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Methods of Increasing Fire Preparedness at Your Business | SERVPRO® of East Nashville, Madison, Goodlettsville
2/21/2020 (Permalink)
When you own a business, you are responsible for planning for many things—but have you thought about planning ahead in case of a fire? A fire can derail a business plan quickly, leaving devastating damage in its wake. If you have not yet thought about what you would do if a fire started on your commercial property, now is the time to consider it.
Having a plan in place is a great tool for keeping your staff safe, protecting your building from a fire and making sure you can recover in the aftermath. Increasing your fire preparedness is not a big-time investment, but it is one that you will certainly be thankful you made should a fire start.
Follow code guidelines and inspection schedules. The fire codes and standards set up by the National Fire Protection Association are a great place to start when boosting your business’ fire plan. Making sure you are inspecting equipment often, keeping fire doors clear and following the other guidelines listed will go a long way in ensuring everything is up to par.
Identify your specific risks. Fires can start for a number of reasons, but it is true that some businesses are more susceptible than others. Businesses with heat-producing equipment or flammable materials may need to take extra precautions against fires, so it is smart to think ahead about what your specific risks could be.
Create (and practice) a fire evacuation plan. If you have employees that work on-site, making sure they are prepared to evacuate when necessary is also smart. Go over the building’s exits, designate someone to call 911 and designate a meeting place for everyone to participate in a headcount safely away from the building after escaping.
Have regular fire safety seminars with staff. You should draft a fire safety tip list for your business, make sure all of your employees have access to it and schedule group training on it frequently. Go over cooking safety, fire extinguisher use and any other relevant tips so everyone is aware of their role in the fire safety process.