Being Prepared for Fires at Your Business | SERVPRO® of Buffalo/Tonawanda

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

For business owners, preparing for fires in the workplace is not something to take lightly.

Commercial fires are extremely common and can have a big impact on your livelihood, as well as the safety of your staff.

By increasing your preparedness measures, you can be sure you are doing everything you can to prevent a fire from starting and to stay safe if one does.

By being honest with yourself about your likely risks, checking your equipment regularly, and helping your staff be educated and prepared, you can easily reduce the risks of a fire at your workplace. Here are some of the top workplace fire preparedness tips to help you get started:

Fire Preparedness in the Workplace

Follow code guidelines and inspection schedules. Businesses have fire codes they must follow, set forth by the National Fire Protection Association. It is important to make sure you are up to code as an essential first step for fire preparedness and make sure you keep up with scheduled inspections to ensure your equipment is working properly.

Identify your specific risks. Every building has some level of fire risk, but certain businesses have specific qualities that might lead to a heightened danger level. Consider anything such as hazardous chemicals, cooking equipment or heavy machinery that might contribute to your risk so you can be better prepared for safety surrounding it.

Create (and practice) a fire evacuation plan. In the event of a fire, officials estimate you only have around two minutes to evacuate the building. Making sure your staff has several options for exits and practices a quick escape from the building before a fire starts will reduce panic in case a real fire occurs.

Have regular fire safety seminars with staff. Meeting with staff regularly to review fire safety tips will make sure that new hires, those who work irregular schedules and everyone else on the premises is aware of and prepared for the fire risks in the building. Be sure everyone knows what to do when the fire alarm sounds, where extinguishers are located and any other tips specific to your building that should be noted.

If your business has experienced a fire, we’re here ²⁴⁄₇ to respond and begin restoration. Call us today to learn how we can help you.