Whether it’s caused by flammable materials, arson or mother nature, fire can pose a devastating threat to your commercial property. Indeed, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) there were 481,500 structure fires in the United States in 2019, causing $12.3 billion in property damage.1
Knowing the risks and having a fire prevention plan can make the difference between continuing business operations and financial collapse.
Fire threats are omnipresent for business owners, but technology, training, and preparedness can help lessen the loss associated with fires. Consider the following when developing a fire prevention plan:
1. Install and maintain a fire detection system: Modern technology can help prevent fires or limit the destruction caused by an ensuing fire so make sure to find the right system for your business:
2. Manage hot work hazards: Preventing hot work fires requires careful implementation and enforcement of a written Hot Work Safety Program. Management should designate a hot work Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI), who is trained in hot work safety measures and is responsible for issuing permits.
3. Pre-fire planning: Good pre-fire planning gives the fire department better situational awareness as they can refer to your plan at the time of an emergency. But how does a company create a best-in-class pre-fire plan?
4. Business continuity planning: A business continuity plan provides a framework for returning to normalcy following a disaster. It is a key tool in protecting business revenues, your company's reputation, recovery costs, and even people’s lives. It generally covers the following key areas. Make sure your plan includes emergency response procedures for fires.
1 Insurance Information Institute, Facts & Statistics: Fire
2 South Dakota State University. “Large, high-intensity forest fires will increase.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 April 2017.
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