Here are our tips for planning a fire evacuation for your business.
As a business owner, you know how important it is to expect the unexpected. But when it comes to fire safety, an emergency can come out of nowhere and without a proper fire plan, your employees and customers alike can be left struggling in the chaos. Being prepared for a safe and orderly fire evacuation can seem like a tall task, especially for businesses in larger buildings. But no matter the industry, it’s crucial to have a fire evacuation plan in place for your business in order to maintain comprehensive fire safety measures that will keep your employees, and your business, safe in an emergency. Here are our tips for planning a fire evacuation for your business.
Plan for Multiple Scenarios
There are certain places in any building that fires are most likely to start. A break room kitchen, an office using a space heater, outside the building in an area prone to wildfires, and more. Know the major risks of your building in order to be prepared for a number of potential fire hazards. This will help you and your employees to be better prepared for a safe evacuation in case of a fire.
Establish Roles
In any work environment, you’ll want to establish roles and responsibilities in case of an emergency. On a volunteer basis, find leaders in your business who will be able to execute your fire safety plan during an emergency when tensions are high, taking on roles such as a fire warden for planning, route guides for guiding the crowds, and floor monitors who exit last. Having these roles and rehearsing your fire plan will help your employees know who to look to for guidance during an evacuation.
Map Your Plan
A map of your building’s floor plan is good to have on each floor of your business. Marking these maps with primary and secondary escape routes will help familiarize employees with the fire safety plan and offer guidance in case of confusion in an actual emergency. Make sure the routes you choose can accommodate the number of people who would be evacuating your business.
Rehearse Evacuation
Fire drills are key to any fire safety plan. Regularly inspect your tools, such as fire extinguishers, alarms, and emergency lighting, and make sure to run through your fire plan with all employees on a regular basis. Rehearsing your fire evacuation will minimize confusion in the event of an actual fire and help employees become familiar with safety procedures to ensure a safe and orderly evacuation during an emergency.
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.