Ways to Protect your business from Fire Hazards

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

Local Commercial business affected by fire damage.

Business owners have many things, including plenty of safety factors to consider, regarding risks to their business, staff, and visitors. If you are a business owner, one of those risks you need to spend a little extra time planning for and working toward preventing is a Fire!

Common Causes Of Commercial Structure Fires:

According to the National Fire Protection Association, The leading causes of structure fires in office properties include..:

1. Cooking Equipment- 29% of fires.

2. Electrical Distribution, and Lighting Equipment- 12% of fires.

3. Heating Equipment- 11% of fires

4. Intentional- 10% of fires

5. Smoking Materials- 9% of fires

6. Exposure- 4% of fires 

7. Electronic, office, or Entertainment Equipment- 3% of fires

Out of those, Namely three causes accounted for the most property damage are intentional fires, Exposure, and Electrical distribution and lighting equipment fires with 20%, 18%, and 15% respectively.

Protecting your Business:

There are many steps to follow to protect your business from the risks of fires, But focusing on fire risk assessment, Fire prevention, and Staff education, you can help reduce the chance of a fire breaking out. First you need to make sure to assess the fire hazard risks in your facility. In some areas, the local government may even provide a visit from a fire marshal who will help identify these risks and provide guidance on your fire prevention plan. You'll want to make sure that the right fire protection equipment is in place. This includes an automatic sprinkler system, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor. Most importantly, consider your employees and visitors. Creating a fire plan and reviewing it with your staff will ensure that you are making sure everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire. Conduct fire drills at least once a year to keep that fire safety protocol fresh in their minds, and take time to review evacuation plans and the location of first-aid kit.

Despite best efforts with fire prevention and safety tips, the worst could always happen at your business, if a fire has damaged your business SERVPRO of McAllen is available to help make it "Like it never even happened."