Protect Your Business From Fire Damage

6/25/2019 (Permalink)

How Protected is Your Business from Fire Damage?

Your company may exist for years without facing the damages caused by a business fire. Unfortunately, the risk of fire in commercial buildings is higher now than in the past ten years. Check out some eye-opening statistics from the National Fire Protection Association:

Between 2007 and 2011, United States fire departments responded to more than 3000 office fires per year.
Cooking equipment was most responsible for these blazes, and electrical failures account for the next highest percentage of fires.
Human error and general negligence also figure significantly in the amount of damage done during the emergency situation.

How protected is your Olathe, KS, business? Have you completed drills for the safety of your employees and customers? Are inspections and maintenance completed regularly?

Fire Extinguishers and Sprinkler Systems

Business fire prevention technicians should perform regular inspections and updates. For example, extinguishers should have a stamped inspection date less than a year old. Additional extinguishers should be installed when your business grows. Any sprinkler heads installed as part of your fire preparation efforts should be kept free of dust and debris. All of these safety components should be free of obstruction and positioned where they are immediately effective.

Fire Safety Plans and Employee Training

Business owners should refer to standards established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, and current Material Safety Data Sheets when creating a safety plan and regarding employee training. It's important to note that your employees, customers, and inventory are all much more likely to escape without fire damage when a safety plan has been put into effect.

If a business fire affects your property, remediation and reconstruction experts can get your building back into presentable condition. However, it may be a long time before your staff, customers, and business partners forget the trauma of facing flames. Make sure you have the right equipment in place, that it's in perfect condition, and that employees are trained in comprehensive safety plans.