While this month is National Fire Prevention Month, fire safety should be top of mind for business owners throughout the year. In 2022 alone, non-residential structure fires reported to fire departments resulted in 1,400 injuries, 150 deaths and over $4 billion in property damage according to the National Fire Protection Association.

However, many fires that occur at businesses are preventable. Here are 15 business fire safety tips for National Fire Prevention Month to consider implementing at your business to reduce the risk.

1. Identify Workplace Fire Hazards

Identifying fire hazards specific to your business is a great first step for fire prevention. When you and your employees know what to look out for, it’s easier to take proactive steps to cut down on the risks. Top hazards include flammable materials, combustible liquids, dust and debris, cigarettes, power sockets, kitchens and appliances.

2. Practice Good Housekeeping

A messy workplace can be a problem for a business in more ways than one. Clutter in areas where work needs to be done is just one more thing that could catch on fire from heat or sparks. However, clutter can also be in the way if your team needs to evacuate. Good housekeeping can lower these risks.

3. Designate Smoking Areas

Even with today’s more health-conscious population, cigarettes are still a top cause of commercial fires. Establish a smoking area away from your building. Encourage employees, customers and visitors to use the designated area and always put out their cigarettes safely. Provide commercial receptacles for safe collection and disposal.

4. Maintain Working Fire Alarms

Fire alarms are the first line of defense for both life and property. Working alarms give building occupants time to evacuate safely and speed emergency response minimizing damage to your property. Make sure to test alarms regularly, ideally once a month, and replace every 10 years. Create an easy way for reporting malfunctioning units.

5. Address Electrical Hazards

Electrical fires are another top risk for businesses. While faulty wiring and accidents cause some fires, others can be prevented. Look out for overloaded power strips and extension cords, mismatched two- and three-pronged connectors, pinched and frayed power cords and overheated equipment. Have qualified electricians address any repairs.

6. Check Your Appliances

Whether a kitchen range or a back-office copier, appliances can be particular about their environment. All appliances are prone to overheating, so leaving space around the back for excess heat to dissipate is crucial. It’s also important to keep flammable paper and fabrics away from their motors and other heat-producing components.

7. Inspect Your Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers have saved many lives and properties from fire, but they do require regular maintenance. Check the tag on your extinguishers and schedule testing and refilling for any expired units. Fire extinguisher training is also available that teach business employees how to use the equipment to put out fires.

8. Service Your Sprinkler Systems

In many businesses, an automated sprinkler system is the primary fire protection system. But these systems can be complex and require regular servicing. Gauges, pumps, backflow check valves, drains and more have inspection and testing schedules that vary between monthly to quarterly or yearly. Service prevents leaks as well as system failure.

9. Upgrade Your Fire Suppression

Today’s automated fire suppression systems offer numerous options for protecting your building and its contents. While water sprinklers are familiar, its also possible to upgrade to special wet chemical systems that quickly stop kitchen fires, dry chemical systems safe for hazardous materials and clean agent systems that safeguard electronics.

10. Check Exit and Route Signage

In a fire emergency, a few seconds can make all the difference. Having fire exit and escape route signage that lights the way to safety is key. Smoke can easily obscure visibility, so check that automatically lighted signs are working. Posted escape route signage can also help customers and visitors escape who are unfamiliar with the building.

11. Store Flammable Materials Safely

Safely storing flammable materials in correct containers away from hazards is another way to help minimize fire risks. Primary workplace hazards can include embers from lit cigarettes, open flame sources such as cooktops and furnaces, heat-producing cooking equipment and other hot surfaces, and electrical equipment capable of producing sparks.

12. Create an Emergency Plan

Creating an OSHA-compliant emergency plan isn’t just a good idea, many jurisdictions require one. A good plan should describe evacuation routes and procedures and account for the safety of workers who shut down critical equipment or have disabilities. How to handle fire alarms, new employee training and post-evacuation head counts can also be included.

13. Hold Trainings for Workers

Training your workforce on fire safety policies and procedures can save lives and reduce the risk of fire at your business. Trained employees are a great asset when it comes to fire prevention. The right knowledge leads to workers being more careful around the workplace and knowing what to do if a fire does break out.

14. Appoint a Company Fire Warden

Every business should consider appointing one or more persons to serve as the company’s fire warden. This fire safety lead can help with assessing fire hazards, educating about fire safety and leading the response if there’s an emergency. Managers, shift leaders, team leaders and human resources managers are good picks for this role.

15. Conduct Regular Fire Drills

Fire drills help you evaluate your plan and identify areas for improvement. For instance, you may find bottlenecks in an evacuation route that needs to be addressed or realize your initial instructions to employees weren’t understood. Routine drills should happen often enough that everyone gets practice. If you’ve recently added to your team, hold a new drill.

Insurance Protection Against Fire

Proactive steps will go a long way toward protecting your business and your employees from the risks of fire. But even with all the right actions, your business could still experience a fire.

Even small fires can do a lot of damage, result in lost sales and rack up big repair bills. It’s smart to ensure you have the proper insurance protection to mitigate the risk.

The Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions Insurance Program offers tailored coverage specifically made to protect against the risks facing Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions franchises, including fire, third-party claims and more. Learn how you can protect your business today.