Photo of fire exit sign

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), there are approximately 3,350 office fires per year in the United States.  The 3,350 annual office fires result in approximately 112 million in property damage to business owners.  When thinking about fire safety for your office, prevention is key.

The NFPA reports that approximately 30% of office fires result from a cooking accident.  Many offices are equipped with small kitchens, and it stands to reason that while cooking at work, employees can be absent minded while thinking about getting back to their desks.  Reminder notes or checklists are important in office kitchens to heighten awareness about turning off hot plates, small stoves, etc.

It is also important to make sure circuits are not overloaded.  A copy machine, computers, and an appliance or two can put a strain on one circuit, and extension cords can easily overheat and catch fire.  Making sure everyone in the office is aware of electrical overload possibilities is one way to avoid an office fire.  An unknowing worker can mistakenly plug a small space heater into an otherwise overloaded electrical system and create a devastating fire.

Candles are another culprit of office fires.  A lighted candle in the vicinity of a stack of paper or tissue box can easily result in an office fire, causing a loss of production, and perhaps a loss of life. Business owners need to be keenly aware of fire prevention tips for their office and share the tips with their staff.   

Fire marshals dictate the number of fire extinguishers that are necessary for buildings, but business owners should make every effort to go above and beyond what is required.  By having multiple fire extinguishers and teaching workers how to properly extinguish a fire while the fire department is on their way can greatly reduce the risk of a total loss to property and life.  

If your office is in need of additional fire extinguishers, sprinkler installation, or other emergency fire prevention products, contact the experts at Fire Extinguisher Sales and Service for a free site analysis today!