Were you aware that workplace fires are responsible for more than $1.9 billion in property damage annually?
And many of these fires might have easily been avoided by taking one straightforward measure: regular fire safety inspections.
Fire safety is no longer about mere recommendation, but necessity. In this post, we’ll be covering the need of regular fire safety inspections for your business and what you need to inspect, as well as the potential hazards of neglecting these inspections.
The Importance of Fire Safety Inspections
Scheduled fire safety checks are a way to discover hidden fire hazards. Even small problems — such as faulty wiring or blocked exit routes — can escalate rapidly.
You can save lives, protect property and keep your business running seamlessly when you take a proactive approach. The aim is to nip potential dangers in the bud before they become emergencies.
Fire Inspections help businesses maintain compliance with local and federal fire safety regulations. Checks of this nature will allow your business to remain within the confines of the law and help protect your employees as well as avoid the embarrassment and legal wrangling of noncompliance.
Pro Tip: Inspections might even reduce your insurance premiums as insurers like businesses that take steps to prevent disasters.
With an emphasis on fire safety, you will offer both the assurances of safety to employees and customers and also, a safer place to work in. From it employees are made to have confidence in their work to minimise the likelihood of fire.
What to Check During Fire Safety Inspections
Fire Extinguishers
Make sure fire extinguishers are available, the pressure gauge is in the green and the inspection tags are current every month.
What To Do: Actionable Tip- Put a reminder once every month to go through all your fire extinguishers with your team. This little bit of work will ensure they’re ready when you need them most.
Smoke Detectors and Alarms
Test alarms to ensure they are functioning. Verify battery life and that detectors are installed in safe locations.
Actionable Tip: Check your smoke alarms monthly. An alarm that actually works can be very useful in an emergency.
Exit Routes and Emergency Evacuation Plans
All exits must be unobstructed, accessible and identified as such. Emergency evacuation plans should be current.
Actionable Tip: Practice your evacuation plan with your team every six months and do regular fire drills so everyone knows how to react to a fire.
Electrical Systems, Wiring and Extension Cords
Extension cords are intended for temporary use only and should not be used in place of permanent wiring. Select the appropriate cord that is rated to provide the needed power for your device or tool (electrical requirements of our tools can be found on the specification chart).
Only use indoor cords indoors. Check cords for signs of wear, such as frayed wires, broken insulation or loose plugs. When cords are damaged, they should be discarded. Never quintuple extension cords because this can cause overheat, which can lead to fire.
Actionable Tip: Look for wear and tear, exposed wires, or overloaded circuits—electrical problems are a common cause of fires.
Space Heaters
Keep space heaters at least three feet from combustible items like paper, curtains and furniture. Only use heaters that have auto shut off. Unattended: Never leave your space heater on unattended.
Pro Tip: Designate a team member to do a monthly electrical safety check which includes checking your wiring, extension cords, and outlets. Ensure workers report bad cords or other unsafe electrical practices as soon as possible.
Fire Sprinkler Systems
Check to see that no objects block the path of your sprinklers and that they are functioning correctly.
Actionable Tip: Schedule professional fire sprinkler inspections annually to make sure they will work when an emergency situation arises.
Hazardous Materials Storage
Keep flammable materials and those liable or prone to combustion away from sources of heat.
Actionable Tip: Review your Storing Hazardous Materials procedures in order to reduce potential fire hazards on an ongoing basis. Well-marked storage bins and good inventory control ensure things are in their place so an accident isn’t more likely to happen.
Inspections should be performed by a certified professional at least once a year, but there are smaller checks that should be done even more often.
NFS Tip: Schedule monthly, quarterly and annual inspections on a regular calendar to help keep track. This makes certain no concerns fall through the cracks and you are compliant in the workplace.
Routine vs. Comprehensive Inspections
This is a monthly examination that you can conduct on your own to see if there are any easy-to-see problems, such as fire extinguishers, and alarm batteries. Full scale audits (yearly) are deeper dives into your systems and infrastructure.
NFS Tip: Have detailed inspections scheduled in advance to make sure everything gets checked. Professional inspectors will recognize hidden dangers that you may not even notice.
Responsibilities of Professional Fire Safety Inspectors
Expertise in Identifying Risks
Certified inspectors are taught to find fire hazards that others might overlook. Their use of cutting-edge equipment and methods allow them to inspect your systems and structures, confirming that your fire safety compliance aligns with industry standards.
Cost-Saving Benefits
Routine professional inspections save you headaches, wasted money and even risks of fines and insurance claims. The quicker you can detect and address problems the more money you will save your business – whether from actual fires or the cost of fines!
Pro Tip: Hiring an expert like an inspector assures you that your systems comply with all legal requirements and you get the most from your insurance.
What Happens If You Skip Inspections?
Greater Hazards Associated With Fire and Effects on Property
Failing to carry out fire safety inspections may result in catastrophic fires, significant property damage, loss of equipment, or loss of life.
Legal and Financial Penalties
Breaking fire safety rules might mean a substantial fine or even time in court.
NFS tip: Failure to comply can result in increased insurance rates, or your insurance company may refuse to pay a fire claim. Fire safety surveys are necessary due to the safety and legal aspects.
Reputation Damage
Besides the financial and legal perils of a fire, it can also cause major harm to your businesses reputation. Customers may not return to a business with an unsafe track record, particularly if the fire was preventable. Emphasizing fire safety fosters trust among both clients and staff.
Fire safety inspections are about protecting your employees, and keeping your business out of the way of avoidable risk. Prepare for what will happen, not for what you’d like to happen.
Schedule a fire inspection today to have peace of mind that your business is safe, compliant and prepared for the future.
Keen to book in a thorough fire safety inspection? Call Brazas Fire today and allow our experienced professionals to protect your business.