If Your Building Catches Fire, Will You Be Prepared?

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

Will You Be Ready If Your Building Is Set on Fire?

Whether you own a multi-million-dollar corporation that operates out of a large commercial building or run a small, family-owned business that works out of a one-room retail store, it is important that you have a fire contingency plan in place. Your emergency plan should be well thought out; otherwise, you risk disorganization, chaos, confusion and injury in the event of a real emergency. To minimize damages and increase emergency response time, your evacuation plan should include the following:

• Minimum requirements
  
• An evacuation route
  
• A safe zone
  
• Emergency contacts
  
  

Minimum Requirements

Your contingency plan should, at the very least, include an action plan that is specific to your industry and worksite. An insurance agency can help you assess your risks, and the local fire department or a Lochbuie, CO, fire damage control team can help you draft a plan that addresses both those exposures and any obstacles posed by your building itself (e.g., layout, structural features, etc.).

Plan an Evacuation Route

Your evacuation plan should include a map of the best evacuation routes for each area of the building. In addition to showing occupants how to safely exit the building, your plan should also give clear directions to the nearest safety zone.

Establish a Safe Zone

Once all of your building’s occupants have made it out safely, they’ll need somewhere to go. Pick one location per emergency route where all occupants can gather. You will want to get a headcount and assess damages, which can be difficult to do if everyone is scattered across town.

Include Emergency Contacts

Your evacuation plan should include a list of emergency contacts, such as the local fire department, the Lochbuie, CO, fire restoration team, local medical centers, a burn unit and an organization that deals in chemicals and hazardous waste.

Every business’s contingency plan is going to be different, but every business should have one. For more tips on what makes a strong evacuation plan, visit the United States Department of Labor.