There are plenty of threats to businesses around the UK from competitors to cash flow issues but often owners forget to worry about physical threats that could impact your business. An example of these physical risks is fires, which can prove extremely costly and could lead to the downfall of your company.
Of the over 621,500 fire incidents attended by the Fire and Rescue Services, it’s estimated that roughly 20,000 of them took place at commercial premises, so it’s a cause for concern. Commercial fires can be in offices, warehouses and just about any building that a business operates within.
Reducing the risk of a fire may seem like a difficult task but when you put the right equipment and procedures in place, you can mitigate the risk to keep your staff and business safer. So, if you’re a business owner looking to reduce the risk of fires at your company’s premises, read our guide below to learn more.
What causes office fires?
Some of the most common examples of fires in commercial spaces include the following:
- Cooking
- Electrical equipment
- Smoking waste
- Improper machine usage
Can I fireproof my building?
Fireproofing your building can be done in various ways and it can prevent fires from starting or reduce the spread if a blaze does begin. You can fireproof a building by putting fillers and putties like these from RS in crevices to ensure protection or installing sprinklers to put the fire out using water.
How can I reduce the risk of fire in my workplace?
With so many ways a fire can start in an office space, here are some of the best ways to combat some of the more common reasons for fires starting:
- Don’t overload power sockets – electrical fires can be started when plug points are overworked, so ensure only the necessary plugs are switched on at any one time.
- Check electrical equipment regularly – old or faulty electronic devices can cause fires, so get them inspected by a professional frequently to make sure none are at risk of starting a fire.
- Create a designated smoking area – cigarettes can cause fires if they’re incorrectly disposed of near your business. To prevent this from happening, create a designated smoking area outside the building with the correct bins to dispose of the cigarettes.
- Train your staff – some fires are caused by staff members not knowing what to avoid. Arrange training from fire safety professionals to warn employees of the consequences and what they should avoid doing.
- Test your fire alarms – detecting the fire early may help the emergency services get to you quicker and put out the fire before too much damage is caused. That’s why testing your alarms is a must, so you can trust them to let you know when a fire occurs.