Protect Your Small Business from Fires

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

Even a small fire at your commercial property can cause lots of damage and put your continued operation at risk. Here are ways to prevent that.

The last decade has seen a 5% growth in fires in nonresidential buildings, according to a 2018 report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This increase in commercial fires has been costly, as they have been accompanied by a 36% growth in insurance claims.

So, while large, sudden disasters like wildfires are a real reason for concern, a fire of any size or origin—if not caught and extinguished quickly—can at a minimum interrupt your business, and at worst, destroy your commercial property and potentially put you out of business entirely.

Know How Small Business Fires Start

If you know how, where and why a commercial fire is most likely to start, you’re better prepared to prevent one. These are the most common sources of commercial property fires, followed by steps you can take to help prevent them.

Cooking Equipment (29%)

• Clean office kitchen areas daily.
• Ban hot plates.
• Have stoves, ovens and other cooking equipment serviced at least annually by a qualified technician.      

Electrical Equipment (12%)

• Make it a regular practice to inspect appliance cords and check light fixtures, bulbs and displays for visible signs for damage.
• Unless absolutely necessary, don’t use extension cords.
• Keep trash cans, paper, cardboard boxes and other combustible materials away from outlets, panel boxes or other heat-producing electrical equipment.

Heating Equipment (11%)

• Don’t use portable space heaters.
• Keep combustible materials at least three feet from boilers, furnaces and other heating units.
• Have your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment serviced by a qualified technician at least annually and before each seasonal startup.

Arson (10%)

• Light all areas of the property, including parking lots and garages.
• Establish a security program that controls access to your building. If appropriate, arrange for a security guard to make rounds of your facility.

Smoking (5%)

• Prohibit smoking in the building.
• Place non-combustible containers outside exterior doors for disposal of smoking materials.
• Install smoke detection equipment in bathrooms, closets and other areas that may be used for unauthorized smoking.

The Fundamentals of Fire Prevention

Follow these essential fire prevention steps, just as you would at your home, to be prepared in case a fire does break out at your commercial building.

• Equip your building with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers that meet local and state regulations.
• Test detectors and extinguishers regularly, change batteries annually and replace equipment if it is defective or approaching its end of life.
• Document evacuation procedures, communicate them and hold regular emergency drills.

If a fire strikes your small business, call a professional disaster recovery company like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to help you recover quickly and completely. SERVPRO is also an expert in remediating the water and smoke damage that often accompanies a fire.

If your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

If your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791