Worried about keeping your business safe from fires? According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there were 16,500 office and store fires in the United States in 2020, causing $932 million in direct property damage.* Here are some of the most significant fire hazards to watch out for in your business and what you and your employees can do to help avoid risk:

Cooking

Cooking is the leading culprit of office and store fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)*, over one-quarter of office fires are caused by cooking equipment and one-fifth of office fires start in cooking areas or kitchens. Typically, these types of fires start small, but in the end, have the potential to cause significant damage and loss.

Electrical Complications

One of the most dangerous and notable hazards in an office is electrical complications. Exposed wires, without their protective casings, can touch flammable items or other exposed wires and create sparks. These sparks can grow rapidly and surge into a full-fledged fire, which can cause the destruction of valuables if not caught in time.

Also, an electrical malfunction, but less recognized as a hazard, are overloaded outlets. If outlets are overfilled, the circuits will get too hot due to the large amount of energy being carried. This can cause the interior wires to catch fire.

Cluttered and Untidy Workspaces

A clean office is also key to keeping the workplace safe. While a messy office is unlikely to cause a fire in the workplace, it can contribute to the severity of the damage. Dust is highly flammable due to its dry nature, meaning that it can make a rather small fire immense in seconds. Flammable objects, such as debris and papers, kept close to outlets can cause fires to start and feed and spread existing fires. Without proper ventilation in the building, the establishment can burn quickly.

Heaters

Space heaters, in particular, cause a significant threat to workplace safety. Ensure that any space heaters used in your office have the proper safety features, are not placed near combustible materials, and are plugged in properly. It is also important that heaters not be left unattended unless turned off and unplugged.

Smoking

Lastly, smoking proves to be a huge hazard to fire safety in the workplace. If a cigarette is not properly put out and comes into contact with flammable materials, a fire can erupt quickly. As a business owner, it is important to make sure that your employees are not smoking inside offices. Smoking should take place in designated areas outside buildings, and far enough away from the office that it does not present a safety hazard.

What Employers Can Do to Ensure Safety:

• Make sure smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are properly installed and in working order.
• Schedule regular inspections.
• Educate employees about safe workplace practices, fire escape plans, and fire protection equipment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employees be trained on how to use fire extinguishers annually.
• Post fire escape plans and the location of fire safety equipment on every level of the building.
• Keep fire escape paths clear.

What Employees Can Do to Help:

• Maintain clean, uncluttered work areas.
• Watch food as it cooks in kitchens and break rooms.
• Don’t leave machines plugged in overnight if possible.
• Check to ensure electrical outlets and cords are not overloaded or damaged.
• Use portable heaters with automatic shut off; never leave them unattended.
• Plan and practice multiple escape routes in the event one is blocked.

Sources:
*FEMA: Workplace Fire Safety (fema.gov)
*National Fire Protection Association: NFPA | The National Fire Protection Association