Is Your Business Ready for a Fire Emergency? | SERVPRO of Bartow County

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

If a fire starts on your commercial property and leaves you with infrastructure damage, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Bartow County.

Businesses experience many highs and lows throughout the day, and with so much going on at work, problems might arise before you have time to prepare. Commercial fires are amongst the many emergencies that could break out unexpectedly in the workplace. 

Fires pose a serious threat to both business owners and their staff. It is critical to prepare everyone in the workplace for these catastrophes in order to not only keep your business functioning but also to protect yourself and your employees’ lives. 

The best way to protect your workplace from the dangers of fire is to prepare for them ahead of time. Start here: 

Fire prevention tools. Fire prevention equipment is one way to fight fires once they ignite. Sprinklers, for example, are an excellent tool to limit the impact of fires, with an 88% success rate in controlling flames. You should have sprinklers installed all throughout your commercial property to reduce the spread of flames, even when they aren’t required by law. 

Smoke alarms are another effective tool that allow everyone in a business to be aware of the presence of flames. Smoke alarms should be installed throughout your business and tested on a regular basis to ensure they are operational. 

Fire extinguishers are beneficial as well, as personnel can access them as a way to control small flames. In the event of a fire, make sure your employees are trained on how to utilize extinguishers safely and effectively. 

Evacuation plan. There are several areas to train and prepare for when developing an escape plan for your team to execute. First, go over all the possible fire scenarios your team could run into. How could fires ignite in your building and what steps should your team take first? 

Next, inspect your building for fire exit routes and be sure all team members are aware of their location. Have fire exit signs placed over all escape routes and keep these exits clear of appliances, furniture and any other items. 

Finally, be sure to routinely practice fire drills and go over your evacuation plan to ensure all employees are on the same page. 

Removal of workplace fire hazards. Depending on what type of business you run, there are many different unique hazards that contribute to the spread of flames. 

Because they work with open flames and combustible materials, businesses that utilize cooking and kitchen facilities are prone to fires. In fact, around 29% of workplace fires were caused by

cooking equipment. (This isn’t exclusive to businesses that revolve around cooking, though, since even the breakroom microwave can cause flames.) 

Other types of fire threats exist in every type of business, such as overheated machinery and appliances, malfunctioning electrical equipment, and procedures involving combustion gasses. 

Large machinery and dangerous flammable materials aren’t the only sources of commercial fires, though. Careless use of cigarettes and candles can lead to dangerous flames as well! 

If a fire starts on your commercial property and leaves you with infrastructure damage, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Bartow County. We can assist you in repairing as much damage as possible.