How to Prevent Fire Hazards in Workplaces: Check these Tips

Fire protection has always been an essential aspect of facility management. Every business or organization with a physical working environment must have health and safety precautions in place, including safeguards for potential fires and how they are handled.

Fremont, CA: According to government statistics, the number of workplace fires has increased sixfold in the decade leading up to March 2020, indicating that workplace fire safety is a growing concern. But where should businesses concentrate their efforts?

As businesses welcome workers back to the workplace, here are five tips for preventing fire hazards and creating a safer environment for all.

Fire Alarm

Fire alarms are the first line of defense in the event of a fire, so they must be maintained or replaced as needed. Because many workplaces have been left unattended due to remote working, now is the ideal time to test fire alarms, encouraging employees to return to work.

Refresh Your Fire Safety Education

Fire safety training can take many forms, including what to do in a true emergency, fire fighting procedures, and false alarm procedures. However, what to do in an actual fire emergency is arguably one of the most important things to know when working somewhere. To save lives, everyone must know where the emergency exits are, how to behave during an emergency, and where to gather when outside the premises.

Consider Waste and Other Materials Storage

The safe storage of waste and other flammable materials can aid in the prevention of fire spread if one occurs. Highly combustible materials and recyclables, such as paper and cardboard, should be kept away from potential fire ignition sources, such as heaters or electronics. Maintaining these materials in a designated safe storage area reduces the possibility of catching fire and starting a fire. However, any accumulation of these materials is also hazardous, so storage levels should be checked regularly and cleared whenever possible.

Upkeep of Equipment and Machinery

Faulty electrical equipment is one of the leading causes of workplace fires, so it's critical for businesses to keep their gear organized and maintained to reduce the risk of a dangerous fault developing.

The main issue is loose wires and cables, especially when entangled with another wiring.

Ensure That Fire Exits are Kept in Good Working Order

Emergency fire exit doors are also critical pieces of equipment, which means they must be adequately maintained to ensure that they function as intended. For example, is the fire door opened and closed as needed? As fire exits, are they easily visible? Is it simple to get to them?

When not in use, fire exit doors must always be adequately shut and should never be propped open to ventilate a room. If the door does not close properly, a problem must be fixed.