What Are the Most Common Fire Hazards in the Office Environment?
A fire can spring up just about anywhere, and your office might be at risk. Electronics like your computers, lights, and extension cables may malfunction and cause a fire, and the same goes for space heaters when they’re left on too long. Office clutter may also block fire escape lanes, making people more vulnerable to the flame. Here’s more on the most common fire hazards in the office environment.
Electronics
Office spaces use a great deal of electricity, and electrical problems can lead to fires. Have your electrician inspect your office regularly so you can catch problems early on. Turn off your lights and computers and unplug your chargers at the end of the day to reduce your risk of a fire.
Blocked Lanes
Everyone needs a safe way to exit the building when there’s a fire, so you and your employees should have an escape plan in the event of an emergency. This means you need to keep the evacuation lanes clear. Too much clutter in the office can prevent people from getting out of the building in a safe and orderly fashion. This can cause people to panic and result in personal injury, so keep your exit strategy in mind and don’t let clutter build up and block the escape routes.
Space Heaters
In many cases, space heaters aren’t allowed in office spaces. If you do have a space heater in your office, remember to turn it off before you leave. Leaving a space heater on can be extremely dangerous, especially if the heater is positioned near any kind of combustible materials. Space heaters also tend to fall over, which makes them even more dangerous. Only use space heaters that have automatic turn off switches, so they don’t start a fire if they do tip over.
With the help of Kazal Fire Protection, Inc., you can protect your office from potential fires and give your employees some peace of mind. Look through our website or call us at (520) 323-1518 to learn about our fire protection systems today.