Accidents happen, and they generally tend to happen when you least expect them. Often people are extra cautious about making their home safe from fire accidents by taking necessary measures of installing fire suppression systems and keeping flammable substance secure. The same level of precaution should be taken at a workplace as a person spends more time in their workplace rather than their home. Hence securing workplace from fire accidents is highly essential. So here are some essential things to keep in mind if you want to prevent a workplace fire.

Keep Everything in Order

During any emergency, clutter causes chaos. When you have a disorganized office with everything out of order, emergencies can become more chaotic. For example, if all the electrical are not marked and kept separate from the main area where the employee work desks are, it would become difficult to switch them off in case of a fire accident. This will create more chaos during an emergency. Also, if you have papers and files lying around openly, it becomes a good fuel for the fire to spread easily. To avoid fueling the fire accidents, ensure that everything in your workplace is kept in place.

Maintain Cleanliness

Every workplace should have a timely disposal of waste not only to maintain cleanliness but also to prevent fire accidents. Keeping waste paper in bins can act as fuel in case of fire. Also, keeping useless boxes stacked in the workspace can cause obstruction in your way during a fire exit attempt. So make sure you keep your office clean of waste and unwanted clutter to prevent fire accidents.

Perform Timely Maintenance

Different types of electrical equipment are a part of every workplace. Whether it is simple computers with data centers or complicated equipment that needs complex engineering, any electrical device poses a risk of fire if not taken care of. If timely maintenance of such equipment are not performed, the equipment could overheat and cause a fire. You also need to ensure that your fire suppression systems are maintained and tested from time to time so that they do not dysfunction during a fire accident.

Manage Chemicals Safely

If your unit deals with chemicals, it is extremely essential to label all the chemicals you use appropriately so that no one uses the wrong mix of chemicals that can cause fire accidents. Always keep a file of instructions to use these chemicals handy as well. Also, when storing such chemicals be mindful of storing them at proper temperature with adequate ventilation. Protective gears to handle such chemicals should be available for the employees.

Be Cautious of Flammables

Industrial units use different types of gases and fuels to run their heavy equipment or machinery. They even have to store such fuels in reserve for sudden need. When storing such fuels, ensure that the containers are not leaky. Provide extra ventilation that releases vapors and flammable particles outside so that they do not accumulate and pose a fire hazard. If you use welding equipment, keep an open space to weld so that the sparks do not cause fire accidents.

Choose Proper Fire Suppression Systems

The common misconception among people is that any type of fire suppression system works on any type of fire. This is wrong. Different types of fire need different types of fire suppression mechanisms to suppress the fire. Based on your business and the type of fire hazard that can happen in your business, you need to install a fire suppression system. For example, if you own a commercial kitchen, you will have to install a wet chemical fire suppression system. Also, make sure your suppression systems have fully charged batteries and refilled solutions of extinguishing chemicals.

Adhere to Guidelines

As per the Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, it is essential to inspect, maintain and install fire protection equipment in a building that is a workplace. When installing a fire suppression system in your premises, you need to adhere to the codes and standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These standards are predetermined to provide proper guidance for all types of fire safety.

Conduct Mock Fire Drills

It is essential that your employees are aware of what they should do in case of a fire accident. For this purpose, you need to conduct fire training and run mock fire drills. Conducting mock fire drills is highly essential as it makes the employees habituated of the proper fire exit to use in case of a real fire accident in the premises. Fire mock drills are not just about exiting the premises. It is a comprehensive plan in which you need to assign drill captains who will be in charge of forming smaller groups and helping them exit. Also, you need to inform the employees about where to assemble after exiting the premises so that each employee is accounted for.

Install Fire Safety Signs

People tend to exit a chaotic situation better if they know what they have to do and where they have to go. Installing proper exit and fire safety signs will make people aware of which exits to use and where the fire safety hydrants are to extinguish the fire. You could also use extra signs to identify the designated areas of safety where the people need to assemble in case they need to be evacuated.

Fire safety is more of a necessity than an obligation for any workplace. One should not only do it to comply with the safety rules of the government but also to ensure that their work premise is a safe place for their employees. So make it your responsibility to make your workplace safe for your employees by installing fire suppression systems today.