Coping with a fire in a professional environment can be a chaotic experience. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon. Some 3,300 annual office fires were recorded between 2007 and 2011. To ensure the safety of staff and property alike, devise a practical fire safety plan for emergencies. Doing so can help you protect your team and limit excessive fire and smoke damage.

How to Create an Office Fire Safety Plan

1. Create a Task Force

Assigning certain roles to specific employees is enormously helpful during a fire because it establishes a sense of order in the chaos. Pick leaders for different sections of the office—people who are responsible for accounting for their team's presence by doing a headcount and ensuring all bathrooms are empty. They should have an assistant who is in charge of informing employees of the situation and contacting the authorities. Meanwhile, guides should know the correct exit strategy from the building so they can lead people out in a calm manner. 

2. Devise a Clear Route

Though your guides may know how to leave the office, that way might not be safe if there’s a threat of smoke damage or flames emanating from the door. Determine at least two safe routes for escape. Each should be marked with clear lighting. Also, agree on a specific gathering spot outside the office to perform another headcount.

3. Evaluate Fire Safety Equipment

By law, all commercial buildings must have fire extinguishers. These should be refilled at least once a decade or replaced at the 12-year mark. Your property should also be equipped with a working fire alarm; when this device detects the threat of smoke damage or a blaze, it should automatically sound an alarm to alert everyone to leave the premises. The office should also have adequate emergency lighting. This provides sufficient illumination if the power is disrupted to ensure safe passage on stairs and through corridors. 

After an office fire, turn to the professionals at Elite Contracting & Consulting. Proudly serving clients throughout southern Illinois and St. Louis, MO, the company can help return your building to functionality following fire and smoke damage. Visit the restoration service professionals online for more information on their offerings. Call (314) 797-5220 to speak with a representative.