3 Tips for Fire Prevention and Safety in the Office
While fires in an office are rare, they do occur and they can cause a tremendous amount of property damage, not to mention the risk to your staff and their safety. Very often fire prevention measures in an office are simple, but managers and owners rarely think of how to implement these on a daily basis. Consider a few tips for fire safety in any office.
1. Limit the use of heating elements
In an office, it's best to limit or discourage the use of heating elements as these increase the risk of fire. This might include space heaters and mug warmers. Using a space heater can be a fire risk as they themselves might catch fire if they're allowed to burn too hot for too long, and if they have dust and debris built up in the fan or motor. They can also come into contact with papers, drapery, a wood desk, and so forth.
The same is true of mug warmers kept on desks. These might come into contact with papers or other flammable materials and start fires. Regulate the use of these; only allow space heaters in an open area away from drapes, papers, and desks, and dictate that mug warmers can only be used in certain areas or during certain times, so they're not left unattended.
2. Increase the number of fire extinguishers on hand
If a fire were to break out in your office, where is the closest fire extinguisher? Having one nearby can allow an employee to put out the fire quickly so that it doesn't grow and spread. If your extinguishers are only located near the lunchroom, then they are useless to your staff if a fire starts elsewhere. Note that many extinguishers are very small and can be hidden behind a desk or even kept in a drawer. These will increase the safety of your employees in case a fire does start in the office.
3. Take fire prevention courses
A fire prevention course can alert your employees to fire dangers in the office and remind them of the need to remain safe. These courses don't need to be lengthy or expensive; many are available online and you can simply set aside time for each employee to view them. Do this every six months or so and your staff will remain more vigilant when it comes to protecting themselves against the risk of fire in the office. You can learn more about the process by talking to resources like Anthony French Property Maintenance.