At Millennium Fire and Security, we believe that no one should have to experience a fire. As a commercial business owner or manager, being aware of possible causes of fires in your workplace and safeguarding against them is a smart practice. There are three main causes of workplace fires: cooking and kitchen fires, electrical fires, and debris fires.

Cooking and Kitchen Fires

Cooking appliances such as toasters, microwaves, stoves, and even coffee makers have the potential to start fires. Not only can the appliances themselves start fires, but so can the disposable products commonly used in the kitchen, such as napkins, towels, and paper plates and cups. These items should be stored in separate cabinets or drawers and remind employees to stay close while appliances are in use. At the end of the day, unplug devices before leaving and always make sure nothing is visibly wrong, such as frayed wires or grease build-up. Employees should receive fire safety training for all equipment in the office, and the kitchen should have a poster with fire safety tips.

Electrical Fires

All office spaces have electrical equipment, whether it is limited to lights and air conditioning or also includes manufacturing equipment. This means that many electrical cords are running throughout the office that can become frayed or otherwise damaged. If these damaged cords remain in the office, there is a chance that these wires could short out and cause a fire. Inspecting your electrical equipment frequently to replace these damaged wires will reduce your chance of an electrical fire. Examples of electrical hazards include faulty or loose wiring, overloaded power strips, and ancient electrical equipment. All places of business are legally required to mitigate their risk of electrical fires by ensuring all equipment functions correctly and the facility is up to the current electrical code.

Debris Fires

An unfortunate number of fires are started through carelessness with standard office debris. Office buildings are filled with flammable material and have multiple opportunities to create fire hazards. Papers stacked up on desks, multiple fans or space heaters plugged into a single outlet, furniture placement blocking ventilation, and even a casually tossed cigarette butt that lands in the wrong place outside are all fire hazards. When these office buildings are used for industrial or manufacturing facilities or any business that uses machinery and equipment, there are even more hazards. Dust can build up and overly greased machines can burn easily. Fuel to run equipment can be flammable and can accidentally spill or leak onto the ground if not properly contained. Ignoring faulty equipment or improperly using equipment can lead to fires.

Fire Preparedness

In the office, preparedness is key. Know what to do if there is a fire. While fire prevention systems are there to help, you still need to be knowledgeable of what to do in the case of a fire to save lives and avoid injuries. If you see or hear any signs of a fire, grab the fire extinguisher. If the fire is small enough, you’ll be able to extinguish it quickly and avoid major damage. Make sure your employees are trained on the proper use of fire extinguishers as part of your fire safety training. However, if the fire extinguisher can’t handle the fire, evacuate the office immediately. Activate your fire alarm system to sound the alarm and warn others that there is a fire danger. Make sure to call 911 so authorities can arrive at the location quickly. Make a plan ahead of time and practice your plan as a fire drill so everyone will know what to do when the alarm is heard. Every business should have a fire alarm system installed.

Along with knowing the common causes of fires and implementing important safety precautions, installing a fire safety system is the right and responsible safety measure. Do not substitute a safety system with your knowledge of fire response. Protect your business with both safety measures. At Millennium Fire and Security, Inc., we can provide a fire alarm system that includes smoke detectors, manual pull stations, and more. We want our customers to have the best safety systems, and we will work with your budget to make sure you have the system that keeps you safe and protected. Call us now at 407-890-0506.