Tips for Preventing Commercial Building Fires

inside an office building If you own a commercial building or are in charge of facility maintenance, fire protection should be a top priority. Statistics gathered by the U.S. Fire Administration estimate 96,800 non-residential fires occurred over the past nine years, resulting in 145 deaths, 1,550 injuries and $2 billion in damages.

Many of these fires could have been avoided or had reduced damage, if a solid fire protection plan had been in place. To help prevent a fire in your commercial building, consider the main factors that cause fires to start.

Maintain Kitchens

Many commercial buildings have cafeterias or employee kitchens with cooking appliances. Fires can occur as a result of human error or faulty appliances. Since kitchens present a high risk for fires, these areas should be closely monitored and maintained. Regularly check the equipment, install a sprinkler system and have fire extinguishers readily available to help reduce fire risk.

Heighten Security

Arson is another common cause for fires in commercial buildings. Studies indicate most intentional fires occur after working hours, between 3 p.m. and 12 a.m. Arsonists often start fires in bathrooms, dumpsters and near trash cans where a small spark can start a large fire in a short amount of time. To reduce the risk of arson:

  • Empty trash cans every day
  • Keep dumpsters away from the building
  • Use motion detector cameras that will alert security of a fire
  • Install fire curtains near entrances most at-risk for a fire

HVAC Maintenance

HVAC system malfunctions can also lead to commercial building fires. Central heating systems, water heaters, space heaters and other appliances all present fire hazards when used improperly or left unmaintained. Regular professional inspections of your building’s HVAC system and water heater are strongly recommended. The place where your HVAC system is located should also be outfitted with smoke alarms to detect a fire as quickly as possible.
 
The team at M.J. Fahy & Sons can install and repair a commercial fire protection system for your building. To learn more about our services, contact us today!