Fire Safety 101: Tips How to Prevent Fire at Work

Workplace fires and explosions cost companies money for property damages and workers’ compensation claims. They are the highest rate of accidents at work. Workplace safety is usually a subject that does not receive almost as much attention as it needs, that is, until a fire or other accident occurs. However, in most cases, fires at the workplace can be prevented or stopped before they cause too much damage – especially when proper fire detection devices have been installed. Here are useful guidelines that can help avoid fires from happening in operating conditions.

Tips to Prevent Fire at Work

Keep Your Office Clean

Trash not only makes it more difficult to execute everyday duties at the workplace; it can hinder quick access to fire escapes or other emergency exits and even intensify the already ignited fire. As a result, it is advised that the cluster be held to an absolute minimum, no matter what type of work environment.

Avoid Faulty Electrics

Maintaining machines and electrical appliances in proper working condition can go a fair way towards avoiding fires at work since it eliminates the risk of overheating, unprotected sparks or short circuits happening. Employees do not try to fix electronic goods unless they are appropriately trained to do so. Any possible electrical risks or malfunctions should also be reported immediately.

Faulty energy is a frequent cause of fire in non-domestic properties. Almost every workplace uses a type of electrical equipment – all of which have a source of ignition. 

Loose or frayed cables, faulty or missing connectors, overflowing sockets or old, defective appliances are tempting to cause a fire and should not be overlooked. One stray spark might set a rug or table on, or a tossed piece of paper or cardboard might make its way next to an overheated plug ready to combust the first fuel object it touches.

• Do not exceed any specified voltages or voltages. 
• Ensure that the machinery is mounted properly and routinely inspected by customers and qualified persons for defects.
• Inspect that the socket is not crowded, overheated or shortened. 
• Test for defective or damaged wiring. 
• Check for connectors that are rattling or loose covers. 
• Keep fuel items, e.g. paper, cloth and plastics, away from electrical appliances. 

Keep Fire Protection Equipment Accessible

Ensure all of your fire protection equipment (— for example, fire extinguishers, control panels, etc.) are readily available. Also, do not block fire sprinklers or fire alarms with anything like dust, debris or paint. You wouldn’t want to interfere with the capabilities of your equipment.

Dispose Waste Properly

Dispose of any hazardous waste in a steel container with a lid. Toxic waste can cover everything from oils to chemicals. In order to prevent fire hazards, even flammable and combustible materials should be disposed of properly.

Sprinkler Systems & Smoke Detectors

Never obstruct sprinklers, firefighters or emergency exits. Identify clearances when the materials are stacked. Trying to test sprinklers and smoke detectors at least yearly.

Keep Easy Access to All Control Panels and Fire Alarm Equipment

Entry to all electrical panels must be kept fully clean and free of clutter, equipment, equipment and other objects. Failure to do so will lead to a long shutdown of these systems in the event of an emergency. Keeping fire alarm equipment free will make sure that it is able to operate properly in the event of a fire.

Assign a Designated Smoking Area

There should be a dedicated smoking area that is a reasonable distance from the house. Also, make sure you have ashtrays or other healthy ways for people to correctly extinguish and discard their cigarettes. This will help to keep the building safe from unintended fires sparked by lit cigarettes.

Have an Emergency Plan

Emergency and rescue preparations are necessary to avoid additional damage or complications in the event of a fire. It’s crucial that if anyone wants to call for assistance, they know what to do, how to quickly locate the address of the house, and what the next steps might be. Fire prevention is almost as critical after a fire has already begun because it will reduce the likelihood of spread, which can lead to further damage.

Store Chemicals Responsibly

It is important to make sure the employees who use chemical materials have read and accepted the guidelines involved with their proper use. When storing any chemical-based compounds, they should be kept in places that are not only well ventilated, but that does not get too humid. No open flames should be allowed in the storage and use areas.

Regularly Check the Fire Alarm Systems

Far too many fires start every year in the office as a result of malfunctioning of fire alarm systems. Code standards mandate that all fire warning systems and smoke detectors be checked on a monthly basis. This will help you to plan repair or maintenance work on damaged units until they present a fire hazard.

Building Security

Arson is one of the major sources of house and building fires. That’s why investing in building safety is so important. Building occupants should know how to lock the building behind them, and they should know how to report suspicious activity or if they see a little something off.

Reminders to Prevent Fire at Work

It’s easy to forget the dangers posed by fire if we don’t really see them occur; we make sure a fire doesn’t happen in our office. Yet office fires are more frequent than some can know, and more often than not they are triggered by an error that could have been easily avoided. Businesses also cannot completely recover from a burn. 

Don’t let the office be part of the numbers. Don’t let incompetence be the demise of the organisation. Familiarize yourself with the prevalent causes of fire and fire prevention responsibilities so that you can be proactive in avoiding fires on a regular basis.