,300 fires in office properties every year. Direct property damage from these fires cost U.S. companies about $112 million in property damage. FEMA reports deaths from fires are up 24%. With an increase in wildfires in western states over the past several years, annual damage to property assets, equipment, and people is increasing. The total annual cost of wildfire damage for insurers was upwards of $13 billion last year.
Progress and innovation have brought us fire resistant building and safety tools and procedures that business owners can use to reduce the risk of fire. But preventing fires at business and commercial properties continues to be a challenge. One source suggested 80% of companies go out of business within 18-months of a major fire event. What can you do to keep your company safe from fire this year?
Create and practice a fire safety plan
Commercial buildings are required to have an evacuation plan in place, but are your employees familiar with the plan? Fire safety training should include drills — an important step few businesses follow. Create or improve your fire safety plan to include the following:
Imagine various scenarios where fire can occur. Plan evacuation routes for each.
Assign each employee a role in the event of an emergency evacuation.
Make a communication plan for speaking with the fire department, insurers, and employee family members.
Implement regular fire drills and/or enforce participation in building emergency drills.
Too often, ringing fire alarms are dismissed as drills by employees. Drills should actively test your employees’ knowledge of emergency evacuation plans. It’s the only way to guarantee readiness in case of a real emergency.
2. Create a Culture of Fire Safety
Fire safety drills are frequently treated like unscheduled breaks. New employee orientation training rarely includes fire safety and evacuation information. Creating a fire safety culture requires regular communication about fire safety that goes beyond compliance testing for fire suppression systems or posting evacuation routes. Fire safety is an occupational health issue and should be addressed as such so that everyone is on the same page during drills and in the event of an actual crisis.
A company with a healthy fire safety culture is more aware of risks and takes precautionary measures to keep everyone safer at work. Talk with employees about common fire hazards, including overheated computers and overloaded power outlets. Make sure every employee is aware of evacuation plans and knows their assigned role and designated checkpoint. Discuss strategies for navigating the stairs when smoke impairs visibility. Decide who is responsible for ushering visitors out safely. Teach your employees how to use a fire extinguisher. Check with your local fire department or FEMA regional office about available fire safety training.
Proactive planning saves lives.
3. Regular Equipment Inspections
Fire alarms and suppression systems are more sophisticated than ever, but these tools still require regular inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM). Testing equipment extends its lifecycle and reduces long-term service costs. Regular ITM processes also provide a clear timeline for upgrading your current fire safety systems. Finally, equipment maintenance and inspections make sure safety tools are ready should a fire occur.
Inspect your building regularly as well. Dangerous flammable materials cluttering up storage rooms or other areas could enable fire to spread and inhibit clear access to key fire safety exits.
Keeping your company safe from fire hazards is everyone’s responsibility. Follow these tips to create an environment that is both fire-proof and fire-ready. TRL Systems Fire and Life Safety works with companies of all sizes to design, deploy, and maintain fire safety systems. We help your business stay prepared. Contact us for more information.