Fires are one of the most costly and common causes of commercial property damage. Fire mitigation strategies can help you reduce the amount of damage done to your property if a fire occurs.

1. Install Fire Safety Equipment

Installing fire safety systems is one of the most effective ways to reduce the amount of damage done by fires and in many cases, it is a legal requirement. Smoke alarms should be installed in all areas of your building and tested or replaced regularly. Sprinkler systems can help put out small fires before they can spread to other parts of your building. These systems should also be tested regularly and repair fire sprinklers Orange County CA when necessary. Install fire extinguishers and train employees on using them.

2. Practice Fire Drills Regularly

Panic can be one of the most dangerous aspects of a fire emergency. Avoid this by regularly practicing fire drills. Go over your emergency plan with employees and then conduct drills so that they know what to do if a fire occurs. Schedule random fire drills to test how well your employees are executing the plan and make adjustments or schedule retraining as needed.

3. Avoid Clutter

Debris and clutter can be a safety hazard that may cause fires to spread faster and make it more difficult for people to escape the building when a fire occurs. Instruct employees to avoid cluttering walkways and fire escapes with boxes, equipment or other items. Create a designated space for files, inventory and combustible materials. Regularly dispose of old files and other items that you no longer need. Set a schedule to assess your business for potential hazards that need to be addressed and verify that established procedures are being followed.

Fire mitigation strategies can help you avoid serious injuries and substantial property damage. Keep your fire mitigation plan updated and review it at least once per year.