A workplace fire can lead to major business interruption and costly commercial damage claims for business property owners.

According to the United States Fire Administration, in 2023 there were 110,000 nonresidential building fires and losses. These fires caused 130 deaths, 1,200 injuries, and cost property owners $3,164,400,000 in dollar loss (that’s a lot of zeros!).

The bad news is trending UP. Over the last 10 years, the fire hazards suffered at commercial storefronts, warehouses, and other non-residential properties has gotten worse:

• A 19% increase in fires

• A 70% increase in deaths

• A 10% increase in dollar loss, putting great financial strain on commercial property owners.

Prevention and planning are essential since emergencies happen when we least expect them. Understanding what leads to a workplace fire can save lives AND help business owners reduce their financial risk by avoiding denied home insurance claims and disputes with an insurance carrier.

Below are some workplace fire safety tips that you and your team should put into practice as soon as possible to help avoid the safety and repair costs associated with a business fire.

What to do Before a Workplace Fire

1. Fire Protection Equipment

In order to protect your business and ensure the safety of your employees, you should consider investing in fire-fighting and fire protection equipment, such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinklers, fire hydrants, etc.

It’s also common to install a fire protection system, which is a product designed to detect a fire within a building and prevent it from spreading. 

Basic fire protection systems consist of a smoke detector and sprinkler, but based on your business needs, you can consider installing more advanced systems. 

Did you know that, according to NFPA, 97% of fires were kept to the room of origin when sprinklers were present? 

It’s definitely a cost-effective way to prevent further fire damage.

Make sure to:

• Maintain easy access to electrical control panels. If they are obstructed during an emergency, it will take longer to shut them down and it will put your employees in danger.

• Ensure easy access to fire alarm equipment and avoid blocking sprinklers and fire alarms with paint or dust.

• Test the fire alarm system regularly. You don’t want to have a system that does not work when you need it!

Proper fire protection also strengthens your position if you later need to file a commercial property insurance claim or negotiate with an insurance adjuster

2. Emergency and Evacuation Planning

It is always a good idea to be prepared for emergencies. Therefore, conduct a fire drill at least once per year to make sure that all employees are aware of safety protocols in case of a fire.

Fire escape plans should be posted on every level of a building. This allows not only employees but visitors, too, to easily find exit locations and fire protection equipment.

3. Designated Smoking Areas

Allow smoking on your worksite? If so, every building should have strictly designated areas for smoking that are provided with safe options to properly dispose of cigarettes. 

Smoking should be forbidden in storage areas and in work zones where sparks are likely to occur. This will help reduce the possibility of accidental fires in or close to your building.

4. Regular Maintenance

In order to limit the possibility of overheating, sparks, and short circuits, ensure that all your machinery and items work properly.

– Fire Protection System: Schedule maintenance services when due.

– Electrical Items: Unless you’re qualified, you should avoid performing repairs on any electrical items. Instead, reach out to professionals or replace the item directly. Also, it’s a good practice to leave some space behind appliances that heat up to give them room to cool down. Remember to unplug them at the end of each day. 

– Wire Replacement: How often do you check your power cords? To be safe, you should check them every 2-3 months and replace them if the protective coating is damaged. Also, avoid “octopus wiring” (crowding an electrical outlet with multiple extensions and junctions). A good rule to keep in mind is only to use one extension cord per outlet.

5. Safe Storage of Chemicals & Flammable Materials

If you possess chemicals or other flammable substances in your building, make sure to store them in their original containers in a safe place and use them responsibly. It is not uncommon that flammable liquid vapors explode when ignited by a spark. To ensure maximum safety, you may want all your employees to be aware of and understand instructions associated with these chemicals.   

Unfortunately, implementing workplace fire prevention actions does not always prevent a fire. 

If a fire occurs, call 911 immediately and notify all coworkers.

What to Do After a Workplace Fire

Even with strong prevention, fires still happen—and when they do, business owners often face a complicated process with their insurance adjuster.

If your business has suffered fire damage and you believe you should file a commercial damage claim, contact Cleveland Public Adjusters. We deal directly with the insurance company, document all losses, and make sure you receive the full settlement you’re owed.