6 Ways to Minimize the Risk of Fires at Your Business

Unfortunately, business fires are not uncommon across the United States. The National Fire Protection Association says that from 2017 to 2021, U.S. fire departments responded to an annual average of around 36,784 fires at manufacturing or industrial properties.

Unfortunately, the associated annual losses from these incidents included 22 civilian fatalities, 211 civilian injuries, and $1.5 billion in property damage.

Considering that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, here are six ways to minimize the risk of fires at your business.

1. Install Sprinkler System

Installing a sprinkler system is a must. While taking measures to avoid problems is essential, having a sprinkler system to put out any fires is a must-have. You might not even have a choice in the matter.

If you already have one installed, ensure it’s maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Remember, as well, that the sprinkler system is only as strong as its weakest components. So, when inspecting it, don’t cut costs by ignoring the need to replace parts or remove the sprinkler system altogether and replace it with something more effective.

If the inspector suggests that the pump motor in your sprinkler system has seen better days and should be replaced, don’t throw good money after bad by trying to fix it. Invest in a quality replacement that’ll give you years of reliable service.

2. Ensure Equipment Is Accessible

It’s also important to ensure that your fire prevention equipment is easy to access with nothing blocking any parts of the system.

For instance, if things are obstructing the sprinkler system or blocking access to the fire extinguishers, that’s a problem. In an emergency, those issues could be the difference between a fire being put out quickly and a fire destroying your property and endangering the lives of workers, management, and customers.

So, be mindful about where things are stored and ensure nothing is impeding access to the equipment you’re counting on in case there’s a fire at your place of business.

3. Prioritize Regular Maintenance

Don’t overlook routine maintenance of your fire safety system whether sprinklers, fire extinguishers, or other things you have on the premises. Your entire system should be up to code and in good shape. Booking regular maintenance calls is your key to having a safe fire protection system you can rely on if the worst-case scenario of a fire materializes.

4. Avoid Clutter

Clutter won’t just make the work environment unsafe. It can also increase the risk of fires. If people in the workplace aren’t mindful of where things are stored, they might put them in the wrong areas. That can be an issue if things are stored too close to heat-generating equipment, which might increase the risks of combustion and fires. Slaying the clutter problem can help prevent these issues and keep your business space safer.

5. Assign a Designated Smoking Area

It’s best to assign a space for smokers in your company that’s outside and a safe distance from your building. You don’t want to take chances that could increase the risk of fires at work.

6. Educate Workers About Fire Safety

Even the best fire protection program will be all for naught if you don’t achieve employee buy-in. Workers should know the best practices for avoiding fires and understand what to do should a fire break out.

It might be worth conducting fire drills to ensure your employees know exactly what to do if there’s a fire in the building.

While it’s best to avoid business fires, it’s essential to focus on what to do if there’s an issue despite your best efforts. Even so, putting these six points into practice can greatly reduce fire risks.