Best Practices for Fire Safety in Commercial Buildings

Fire Safety

Fire outbreaks aren’t something you can predict. They strike anywhere and at any time. You might have to pay a hefty price if you shrug off fire safety.

Just this month, an early morning fire damaged the Andalusia Bar and Grill and the Grandview Plaza in Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania. Authorities reported that roads between Tennis Avenue and Elwood Avenue had to shut down due to the two-alarm blaze outbreak.

About 70 firefighters responded to the scene. Fortunately, the inferno was put out in an hour, and no injuries were reported.

Such incidents make headlines almost every day. Yesterday, it was someone else’s building; tomorrow, it could be yours. Thus, it’s important to safeguard your commercial building from fires.

While there is no way to fireproof your building, you can significantly reduce the risk by keeping your building fire-ready.

Here, we’ll discuss some of the best practices for fire safety to prevent accidents and save lives.

1. Install and Maintain Fire Detection Systems

It’s an obvious one, but often, the most basic fire prevention measures get overlooked.
A lot of people, unfortunately, don’t install fire detection systems because they assume a fire won’t occur. This mindset is dangerous, as blazes happen unexpectedly and spread quickly.

Installing fire detection systems is a must for every building owner. Your building should have smoke detectors, heat sensors, and fire alarms. These are the first line of defense. They provide early warnings, giving people enough time to evacuate safely.

Installing is just the first step, however. Test the systems regularly to ensure they are working properly. Don’t do it yourself. Hire a qualified technician, for they can detect issues that you might miss and ensure everything is up to code. Replace the batteries as needed. Ideally, you should replace them twice a year.

The idea behind this is to make sure these systems are in good working order at all times. That is because when a fire strikes, there’s no room for error.

2. Make Exit Routes Easy to Access

Exit routes allow people to escape a building during an emergency. Sure, your commercial building—whether it’s a shopping mall, hotel, or convenience store—has one. But is it easy to access?

It won’t serve any purpose if it cannot be accessed when there is a fire outbreak. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) instructs keeping exit routes free and unobstructed. There should be no equipment or materials placed—either permanently or temporarily—within the exit route, lays down the government agency.

So, make sure the exit is clearly marked with an illuminated sign that is visible even when the power goes out. The hallways and stairwells should also be clear of obstacles—no storage, no random piles of furniture. That way, people can move quickly without tripping or getting stuck.

In an emergency, every second counts, and easy access to exits can save lives.

3. Invest in the Right Fire Extinguisher

Don’t just grab any fire extinguisher you see at the store. Different types of fires need different types of extinguishers. Having the wrong one could make the situation worse.

A water-based extinguisher (Class A) works for blazes involving paper or wood fires. But trying that on an electrical fire will cause it to spread. You’ll need a Class C fire extinguisher for that.
It’s also a good idea to have a Class A and Class B fire extinguisher. They help put out blazes involving solid combustibles like wood and flammable liquids such as petrol.

Aqueous film forming foam, or AFFF is a popular option to extinguish Class B fires, but it also douses Class A blazes effectively. It’s a versatile option, but steer clear of it.

AFFF, TruLaw remarks, has been linked to several types of cancer, including breast, bladder, liver, kidney, and colon. PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances found in these foams are blamed for causing cancer. Every single study released to date has found a link between PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and AFFF.

A recently filed AFFF lawsuit by a firefighter alleges that years of exposure to AFFF caused him to develop kidney cancer. The suit filed by Douglas J. Ferrigno and his wife, Caren, names dozens of AFFF manufacturers and distributors, including DuPont and 3M Company, as defendants.

Ferrigno and his wife’s suit aside, over 10,000 lawsuits are filed in the MDL. Hence, for your as well as everyone’s safety, go for fluorine-free foam instead of AFFF.

4. Manage Flammable Materials Safely

You might be surprised at what’s considered flammable. Everything from cleaning products and paint to office supplies can pose a fire risk if not stored properly.

Store flammable items in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from heat sources or anything that could spark. For high-risk items, use fireproof cabinets or containers.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign advises closing flammable solvent containers tightly when not in use. Also, don’t forget to mark them clearly, so everyone knows what’s inside and how to handle it safely.

In the end, fire safety in commercial buildings boils down to being proactive and prepared. If you keep these best practices in mind, you’ll be far better equipped to prevent fires, protect lives, and avoid devastating property damage.

At the end of the day, fire safety is not just about ticking boxes or following regulations. But it’s about keeping everyone safe.