subject: Preventing Office Fires [print this page] Office fires are something that no business owner ever wants to experience. In some cases, these situations are unavoidable; however, there are often many instances where an office fire could have easily been prevented.
Electrical issues are often the cause of office fires. Electrical safety is so important, not only for your business but for your staff as well. It is up to you, the business owner, to ensure your premises uses safe and approved electrical circuits, cords and equipment. If you have any outlets or items that are worn out, frayed, broken or loose, it is essential that they cease to be used immediately and are replaced. If any equipment seems to be faulty, unplug it, cut the cord so it can no longer be used and discard it appropriately. Many companies now nominate a team member to conduct regular checks on electrical equipment and also employ a certified electrician to check and authorise all items.
Evacuation procedures are imperative to any fire safety plan. Firstly, new team members must be taken through the fire exits and safety plans to ensure that in the event of a fire, they are well aware of what must be done to remain safe. The next step in a fire safety plan is to conduct regular fire drills. Many offices do these, although people often dont take them seriously. The best way to effectively complete a fire drill is to not tell anyone that it is a practise run. Staff who do not comply with the drill or show signs of not following procedures should be taken through the fire drill procedures again to make sure they understand the process and its importance. Many companies also nominate employees to act as fire marshals or wardens to help evacuate the building safely.
While it is up to the staff to follow procedure, it is up to the business and property owner to ensure that all emergency exits are unobstructed. This means that nothing can be placed (permanent or temporary) in the way of the exit and the exit must always be in working order. In addition to this, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers must be maintained and be easily accessible to staff members in case of an emergency.
Heat generating equipment such as kettles, microwaves, computers, toasters and photocopiers are often the cause of many fires in the workplace. Not only are they electrical, but pile the heat generation factor on top of that and it soon starts to make for a dangerous combination. To avoid these types of fires, keep all combustible items (like paper, ink toner, etc) far away from this equipment and if anything appears to be broken or worn, remove it so it cannot be used by staff.
Fire safety is an important part of any business and should never be taken lightly. By developing and maintaining a fire safety plan, your business and more importantly, your staff will be safe from harm. Finally, buying appropriate business insurance will give you that peace of mind that if your company does succumb to a fire, youll not have to worry about the financial impact a fire can have.
