No one thinks their business will experience a fire but the occur in nearly every industry. Each year approximately 15 people are killed and 150 injured in fires in American hotels and motels. These fires cost the hospitality industry early $76 billion in property loss. In 2010, there were almost 1,200 hospital fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The good news is that they can be prevented and controlled. Having a clean agent fire suppression service alongside good commercial fire alarm services can make a big difference in protecting your business.
Tips for Commercial Fire Protection:
- Install commercial fire alarms and a fire suppression system. Early warning systems can make a huge difference in preventing fire damage. If the fire department receives information about a fire at least 10 or 15 minutes before it reached its incipient stage, damage to the structure can be seriously limited. Having the systems also give you the time to make sure everyone is out of the building safely, which is the most important thing to consider. You can hire 24 hour fire alarm monitoring services to keep an eye on your business when you cannot.
- Train employees to be able to use the clean agent fire suppression equipment. If you have many employees, designate who should be authorized to use it. Everyone in the business should be taught how to use the equipment. Any decent clean agent fire suppression service should be able to help you do this. It is important to have certain staff trained to who determine when this equipment should be used.
- Design an evacuation plan. While most business owners understand the importance of having an evacuation plan, only 35% actually have one. Employees should be trained to know what to do in the event of a fire and the plan should include a meet up location so that you can ensure everyone who was in the building has gotten out. If you have a back inventory area, do not forget to think about anyone who might be working there.
- Have your equipment inspected and maintained. Like most equipment, fire suppression systems need proper maintenance from a clean agent fire suppression service. If you have never had one out to inspect your systems, you should because there have been advances to the technology and what you have may not be sufficient to protect your business and employees. It all has to be checked to make sure it is in good working condition.
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and this is really true when it comes to fires. Knowing what to do when one occurs saves lives and helps you avoid injuries or costly damage to your business. With a little work, you can ensure the safety of your staff, customers/clients and your bottom line.
