Learning About Fire Extinguishers: 3 Steps for Protecting Your Business

3/7/2020 (Permalink)

Being able to use an extinguisher with confidence can help your employees handle small fires at your business.

Fire Preparedness

Fire preparedness can be an important aspect of protecting your Indian Hill,OH, business from damage. While safety features such as a sprinkler system and posted evacuation procedures are useful, having a fire extinguisher in each room and knowing how to use it before a blaze breaks out can mean the difference between minor fire damage and having to make extensive repairs to your building.

1. Locate

If you rent office space, your landlord may provide you with extinguishers in areas where a blaze might break out, such as in a room with electronic equipment or in a breakroom that features a microwave or toaster oven. If you own the building, take time to learn what extinguisher sizes and types are appropriate. Water, dry chemical, multipurpose and CCO2 models are all available for public purchase.

2. Plan

When a fire breaks out, employees who do not know how to use a fire extinguisher may panic and try to employ other means to put out the blaze. However, this can have serious consequences. For example, if your restaurant’s cook tries to put out a grease-based kitchen fire with water, or strike it with a dish towel, the flames are likely to spread rather than be extinguished. Consider asking a fire damage and smoke cleanup company to help you with annual inspections and training tips to ensure all your employees are up to speed.

3. Practice

Being able to use an extinguisher with confidence can help your employees handle small fires at your business. Practice in a controlled area a few times a year and hold drills so that each of your employees knows how to handle the unit when a fire breaks out. Teach them to aim at the fire’s base and sweep the extinguisher back and forth until it is out.

Small fires can spread quickly and devastate your Indian Hill, OH, business. Knowing where to locate the nearest fire extinguisher, and how to use it, could help you snuff out a blaze before it can do any major damage.