Fire Prevention Tips for Businesses

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

Keep Your Business Safe

In the event of a fire, it's important to be prepared. Here are some simple things you can do to keep your business safe:

1. Install and regularly inspect smoke detectors.

To have a functioning smoke detector in every room, hallway and stairwell, install them on the ceiling or wall 5 to 7 feet above the floor. Test your smoke detectors monthly by pushing the test button. Replace batteries annually and replace the smoke detector every 10 years (or sooner if they don't work properly).

If there's ever an issue with your smoke detectors, take action immediately by contacting a professional or replacing them altogether.

2. Keep and regularly test your fire extinguishers.

It is important to regularly test your fire extinguisher. Most fire extinguishers should be tested once a month and replaced after 10 years, but you should consult with the manufacturer to see what their specific recommendations are. Each time you test the fire extinguisher, follow these steps:

• Check that the pressure gauge reads between 40-60 PSI (pounds per square inch). If it doesn't then replace it immediately.
• Pull out the safety pin (if there is one).
• Pull out the handle while holding down on top of the canister so no air escapes until foam sprays out of all nozzles at least 1 second later. Wait 30 seconds before re-pressurizing with air or nitrogen gas if there is an onboard valve available for this purpose; otherwise hold down on top of the canister again until foam comes out again and release pressure slowly after waiting 30 seconds again even if not re-pressurizing (this step does not apply to CO2 based systems).

3. Schedule fire drills with your employees.

Schedule fire drills with your employees. It’s important to have an emergency plan in place and refresh it every six months. Fire drills should be timed to coincide with business hours, so everyone can participate if they need to evacuate. The best way to ensure that all staff members are able to participate is by holding fire drills at off-peak times, such as early morning or late evening when most people are not present. This will also minimize any disruption of your customer's/patients' experiences at your organization.

Another key element of a successful drill is making sure that your staff knows where the exits are located and how far away they are from each other.

4. Maintain an evacuation map in an easily accessible place (near the front door).

The map should include escape routes and the nearest fire extinguishers. It should also be updated regularly to reflect changes to your business and employees’ routines. Keep in mind that if you have more than one floor, you may need to use alternative escape routes if your primary way out is blocked by fire or smoke.

5. Keep emergency numbers on hand.

Write down the numbers of your local fire department and your local police department. Keep the list on hand, in a place where you can easily access it if needed. If you're out of town, keep this list with you so that anyone who needs to report a fire or call for help can do so without having to look up numbers online.

If you take these steps, you can protect your business and your employees from fire. Many of the tips we’ve discussed here help keep your employees safe, but they also make it easier for them to help you in an emergency. By keeping fire extinguishers in good condition and testing them regularly, for example, everyone will be familiar with where they are located should there ever be an emergency. In addition to having an evacuation map available near the front door of your building (along with other important info like emergency numbers), it’s also important for employees to know how to use them properly so that their efforts don’t end up doing more harm than good.