Preventing Workplace Fires in Nassau County/North Jacksonville

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to promote a fire-safe workplace.

During the five-year period of 2007-2011, National Fire Protection Association estimates that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 3,340 fires in office properties per year. These fires caused an annual average of four civilian deaths, 44 civilian fire injuries, and $112 million in direct property damage. The vast majority of the fires in this category were in business offices.

Fewer fires occur on the weekends since they are less likely to be fully populated. The peak times of day for these fires were between noon and 2:00 PM. Less than one-third of the fires (31%) occurred between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., but these fires accounted for 67% of the direct property damage.

More than one in every four office property fires (29%) was caused by cooking equipment, but these fires accounted for just 6% of the direct property damage experienced by office properties. Fires that were intentionally set caused the largest share of direct property damage (20%), while causing 10% of office property fires. Electrical distribution and lighting equipment was the second leading cause of office property fires (12%) of fires, while causing 15% of direct property damage.

The following tips promote a fire-safe workplace.

1. Practice good workplace housekeeping. Clutter contributes to fires by providing fuel and by impeding access to exits and emergency equipment.
2. Place oily rags in a covered metal container. This waste must be properly disposed of on a regular basis.
3. Never leave cooking equipment unattended while in use.
4. Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction sparks.
5. Report electrical hazards. Many fires start in faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment. Never attempt electrical repairs unless you are qualified and authorized.
6. Maintain free access to all electrical control panels. Material or equipment stored in front of the panels would slow down the shutting down of power in an emergency situation.
7. Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Provide adequate ventilation when using and storing these substances.
8. Use all precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres such as those containing flammable liquid vapors or fine particles. Use non-sparking tools, and control static electricity as required.
9. Help maintain building security to prevent arson fires. Lock up as instructed; report suspicious persons; and don’t leave combustible rubbish where it can be set on fire outside the building.
10. Smoke only in designated areas, and extinguish smoking materials safely. Never smoke in storerooms or chemical storage areas.
11. Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. Observe clearances when stacking materials.
12. Post emergency telephone numbers as well as the company address by the telephone for quick access if a fire were to start in your work area.
13. Learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher.

SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach / Jacksonville Northeast has the specialized fire and water damage cleanup and restoration training and experience to quickly restore your business to pre-fire condition. Call us at 904.729.2401.

Visit the following links for more information.

Fire Damage Repair and Restoration

Fire Damage Restoration Process

Odor Removal and Deodorization