Between property damage, lost wages, productivity interruptions, and medical expenses, fires cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars every day.
Ignoring fire safety is a costly misstep that can result in devastating property destruction, bankruptcy, severe injuries, and even death. Even if you have fire sprinkler systems and a fire extinguisher handy, there’s no guarantee you can fend off the flames and prevent further calamity.
Here are three big mistakes many businesses make regarding fire protection.
1. Improper (or Nonexistent) Staff Training
Every employee could be equipped with a fire extinguisher in New Jersey offices, but these devices would be nearly useless without proper education and regular training. Your business should have:
- Clear fire protocols and a safety plan
- Evacuation procedures and predetermined gathering areas
- Regular fire drills and re-familiarization with safety plans
- Testing drills with fire safety equipment
When developing a safety plan, consult experts who can help you tailor a plan for your specific situation. A trusted fire safety specialist can also perform a fire risk assessment to see how vulnerable your business is, as well as return periodically to retrain veteran employees and educate new ones.
2. Lack of Quality Fire-Suppression Equipment
Protection systems can keep flames from spreading out of control and even put some fires out completely. For these systems to work, however, proper installation and continued maintenance are required. You’ll need the following:
Fire Extinguishers
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” fire extinguisher. Different types are suited for different kinds of fires:
- Class A: Fires from cloth, wood, paper, and other organic solids
- Class B: Gasoline fires, oil fires, and other flammable liquids
- Class C: Electrical fires
- Class D: Burning metals, such as magnesium or sodium
- Class F: Kitchen fires involving burning fats and cooking oils
What’s more, fire extinguishers eventually expire. Hiring a company to conduct a fire extinguisher inspection in NJ is the best way to ensure that you’re using the right type of extinguishers and that they’re still effective.
Sprinkler Systems
Fire sprinkler systems react instantly to fires, and when functioning properly, can completely extinguish a blaze before it has a chance to spread beyond the room of origin. Consider the following types of sprinkler systems:
- Wet Pipe: Always filled with water; system responds quickly
- Dry Pipe: Slower response as water fills pipes; best for areas where pipes may freeze
- Pre-Action: Two-step activation prevents accidental discharge
- Deluge: Uses open nozzles for fast response and high flow
Each variety of sprinkler has benefits and drawbacks. Business owners should discuss their options with fire suppression experts before choosing a system.
Alarms and Emergency Lighting
Testing your alarm system will ensure that it’s ready in case of an emergency. Inspect all fuses, power supplies, and signal paths. Make sure the alarms are functioning and that none have dead or leaking batteries. Additionally, your emergency lighting system should have new, working bulbs and a connection to emergency power.
3. Blocked or Poorly Marked Exits
It’s easy for employees to get careless and start blocking exit paths. Fire doors are so seldom used that things like chairs, boxes, and trash cans may end up in front of them.
This may not seem like a major issue since these items can easily be moved, but when a panicked mob of people tries to exit all at once, they can trip people up and prevent a swift and efficient escape.
An even bigger issue is when exit doors aren’t clearly marked. Each emergency exit should have clear signage that’s impossible to miss. If a particular exit is lacking a sign, have one installed right away. If the sign has dead bulbs or isn’t connected to the emergency power, get it fixed as soon as possible.
Improve Your Fire-Prevention Efforts With ABC Fire & Safety
Whether you’re due for a fire extinguisher inspection or need to have a fire sprinkler system installed in your building, turn to the experts at ABC Fire & Safety. We’ll work with you to create a reliable fire safety plan, improve your equipment, and provide continuing education for your employees.
Don’t let a fire destroy your business. Contact ABC Fire & Safety today.
