A fire is one of the most devastating things that can happen to an office. Fire is dangerous, unpredictable and really hard to contain. According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2007 to 2011 office fires were annually responsible for four civilian deaths, over 40 injuries and over $112 in property damage. Therefore, it’s no wonder why more and more businesses pay special attention when creating a fire prevention plan. No matter if you work in the heavy industry or the IT sector, the threat of a fire is always present, whether it comes from heavy machinery or a water kettle somebody forgot to turn off.
Fire safety should be one of your company’s highest priorities and you should address creating a fire prevention and safety plan as soon as possible. To that end, here are a couple of practices that should come in handy.
Don’t Forget or Neglect Maintenance
In order to save a couple of bucks, a lot of companies turn a blind eye when it comes to office maintenance and fire protection services from companies like Industrial Fire TX and other Houston based companies. This is a dangerous mistake as neglected systems such as heating, air conditioning, electric appliances and issues such as faulty wiring or depressurized fire extinguishers could have a dramatic outcome. To make sure none of these spark a fire, make sure to always have the systems in your office that require maintenance regularly serviced. That also goes for servicing your fire prevention systems such as fire extinguishers, fire alarms, emergency lights and exit signs. Companies like Red Truck Fire offer services such as inspecting all your fire safety equipment to check if everything up to date and in working order.
Double Check Wires and Circuits
If you’re building or remodeling an office, have an expert properly plan and install the electrical circuits and wires. If you’ve recently moved into a new office building, have an electrician replace all faulty wires and cracked sockets. Don’t get stingy on the electrical equipment and always get premium wires and sockets. All the electrical appliances should also be manufactured by recognized brands and inspected frequently.
Be Strict With Smoking
Your employees, clients or partners should never smoke indoors, no matter how important they are. Believe it or not, smoking is one of the leading causes of office fires and reckless smoking can easily endanger the lives of your employees. Have a dedicated smoking area in your company and don’t be afraid to punish anyone who breaks the rules and smokes outside the designated area.
Invest in Fire Extinguishers and Education
When a fire breaks out, fire extinguishers are your first line of defense. Therefore, you should make sure you have enough fire extinguishers placed throughout the company in visibly marked areas. You can place your order for appropriate signage from companies like www.seton.co.uk/safety-signs/
