There are around 80,000 commercial fires in the United States
every year. These cause approximately
Here are the top causes of commercial fires and ways to
prepare for a fire emergency:
Common Causes
It is important to know how and where most commercial
fires start, so you can try to prevent them. Common causes are:
·
Cooking: Typically caused by employees cooking
places other than the kitchen
·
Electrical: Usually caused by violations of
electrical codes or an overloaded system
·
Heaters/Boilers: Occurs when they are not
maintained properly
·
Smoking: Workers smoking in undesignated areas
·
Arson: Usually happens in unused buildings
·
Storage: Storing flammable materials improperly
Preparing the Workplace
Here are steps to ensure the workplace is safe and easy
to evacuate:
·
Have fire safety equipment including: fire
extinguishers, emergency
escape ladders (second floor and above), fire blankets, signage showing
this equipment, and the evacuation path
·
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
·
Put in a sprinkler system
·
Have kitchen hoods with fire extinguishing
capabilities
·
Install an alarm system with lights and sound
·
Have emergency lighting
Preparing the Workers
Training is crucial in preparing workers to deal with a
fire. Employees need to be reminded annually of emergency procedures. Topics to
cover when training workers:
·
Places where cooking is allowed
·
Location of designated smoking areas
·
Proper storage procedures
·
Location of fire safety equipment and proper use
of each
·
Operation of fire extinguishers and other fire
safety equipment
·
Exit routes in all parts of the building and
location of all exits
·
Shutdown procedures
·
Type and location of fire hazards in the
building
·
Where to meet outside
When the fire
alarm activates:
·
Leave the building quickly
·
Do not use elevators in a fire
·
Feel a door before you open it
·
Stop, drop and roll if your clothes catch fire
·
If there is smoke, lower your body
·
Never re-enter until given the all clear
