A close-up of people using fire extinguishers outside.

Fire-savvy small business

Updated May 9, 2017 . AmFam Team

It can feel a bit strange to prepare for a fire you’re not sure will ever occur – but it’s actually one of the smartest things you can do for your small business. And the best part? It doesn’t require all that much work or energy.

Start simply with a plan to prep your employees for the unexpected:  

Inspect first: Have your office, plant or facility inspected for fire safety and ensure compliance with fire codes and regulations.

Sound the alarm: Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in appropriate locations.

Invest in equipment: Consider an automatic sprinkler system, fire hoses and fire-resistant doors and walls.

Protect your people: Establish a system for warning your employees. Plan how you will communicate with people with hearing impairments or other disabilities and those who do not speak English.

Call the pros: Establish a process for alerting the fire department.

Make it routine: Plan and practice how people will evacuate in a fire.

After checking each of these tips off your list, you can focus on growing your business, knowing that you’re proactively protecting what matters most. 

This article is for informational purposes only. The information is widely available through different sources. This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Compliance does not guarantee conformity with building codes, or federal, state, or local laws and regulations, nor does it guarantee coverage. We do not make any guarantees or promise any results based on this information.

The loss control services listed above follow generally accepted safety standards. Compliance does not guarantee that you will be in conformance with any building code, or federal, state, or local regulations regarding safety or fire. Compliance does not ensure the absolute safety of your operations or place of business.

 

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