How to Minimize Fire Damage to Your Commercial Property

7/24/2019 (Permalink)

How to To Minimize Commercial Fire Damage

Every businesses in Elizabethtown, KY, should develop disaster preparation plans that incorporate a variety of situations, including a potentially serious inferno. Because of the unpredictable and destructive nature of this peril, adequate fire preparation is essential to safeguarding your building's structural integrity and minimizing financial losses. Employing three key strategies can help you avert an extensive fire damage restoration project.

1. Maintain Fire Sprinkler System

Your building’s fire sprinkler system is a vital safety feature. However, corrosion, damaged pipes, improper calibration and inadequate water pressure may impede its ability to function properly. To minimize the risk of a serious malfunction, complete an annual inspection.
Keeping sprinkler heads clean and clear of potential obstructions are also crucial. Never stack items on high shelves near the ceiling and avoid painting heads. You should also routinely clean them with a damp cloth to remove dust and grime buildup. 

2. Keep Fire Extinguishers Accessible and Usable

Fire extinguishers are another example of valuable fire preparation devices. To facilitate easy retrieval, mount extinguishers in accessible areas throughout your building. You should also post visible signage indicating their location and ensure staff keep those spaces clear of obstructions.
Like your sprinkler system, portable suppression devices require routine inspections. During every evaluation, verify that the gauge is in the green and vital components, such as the nozzle, handle and pin, are intact and undamaged. Promptly replace units with a red gauge or compromised pieces.

3. Train Staff on Fire Suppression Techniques 

Knowing how to use an extinguisher is also important. To ensure your staff react appropriately, train personnel on the PASS protocol.
To engage the device, pull the pin. Then, aim the nozzle at the base of the flames. Squeeze the handle and employ a sweeping motion to smother the inferno.

Although you can minimize the risk, no commercial facility in Hardin and Larue Counties, is immune from the threat of a potential inferno. Completing proactive fire preparation steps can, however, facilitate a prompt response, which may reduce the extent of fire damage.