Fire Safety in Commercial Properties: Strategies for Prevention and Preparedness

Extensive and costly destruction resulting from preventable fires is a significant fear for owners and managers of commercial properties. Such incidents result in billions of dollars in property damage annually and contribute to thousands of injuries and fatalities.

The safety of your business, employees, or tenants is a major concern, so ensuring you have the appropriate fire protection technology and emergency preparedness plans in place is crucial. 

The term “commercial real estate” encompasses industrial facilities, retail, restaurants, office space, hotels, or multi-dwelling units like condominium complexes or apartments. A fire in a fully occupied residential building or popular shopping and dining destination could become a disaster that affects your entire community. 

Protect your investment and those who depend on you for employment or shelter with a comprehensive prevention plan and adherence to national fire safety codes and standards. Let’s take a closer look at some strategies for mitigating commercial property fire risk. 

A Proactive Mindset

Taking steps to identify potential hazards before problems arise will help ensure you can minimize the threat of fire. Conducting a thorough fire risk assessment will save lives and avoid loss of property. The professionals at PuroClean of Evanston can help perform this vital analysis.

The Division of Fire Prevention and Building Safety, part of the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, is responsible for conducting regular inspections of buildings for compliance with the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. 

Common fire risks in commercial spaces include faulty or outdated electrical wiring, improperly stored flammable materials, grease from industrial or residential kitchen areas, blocked exits,  inadequate emergency lighting, and missing or malfunctioning fire extinguishers. 

Investing in fire suppression systems, heat sensors, and other built-in components prevents damage, injuries, and destruction. In Chicagoland, where historic buildings are abundant, and communities still remember the Great Fire of 1871, property owners should consider consulting with a qualified professional fire protection installation firm that is licensed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. 

Regular inspection and maintenance of smoke detectors, systems, extinguishers, and alarms are essential to preventing a devastating disaster. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers invaluable fire safety resources for owners and managers of business, industrial, and multi-family structures. 

The Benefits of Detailed Planning

Once risks are assessed, property managers should develop thorough policies and protocols to eliminate or minimize these dangers. 

Crafting an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in accordance with OSHA standards and ensuring your employees and tenants understand their roles and responsibilities is critical to prevention and preparedness. The process of designing a comprehensive EAP should involve input from your team as well as any residents on your property. 

Evacuation procedures are an immensely important aspect of any emergency plan. These encompass exit routes, designated safe or meeting areas, and the specific steps to follow in various situations, such as fires, floods, explosions, chemical spills, violence, or extreme weather.

Depending on the purpose and size of your commercial real estate, your EAP may also include establishing an evacuation team that includes floor wardens, stairwell and assembly area monitors, and aides to people with disabilities. 

Conducting regular drills and posting emergency information in highly visible locations will familiarize those who work or reside on your property with what to do when disaster strikes. Communication is key, so create phone/ email trees and designate coordinators and backup contacts.

Having adequate insurance is also an indispensable part of emergency planning. Extreme weather is becoming more common in Chicagoland, and severe storms can bring high winds and lightning, increasing the chances of fires and flooding. 

A surge in national disasters has caused insurance providers to raise premiums and decline certain forms of coverage, so speak to your agent as soon as possible and get the facts about your coverage. 

Building a Community

All-inclusive fire safety for commercial properties takes a collaborative effort between owners, tenants, and managers. Encouraging site-wide participation and adherence to codes and regulations reduces the risk of bodily harm and extensive damage.

The PuroClean Emergency Management Plan (EMP) was designed for commercial clients who want to improve their emergency preparedness. Our program includes comprehensive risk management and assessment for commercial real estate of all types.

Our specialized team is here to play a critical role in minimizing disruptions to your business, assets, or reputation by enabling comprehensive planning and rapid response. We understand the needs of commercial property owners in the Chicagoland area — contact us today!