Of the sudden disasters that can occur to a business, a fire is one of the most terrifying possibilities. Unlike hurricanes, tornados, and other natural disasters, fire is an imminent threat at all times of the year – it just takes one mistake to cause a fire to break out. As always, the health and safety of all personnel is the most important factor for any business in mitigating the risk of a fire. Fires also spell out lots of potential heartache at the loss of the business’s commercial progress.
This article will guide business owners in best practices for avoiding the devastating possibility of a fire in their brick and mortar establishment – and ways to mitigate losses should a fire occur.
Create a fire evacuation plan
All businesses with on-sight employees are required by law to form an emergency action plan (EAP). In the event that employees need to evacuate due to a fire, they will be safest with a concrete plan already set in place that tells them where they should go to exit as fast as possible.
Properly train employees on fire safety
All employees should be given thorough and attentive fire safety training in order to lessen the possibility of an employee-instigated fire. This is especially important for employees who handle dangerous equipment that, if used incorrectly, could pose a high risk of fire.
Clear signage
Besides the legally-required exit signs over every doorway, a business should be equipped with signage to direct employees safely out of the building in case of fire, as outlined in the business’s emergency action plan. Signage that instructs employees on how to operate equipment safely should also be clearly visible.
Routine maintenance and housekeeping
Many accidents could be easily avoided with routine hazard checks to the premises of a building, as well as clearing any unnecessary clutter that could pose a fire hazard.
Insurance plans for recovery from a fire
Here are two critical coverage options that are most essential in the event of a commercial fire:
- Property loss due to fire is usually covered by commercial property insurance, which provides reimbursement for lost merchandise, equipment, and more.
- General liability insurance protects the business from legal concerns that may result from employee harm during a fire.
Being a fire-conscious business owner and leader will serve you well as you grow your assets and build treasured connections with new employees. In our next article in this series, we’ll tackle best practices for flood safety in a commercial setting.
Superior Insurance and Auto Tags has received consistent acclaim as one of the most responsive and reliable insurance providers in Pennsylvania. We offer a wide variety of plan options for every walk of life. Business owners can rest assured that they are covered in case of an emergency – as well as families and vehicle owners. Give us a call today to speak to a trusted agent and to begin your journey with us!