Inherent danger
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a federal entity dedicated to workplace and worker safety, estimated 3 percent of casualties that occurred on the job were due to fires in 2007, per the most recent data available. Fire Magazine, a publication devoted to news regarding fires, notes that 60 percent of small businesses fail to re-open after experiencing a fire.
Tips to prevent fires
The Texas Department of Insurance, an agency in the state that covers insurance topics and legislation, suggests minimizing the amount of flammable materials stored in the office. This ranges from batteries and paperwork to packaging materials and beyond. Make sure the materials you do store in the workplace are managed properly to avoid fires.
Alarm.org, an Electronic Security Association website devoted to fire safety, recommends that businesses prevent circuits from becoming overloaded and that wiring from electronics are regularly checked for damage. Damage could include exposure of underlying metal cords.
Ensure that your information is always backed up in either an off-site facility, or in a cloud computing environment, in case the main office is compromised in a fire.
Have a plan that covers all of your prevention and response policies, and adequately communicate all of the points therein to your staff. Place the plans in a visible place, and conduct bi-annual meetings to go over your prevention and response policies. More information on the exact regulations pertaining to plans can be found through the OSHA website.
Minimizing damage in the event of a fire
In addition to evacuation plans and other strategies, always ensure you and your property are comprehensively covered.
Speak to your independent agent to ensure your business and workplace are covered in the event of a fire. This includes not only property and asset coverage, but also liability. Your independent agent can help you navigate your policies and get the right protection against fires.
