Essential Tips: How To Prevent a Fire at Work

If you run a business then you will understand the need to have a very strong policy when it comes to fire safety. The damage that a fire can do to a business is not limited to the physical damage to the building and its contents, but it can also be incredibly damaging to the bottom line. Restoration work will take time and during that time trading will take a massive hit, if it doesn’t have to cease altogether.

Fireservice Disaster Kleenup are here to help you if the unthinkable happens but we would much rather you didn’t need us at all. So here are the essential tips to help you prevent a fire at work.

1. Keep Everything Neat and Tidy

If the place of work is cluttered you are putting everyone in it at risk. Not only can it prevent access to emergency equipment and exits if a fire (or another emergency) happens, but it also provides fuel for fires. Keeping your workplace tidy is a very easy way for you to prevent a fire at work.

2. Follow Best Practice For Storage and Use of Chemicals

This should be something everyone follows without really thinking, but too many people don’t take it seriously. You must always read the label in order to assess the flammability or a substance and follow any instructions it gives you in regards to storage. It is vitally important that you store all substances in an area with good ventilation and that you take extra care in potentially explosive atmospheres.

3. Provide Smoking Areas

If you have people who smoke in your workplace it is recommended that you have a designated smoking area. Ensure that smokers are using these areas and not smoking in areas which may cause a fire risk in the building. You also need to ensure that staff are fully extinguishing their cigarettes before they leave the area.

4. Regularly Check Fire Extinguishers

What’s the point of having fire extinguishers if you don’t know whether they work or not? Look at the gauges to ensure that they are fully charged and ready for use. If they aren’t fully charged or the last inspection took place over than a month ago, call for maintenance. This is vitally important, you don’t want to find out there’s something wrong with them when it is too late.

5. Regular Maintenance

The electrical equipment in your office is likely to be one of the main causes of a fire in your office. Keeping these machines fully maintained may be best way for you to avoid a massive disaster. Regular maintenance will prevent a fire at work starting due to a machine overheating or friction sparks.

Conclusion

These tips may appear to be very simple, but how many of them do you already do on a regular basis. Many businesses will not do any of these things at all, which means that they are putting themselves at risk of a fire. If you want to prevent a fire at work you need to start carrying out these tips straight away.

Unfortunately, despite many people’s best efforts – fire’s still do occur. If you can’t prevent a fire then you know that you can call Fireservice Disaster Kleenup 24/7, 365 days a year to help restore your office to its former glory.