No business owner wants to think about a fire destroying their building and assets — or, even worse, injuring staff or customers. Considering the implications of such an event is not pleasant, but it is vital to address fire safety and prevention. When business owners take an active role in fire safety for their business, it improves the safety of everyone involved.
Most commercial building fires are preventable. A comprehensive fire safety system also helps reduce fire damage when fires occur.
Building fire safety systems will include preventative measures, early alerts, and quick interventions. In addition, safety protocols for employees and customers must also be part of the plan. These systems must be in place at all times. Frequent testing and evaluation ensure the effectiveness of your safety system.
The dangers of neglecting building fire safety systems
Commercial buildings must have a comprehensive fire safety system in place to prevent, detect, and minimise the risk of fire. This system must be tested and improved regularly so that you know it works.
Examples of fire safety systems include:
- Working smoke and fire detectors and alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- Sprinkler systems
- Fire exits and escapes
- A cohesive evacuation and fire safety plan
All of these systems must comply with local laws and be in good working order at all times. Fire inspectors may cite a business that is not in compliance, resulting in hefty fines. Fire system maintenance avoids this expensive issue.
Causes of poor fire safety systems
The problem, of course, is complacency. People get busy, and things happen. Fire safety gets put on the back burner, so to speak, and months and even years can go by with little or no thought to the building fire safety systems that are in place.
Other factors can influence fire safety, such as:
- Outdated equipment and electrical systems
- Poor building and landscaping maintenance
- Improperly marked fire exits and escapes
- Regular maintenance helps catch these issues early on.
Another consideration is change. Businesses may undergo management changes, and buildings may change configuration or setup. If your business grows and the number of staff or customers increases, it's essential to reevaluate your fire safety plan. Unfortunately, these things can slip through the cracks.
The cost of being out of compliance
The consequences of complacency are severe. Even a small, no-injury fire can be financially disastrous to your business. Smoke, water, and chemicals can destroy inventory and equipment. In addition, the damage to your building may cost thousands of dollars to repair. Even the resulting downtime or business closures can cost the company a considerable amount of money.
Lawsuits are another danger and are often the result of non-compliance. If non-compliance is proven, you could be financially liable for lost time, lost product, damages, lost wages, injuries, or worse. In the event of injury or death, the consequences are even more severe.
For these reasons, maintaining commercial building fire safety systems is a vital component of your best practices.
The benefits of regular maintenance
Regular maintenance of your fire safety systems helps you identify problems before they become disasters. Maintenance includes:
- Checking to ensure alarms are in good working order
- Ensuring fire extinguishers are working and up to date
- Sprinklers work correctly when triggered
But there is more to fire safety than just equipment. Regular maintenance should also include a thorough evaluation of your fire safety protocols. Inspections can identify issues that could increase the risk of fires or hazards associated with fires.
Some examples would be blocked exits, reduced access to fire extinguishers or other equipment, or a lack of clear evacuation plans. These are all things that should be evaluated regularly.
Legal requirements for commercial building fire safety
You must have a clear understanding of the legal requirements for commercial building fire safety in your area. Fire codes and compliance are your responsibility, and in the event of a fire, ignorance of legal requirements and compliance is not taken into consideration.
Working with professionals
If adding commercial building fire safety systems to your to-do list sounds overwhelming, there are options. Why risk being caught unaware of code compliance or missing an important aspect of fire safety when you can hire qualified, knowledgeable professionals to handle it for you?
This is ideal for several reasons. First, it saves you time and money. Regular maintenance of your fire safety systems also means you catch problems before they become expensive or disastrous.
Regular building maintenance is key in fire prevention. This is especially true with electrical systems and landscaping maintenance. So many commercial fires could have been prevented had there been regular maintenance of the building and grounds.
Hiring an outside building maintenance company helps your business run more efficiently and safely. This is a smart choice when it comes to saving time, saving money, and running your business safely and efficiently.
Contact First Response Maintenance Solutions to learn more about our services. Find out how we can help your business stay safe, compliant, and running smoothly.