6 ways to help prepare your facility for a fire emergency

6 ways to help prepare your facility for a fire emergency

Fire is a universal threat to any business. No matter the location, no matter the industry, no matter the time of year, the threat of a fire is always lurking - and the costs can be debilitating.

In fact, there were around 118,000 fires at non-residential buildings in 2023, causing more than $3 billion in property damages, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). That means the average fire at a non-residential building caused about $25,000 in damages.

There are plenty of steps that businesses can take to help prevent a fire emergency. But no prevention method is completely failsafe - so your business needs to be ready to act in the event of an emergency.

Consider the following tips to ensure your facility is ready to respond to a fire emergency:

1. Know your facility's risks

Any property manager or building owner will tell you that it's important to know your facility like the back of your hand. That also applies to the unique risks your building faces. Are there flammable liquids or combustible chemicals on site? Is there specialized electrical equipment that could pose a hazard? Take note of these items and ensure they're stored in proper containers and in an appropriate place that will mitigate the risk of combustion.

2. Regularly inspect fire extinguishers

Extinguishers can be the first line of defense against a fire, so it's important that each unit in the building is regularly testing and inspected. Maintain each extinguisher annually per applicable manufacturer and code standards and perform monthly inspections to help ensure each extinguisher will operate properly in the event of a fire.

3. Conduct staff training

Fire prevention tools are only as useful as the people who are using them - and many have little to no experience. According to a Cintas study , only about 25% of American adults have ever used a fire extinguisher - and of those who have used an extinguisher, only two-thirds received formal instruction. Conduct thorough, hands-on training with your team using the extinguisher models in your facility to help prepare them for an emergency. A local fire department or an area fire protection company may be able to assist in training your staff.

4. Test emergency and exit lighting

You may not notice it as you go about your day, but emergency and exit lighting can help save lives. These lights can mark a path to safety if smoke compromises visibility and can provide confidence as people try to exit a building during an emergency.

Employers are also required by OSHA to include emergency lighting and exit signs in their buildings. Signs must have adequate illumination, immediately activate during a power failure and be able to operate for at least 90 minutes. Failure to do so could result in fines of at least $16,000 per violation.

Regularly testing emergency and exit lighting can help ensure your backup lighting will function when needed, assisting customers and staff in navigating and exiting a building during a fire.

5. Examine sprinkler systems

Sprinkler systems are an extremely effective way to prevent a small fire from spreading. According to the NFPA, sprinklers were able to confine a blaze to the room in which the sprinklers operated in 94% of fires occurring between 2017 and 2021.

But sprinkler systems alone won't cut it. These complex and intricate systems need to be well-maintained and regularly tested to ensure they operate properly and meet local codes. The NFPA reports that between 2017 and 2021, there was an estimated average of nearly 800 fires a year where sprinkler systems failed to operate, so ongoing maintenance and regular inspections are critical.

6. Inspect fire alarms

Fire safety starts with fire detection, and a functioning alarm system can help facility personnel to detect fires earlier and potentially minimize damage. Regular tests and inspections along with integrated alarm monitoring can help ensure your equipment is functioning properly and ready for an emergency.

Looking for ways to safeguard your facility from fire threats? Visit our Fire Protection webpage or reach out to a rep for more information.