Fire Safety Tips to Keep Your Commercial Property Safe

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Coppell and West Addison provides information on how simple fire safety tips can reduce the risk of fires in commercial properties.

SERVPRO of Coppell and West Addison, TX, is a fire restoration company that also provides water damage restoration and commercial cleaning services for residential and commercial properties. The company assists commercial property owners after emergencies and understands how devastating these incidents can be to a business. While SERVPRO provides excellent commercial damage restoration services, prevention will always be the better option. The best place to start with fire prevention is with OHSA guidelines and by following several commercial fire safety tips for business properties.

Five Tips to Reduce Fire Risks in Commercial Buildings

#1 Maintain Fire Safety Equipment

Fire equipment like fire alarms, extinguishers, and sprinklers need regular maintenance and replacement. Extinguishers have an expiration date, and battery-powered fire alarms need regular replacing as well.

It’s best to have a dedicated maintenance schedule that includes formal inspections and smaller independent evaluations throughout the year. Assigning one or two days of the year to fire equipment maintenance ensures that in the event of a fire, the relevant equipment performs as expected.

#2 Conduct Regular Employee Training

Some workplaces contain hazards that can contribute to the formation of fires. Labs may work with flammable chemicals, while kitchens are notorious for regular outbreaks. Employee training can reduce the incidence of fires as employees learn the importance of following safety procedures and understand workplace safety guidelines.

#3 Develop an Evacuation Strategy

An evacuation strategy is an essential part of any commercial building’s overall safety strategy. It ensures that everyone can exit the building safely in the event of a fire or other emergency.

The emergency plan should include clearly marked exits and escape routes. It’s also a good idea to put evacuation maps in high-traffic areas, stairwells, and the main walkways in the building.

#4 Keep a Clean Space

Untidy workspaces are a massive safety hazard. Not only are employees more likely to trip and fall in cluttered workplaces, but they will also struggle to exit during a fire. Fire extinguishers may be difficult to reach, and sprinklers may struggle to penetrate through the clutter to the fire itself.

Clutter can also contribute to the spread of a fire, which is why it’s vital to work with commercial cleaning services and practice good housekeeping at all times. If a business works with hazardous materials, these should also be stored and disposed of according to OHSA guidelines.

#5 Avoid Electrical Hazards

Electrical fires are a common cause of commercial property fires. Defective wiring and overloaded circuits are vulnerable to shorts, which will result in sparks and eventually lead to full-blown electrical fires.

In terms of firefighting, electrical fires are some of the most difficult to put out. Many of the worst fire restoration jobs SERVPRO technicians face are due to electrical fires. Older buildings, in particular, often have poor wiring and overloaded outlets, which may need replacing by a qualified electrician.

About the Company

SERVPRO of Coppell and West Addison provides 24/7 emergency water, fire, and storm damage restoration to business owners in the North Dallas area. The company hires highly trained restoration technicians that use advanced restoration techniques and modern cleaning equipment to bring buildings back to their original state.

Call (972) 233-8400 or email SERVPROofcoppellandwestaddison@gmail.com for more information about SERVPRO commercial damage restoration in Coppell and West Addison, TX.