Fire, like other disasters, has the potential to cause physical and financial damage to a business. In 2015, fires caused an estimated $11.0 billion in property damage in the United States. This figure does not include the cost of injuries or fatalities resulting from fires. It can also lead to business interruption, which can be costly for a company. For these reasons, businesses need to have advanced fire protection in place to minimize the damage a fire can cause. Here are three tips to help keep your business safe from fires:
Install a sprinkler system.
A sprinkler system is a network of pipes that are filled with water and connected to a central control valve. The control valve opens when a fire is detected and sends water flowing through the pipes to the sprinklers. The sprinklers then spray water onto the fire, putting it out. Sprinkler systems are an effective way to extinguish fires and can minimize damage to your business. They are also relatively affordable, costing around $0.50 per square foot to install. If you don’t have a sprinkler system in place, it’s crucial to have an evacuation plan so employees can safely exit the building in case of a fire.
Have an evacuation plan in place.
An evacuation plan is a document that outlines the steps employees should take in the event of a fire. It should include information about where to go and what to do when they get there. Employees should be familiar with the evacuation plan and rehearsed to know what to do in an emergency. One way to ensure that employees understand and follow an evacuation plan is to hold regular fire drills. During an exercise, employees should practice evacuating the building. They can also test the alarm system and identify any potential problems. Another way to ensure employee compliance is to make sure that the evacuation plan is easy to understand and follow. The plan should be written in clear language and include diagrams or pictures that illustrate the steps employees need to take. Finally, you can encourage employee participation by successfully providing incentives for completing fire drills. For example, you could give employees a bonus or award them with time off work.
Have working smoke detectors.
Smoke detectors are devices that are installed in buildings to detect the presence of smoke. They work by emitting a sound when they sense smoke, which will alert occupants of the building that there is a fire. Smoke detectors should be installed in every room in a building and in the hallway near the entrance. It’s essential to test your smoke detectors regularly to make sure they are working correctly. You can set off a fire alarm or test the detector with a smoke stick. If your smoke detector isn’t working correctly, it won’t be able to detect fires early and could lead to disaster.
To conclude, advanced fire protection can help save lives and protect your business from a devastating fire. By installing smoke detectors and regularly testing them, you can ensure that your building is as safe as possible.
