Maintaining your fire prevention equipment is essential, so what should you do?
Building owners and property managers have plenty of things to worry about on a daily basis. Chances are, your commercial building houses more than business, and even a three-floor building can host more than one company on each floor. Fire hazards are present in even the most unexpected places – for instance, you would think that a copier or coffee maker would be less of a problem than industrial equipment in a factory or oxygen tanks in a hospital. Here are some fire prevention tips all building owners and property managers should follow.
Monitor Potential Issues
First of all, remember that constant vigilance is your best defense against any risk of fire. Your office equipment is vital to the success of your organization, so make sure you don’t rely on outdated equipment with stripped wires. Electrical fires can be caused by computers, printers, copiers, and scanners. You also have to keep an eye on other appliances such as electric furnaces and air conditioning units. If you own a restaurant, bar, or commercial kitchen, make sure your employees aren’t careless when they cook and that they use vent hoods to prevent the open cooking fires from going out of control.
Maintain Your Equipment
When did you have your fire sprinklers inspected? They are your first line of defense against fires in your workplace. Maintaining your fire prevention equipment is essential, so make sure that the following are in excellent condition:
- Smoke detectors and alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- First aid kits
- Flashlights
Practice Evacuation Plans
Practicing evacuation plans at home with your family in case of a fire emergency is always a good idea. Likewise, don’t put off doing the same with your employees at work. Make sure the safest escape routes are posted in well-lit areas at eye-level. You should also arrange a meeting place near your building but far enough away to keep everyone safe in case the fire should spread. That way you can take a headcount and verify that everyone escaped in a timely fashion. Although you thought fire drills were only necessary on school campuses, you’ll need to plan one for your commercial campus at least once or twice a year as well, especially if you moved premises and have set up shop in a differently-sized building than before.
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience in designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.