Fire can happen anywhere at any time. The last thing you want is for it to break out inside your business space. In the UK, more than 26,000 fires in the industrial and commercial buildings were attended in the last three years. The impact of a fire incident can be destructive and traumatic, not only financially, but also physically and psychologically.
To prevent a fire from happening and destroying you and your employees’ and customers’ lives, you need to prepare in advance. Prevention is always better than cure. Before your grand store opening, these are the fire-preventing equipment you must have:
- Emergency lighting
Having emergency lighting is a standard must-have that should be observed in all commercial spaces. It serves as the backup light when the power in your building fails. Regularly check your emergency lights and make it a point to secure backup batteries for it.
- Fire alarm
The fire alarm is the key to early detection and early suppression of fire. Getting one for your property will help alert your staff and customers when a fire breaks out in your store. Consider getting a fire alarm monitor too. It has an automatic alert feature that can notify emergency responders when the need arises. It works and warns the responders even when no one’s inside the property to make a call.
- Fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are another must-have in building properties. Make sure to follow the protocols and place your fire extinguisher in a visible and accessible location. You must also do proper maintenance for fire extinguishers. Check, recharge, or replace them whenever necessary.
- Automatic sprinkler system
Getting an automatic sprinkler system for your property can reduce the life risk and damages in case a fire occurs in your place.
These are some of the fire-and emergency-protection gadgets to have in any building. Make sure to get one for your commercial space and follow the building’s safety guidelines to avoid future problems. If you don’t know which type to get, consult alarm companies or fire protection experts to help you identify which items you need for your space.
Aside from preparing the necessary equipment, you also need to watch out for the fire-hazard places around your store. Here are some notes to remember:
- Smoking area – Assign a smoking area outside of your store and make sure that smoking materials are properly disposed of.
- Storage and rubbish areas – Make sure these areas are not blocking any emergency exits. They should also be clutter-free to avoid any accidents from happening.
- Electrical wirings – For lighting and other equipment that use electricity, make sure they are not placed too close to flammable materials. Ensure that each item requiring a regular PAT (portable appliance testing) is observed and maintained.
Fire is one of the worst incidents that can happen to anyone. It can burn everything and leave you with nothing in an instant. That’s why it’s important to take precautions and do all the preventions you can. Make sure you have retail fire systems, fire detection and suppression technologies to protect and keep your property and selves unharmed.
We supply and install reliable retail fire systems to any property in the UK. Contact us to see how we can help you!