Share:

In 2017, over 100,000 non-residential fires broke out. As an employer, it is your responsibility to take preventative measures to ensure the safety of your staff. Part of this commercial fire protection plan should include running drills to ensure everyone knows what actions to take in case of an emergency. The guide below looks closer at this process. 

Why Fire Drills Matter

Unfortunately, the rate of fires is increasing. The cause of these is numerous—from cooking-related incidents to malfunctioning or overheated office equipment. By preparing your staff for this possibility, not only can you reduce the number of unnecessary injuries, but also possibly the financial losses involved. While having a plan in place is a worthwhile start, the act of physically going through a drill can give people a clearer sense of what they are supposed to do. It can help identify obstacles that prevent your employees from clearing the building quickly so the plans can be adjusted.

How to Plan Them

commercial fire protectionCreate a team to draft room-specific instructions for staff members, describing the closest exit and the steps they should take to get there. They might also assign individuals to count the members of their team after successfully exiting the building to confirm that everyone got out safely; the counters should then know who to report this information to. These commercial fire protection documents should not only be distributed among all employees but also attached in prominent places around the offices. 

Workplaces should have a planned fire drill at least once per year. However, it may be beneficial to do them more often, especially if you make changes to your evacuation plan or bring on many new employees. Unannounced fire drills can also help more accurately measure response time. In addition to this, consider training some members of staff to use fire extinguishers, in case they can halt the problem in its track.

 

If you’re looking to improve your commercial fire protection plan, GMW Fire Protection in Anchorage, AK, will help. The company offers fire alarms, fire sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and emergency and exit lighting. With more than 15 years of experience, the team of professionals can also offer advice related to your evacuation plan. Visit the company’s website to see a full list of services and commercial fire protection products available. To request service or speak with a team member, call (907) 336-5000.

tracking