With more than 100,000 fires happening in non-residential structures each year, office fires are a real threat for those working in them.
Check out this video of a staged office fire to see how quickly it can get out of control.
In less than 10 minutes, this office fire is burning out of control and would have posed a serious threat to anyone in the area. Here are some safety tips for office workers to help keep them safe.
Store paper and flammable material away from electronics. Sparks from electronics are one of the more common sources of office fires.
Keep exits unlocked and unblocked. Be certain that there are no desks or office equipment blocking any exits in your office building.
Create and practice a fire escape plan. All office workers should know multiple escape routes out of the building. Practice fire drills at least twice per year. Have a designated meeting place outside so everyone can be accounted for.
Know your office layout. In an emergency, there may be little to no lighting. It is a good idea to know how far your work area is from the nearest exits in case you need to feel your way to safety.
Remain calm. In any emergency, your best bet of surviving unscathed is remain calm. You will be able to make important decisions, remember escape routes and remember other important safety tips like feeling a door knob for heat before opening it.
Stay close to the floor. Smoke will rise in the event of a fire, so stay low to be able to breathe better.
Always use the stairs. Stay away from elevators as they can become stalled in fires leaving you trapped inside.
Do not go back inside for any reason. Re-entering a building is extremely dangerous. Do not try to be a hero. Let firefighters do the job they were trained to do.
Following these tips will surely help your office and the people that work there stay safe in the event of a fire. If you are an office manager or facility manager, be sure to have your fire alarms and fire suppression systems inspected regularly by a licensed professional.
At Texas Security & Surveillance, we can assist your business with all its fire alarm needs. If you’re a business in Austin, Texas, call us today at (512) 693-4003.
